Mike Ilitch said Little Caesars — which, as a private company, rarely releases hard numbers about its operations — has about 2,500 stores. He said the chain is one area he hopes the next generation of Ilitches will target for growth, and estimates the market could sustain as many as 7,000 stores.

But in his hometown, Ilitch is better known for the Red Wings and Tigers than he is for pizza.

The hockey franchise, which Ilitch acquired in 1982, has been one of his most stunning successes. The team once derided as the "Dead Wings" has won three Stanley Cups under him.

Ilitch bought the Detroit Tigers in 1992. He can point to some achievements as an owner — in particular, building a new home for the team at Comerica Park, which opened in 2000 and this year hosted Major League Baseball's All-Star Game. But the Tigers have logged losing records for 12 of the 13 seasons he has owned them.

Ilitch acknowledged the team is a continuing source of consternation. Noting it took him 15 years before the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup since 1955, he said: "I'm running out of time with the Tigers — we're in our 13th year."

"If we hit the 15-year mark, I'll be very concerned," he added.

Finding the right people to run his businesses has been key to his success in other areas, Ilitch said. His own role has been to provide vision, he said, adding that he is "not a real detail guy."

"Where I think my strength comes in is trying to show more vision, stay ahead of the competition and try to project where you're going to be within the next five years," he said.

The Ilitch family has extensive real estate holdings in downtown Detroit, including the historic Fox Theatre, which the Ilitches have restored and turned into one of the region's premiere venues. But while the Fox restoration has brought widespread praise, some preservationists criticize the Ilitches for failing to redevelop several other neglected landmarks they own.

This year, the family also became a major player in the gambling industry when Marian Ilitch bought out her partners in the MotorCity Casino. One of three Detroit casinos, MotorCity takes in more than $400 million in revenue a year.

Among other holdings are a food distribution company established to supply Little Caesars franchises and a manufacturer of frozen pizza and cookie dough.

"What I like is our spread. You know, we're in manufacturing, we're in entertainment, we're in sports, we're in food," said Mike Ilitch, whose office atop the Fox Theatre complex is packed with memorabilia and photographs, including a black-and-white one of the first Little Caesars. "Did I say casinos?"