Phoenix restaurant owner Jason LeVecke’s efforts to fuel company vehicles with used cooking oil and to accept Mexican pesos in his pizza franchises have made headlines. His national chain of 130 franchise restaurants, including Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s and Pizza Patron in Arizona, Texas and five other states, has made millions.
But LeVecke’s personal passion is helping veterans make successful transitions back to civilian life.
LeVecke, 37, and a south Phoenix resident, is this year’s business community grand marshal for the Carl R. Hayden Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center’s Veterans Day Parade. Le- Vecke grew up in a family who owned restaurants. He earned his first paycheck as a Carl’s Jr. cook and cashier.
In 1997, at age 26, he took a break from the food industry and joined the U.S. Marine Corps., serving as an Arabic linguist.