Two brothers accomplished every child's dream, pizza all the time.

In 2007, Vinnie and Neil Patel embarked on a journey to open a Little Caesars in the Dallas, Texas market. Within a couple of years they expanded into Louisiana.

Now the empire has grown to include 14 Little Caesars spanning from Shreveport to Dallas, Texas.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 90% of businesses are family-owned. Despite the challenges many businesses have faced over the last two years, family-owned businesses have illustrated resilience.

The Patel brothers are a testament to this illustration. It has been 15 years since they opened the family-owned business and there are no signs of slowing down.

More: Business in the 318: Tattoo school on fire, Shreveport launches guaranteed income program

"We started in 2007," Vinnie said. "We have done well."

When COVID hit Little Caesars provided lunch for local hospitals for two weeks straight.

"Everybody needed it during that time," Vinnie said.

Their dedication to building an empire is built on their desire to serve their family and the community around them.

"We primarily do this so our kids can also see it. We want our kids to see giving back is a part of what you have to do, not everything is roses there is another side to life," Vinnie said. "We want them to see the impact and how it makes you feel."

Several times a year Neil and Vinnie go out with their families to serve the Shreveport-Bossier area where they feed the homeless.

Similar stories: Shreveport jewelry store marks 90th anniversary amid holiday shopping rush

About the Patel brothers

Vinnie and Neil Patel moved to Texas from England in 1988.

Upon arrival in the US, they attended college and began a business. "Neil was looking for something out of college," Vinnie said. "And, a family friend of ours told us about this opportunity with Little Caesars. Which turned out to be a great opportunity."

Neil gives all the credit for their success to his father. "Everything we have learned; we have learned from our father."

Today the Patel brothers have Little Caesars locations on Mansfield Road, Hollywood Avenue, Barksdale Highway and Pines Road.

Read more: What businesses are opening in Shreveport and Bossier City in 2022?

Neil said without their workers who they call family Little Caesars would not be able to function.

"We try to make sure we are a big family in our workplace," Neil said. "This is not just a you go into work and you clock-in and clock-out. That is not how we have grown."

"Some of our managers have been with us for six-seven years plus," Vinnie said.

The relationship the Patel brothers share is one that carries through work and their personal life.

"Everything me and Neil do is together 50-50 we are brothers," Vinnie said. "It has worked out real well for us, just being together. We can trust each other."

Neil said, "your best friend is your brother, you can't know anyone more than your sibling."

Instant access. No shipping delays. Subscribe today.

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Meet the brothers finding success in Shreveport's Little Caesars