Gene Bicknells name is all over the campus of Pittsburg State University, his alma mater. Its on a sports complex. The arts center is simply known as the Bicknell, after the homegrown entrepreneur.
But while hes beloved as a civic booster in Pittsburg, the former businessman is far less endeared to tax officials in Topeka, from whom hes just wrested back $48 million in revenue.
In 1962, Bicknell started National Pizza Corporation, which ultimately operated 1,100 Pizza Huts in 27 states. He sold the company in 2006 and retired to Florida, where hed been living and registered to vote since 2003.
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