Marco’s Pizza (Marco’s Franchising, LLC), headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is one of Pizza Marketing Quarterly’s Top 25 Pizza Chains. Founded in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, Marco’s Pizza is committed to making Ah!thentic Italian pizza with fresh ingredients. Over the past 30 years, the franchise has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate more than 170 stores in 14 states.
Background/HistoryMarco’s Pizza founder Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco moved to the U.S. from Italy when he was nine years old and grew up working in his family’s pizzeria. He later embarked on a mission to make high quality pizza on a larger scale using a secret sauce recipe that he developed and refined with his father.
Giammarco focused on three key areas: dough, sauce and cheese. He established three standards in order to deliver the consistent levels of quality and freshness expected of Marco’s products: dough made fresh daily in each store; a proprietary sauce recipe that blends imported spices and three types of vine-ripened tomatoes; and an exclusive blend of three fresh cheeses (never frozen, unlike many pizza chains).
The first Marco's Pizza store opened in Toledo in 1978. Gradually, stores opened throughout the Midwest and beyond. The Marco’s Pizza menu broadened as well, to include hot sub sandwiches, salads and Cheezybread for carryout and delivery.
Facts and FiguresThis past year, Marco’s Pizza experienced more than 12 percent same-store sales growth among company-managed stores, and more than six percent same-store sales growth across the entire Marco’s system
Marco's Pizza has enjoyed positive same-store growth for the past nine consecutive quarters.
Marco's Pizza is on track to open more than 25 new stores this year.
Marco's Pizza anticipates having 500 stores in operation by 2010, more than triple its current number.
Marco’s Pizza has stores in 14 states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Marco's Pizza stores offer pizza, fresh baked sub sandwiches, salads, cheezybread and cinnabread for carryout and delivery. The company was established in Toledo, Ohio in 1978 and has grown to over 125 stores. Marco's Pizza has built its business on a strong foundation of excellent quality products, superb customer service, and great value. Strong unit economics; Low initial investment; Low initial cash investment; single or multi-unit developments available; Positive same store sales trend; 3A1 D&B rating.
Today, there are more than 170 franchised and company-owned Marco’s Pizza stores in 14 states.
Currently, the following states and countries regulate the offer and sale of franchises:
In the U.S.: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
International: Australia, Brazil, Canada (Alberta, Ontario, and PEI only), France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Spain, and Venezuela.
Sliced Pizza, Marco's Pizza FranchiseIt is always easier if you understand the path you are about to go down. Listed below is our Franchising Process Slice by Slice. The timing for Steps 1 – 10 usually take between 3-6 months to complete.
Step 1 - Franchise Inquiry/Approval Process Step 2 - Discovery and Question/Answer Step 3 - Final Approval & Next Steps Step 4 - Due Diligence/Validation Step 5 - Commitment/Sign Agreement Step 6 - Real Estate Search/Acquisition Step 7 - Design/Planning/Customization Step 8 – Construction/Equipment Phase Step 9 - Management Training Step 10 - Opening The Store
Your training is never "over" at Marco's. When operational systems are updated or improved, it may result in a change in procedures. Additional training will be provided to help you and your team learn the new procedures if it is required.
Marco's makes a solid commitment to its Franchisees through effective training and creating an environment for learning. A diverse, well trained team of individuals is essential to the entire system's success. Through effective training and execution, our Franchisees can achieve growth and prosperity.
Most importantly, the same staff that worked with you during the initial training period is available (by phone, e-mail or at your location) for consultation and support on training issues that may arise.
The Marco's marketing team provides direction to the overall marketing activities of the company and works with franchisees to put a local twist on their promotions and local store marketing events.
Our innovative new store opening plan provides each franchisee with the tools necessary to drive sales quickly and efficiently and this program demonstrates that our marketers work to stay ahead of the curve regarding trends in the industry.
With Marco's Pizza our franchisees understand that they are in business for themselves but not by themselves and our marketing programs fill in another piece of the puzzle for success with Marco's.