Operations

Marco's Pizza opens more than 40 stores in first half of 2025

Photo: Marco's Pizza

August 13, 2025

Marco's Pizza marked a strong first half of 2025 with 41 store openings. The brand said in a press release that it is poised for a 28% year-over-year increase in store openings.

"We entered 2025 with momentum from a very intentional development strategy — and that pipeline is now turning into stores," Gerardo Flores, CDO of Marco's Pizza, said in the press release. "The potential of our model and the power of our culture create an opportunity to grow with a brand that's not just expanding but doing so the right way."

The brand welcomed back longtime team member Joe Stephens as VP of real estate to support franchisees' site selection and other real estate consultation. Stephens, a 13-year veteran of the brand, brings deepindustry expertise to accelerate store openings in key markets.

Current franchisees continue to expand with the brand — nearly 65% of 2024 signed agreements came from existing franchisees. Prospects are taking note of the business opportunity, as the Marco's Franchising Franchise Disclosure Document reports $1.3 million AUV for the top 25% of franchised stores in 2024.

To further support expansion, Marco's recently launched a Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program designed to reduce barriers for qualified multi-unit owners. Early-stage royalty incentives start at 0, plus real estate, construction and operations support.

The brand marked two key international milestone, celebrating one year since it opened its first location in Mexico and 10 years of operations in Puerto. Marco's now has 66 locations across the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Mexico. It is targeting Latin America and Canada.

Meanwhile, The Marco's Pizza Foundation is making meaningful strides through its four cause pillars: school and education, hunger prevention, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. In April, the Foundation announced a $317,000 donation to Junior Achievement USA (JA) — a figure that has since grown to more than $530,000, surpassing fundraising goals.

"As a franchise-driven brand, we know the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives," Stephanie Moseley, President of the Marco's Pizza Foundation and a multi-unit franchisee. "We're proud to invest in the next generation of business leaders and to see our franchisees and customers embrace this mission with heart and purpose."

Marco's Pizza has more than 1,200 stores in 35 states.