Operations

Marco's Pizza signs 88 franchise agreements

Image courtesy of iStock

April 29, 2021

Marco's Pizza, based in Toledo, Ohio, has signed 88 franchise agreements since the beginning of 2021 as part of its strategy to grow its 1,000-unit footprint by more than 10% by year's end, according to a press release.

Despite the global pandemic, the brand maintained strong sales in 2020, and by opening a store every three and a half days on average, the top 50% of Marco's franchised stores generated $1,059,574 average unit value based on the fiscal year 2020. The brand is continuing its aggressive growth plan this year with over 200 units in various stages of development. Marco's also identified Austin, Dallas, Denver, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Southern California as markets for further expansion.

"Our teams have been busy working to lower unit buildout costs while simultaneously driving higher sales," Tony Libardi, co-CEO and president, said in the release. "This, paired with ease of funding, has created an opportune time for both existing and prospective franchisees to grow with Marco's."

In 2020, the brand celebrated not only record sales but a major milestone when franchisees Rafi Vargas, Kattya Barbaran and Ed Boyer opened its 1,000th store. In addition, as part of Marco's strategy for 2021, the brand will focus on multi-unit development considering nearly half its franchise network is made up of multi-unit owners. The brand also refreshed an ad campaign that speaks to the pizza lovers of America with the new tagline, "Pizza Lovers Get It."

Marco's Pizza, founded in 1978, has over 1,000 stores in 34 states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.