Franchising

Marco's Pizza to enter New Mexico with 9-unit deal

Photo: Marco's Pizza

August 21, 2024

Marco's Pizza has inked a nine-unit development agreement for New Mexico, a new state for the pizza brand. The first two locations are slated to open in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho before the end of Q1 2025, according to a press release.

Franchisees Chris and Kristian Ornelas invested with Marco's to diversify their franchise portfolio. The husband-and-wife team are the largest Fiesta Auto Insurance franchisees with 38 locations across three states.

"When looking to invest in our second business, we wanted to marry our franchising background with our love for pizza," Chris Ornelas said in the press release. "Simply put, Marco's offers a superior product that is delivered consistently. Pair quality with strong franchise operations, and we knew we had an opportunity at our fingertips to develop in an untapped market."

Gerardo Flores, CDO for Marco's Pizza, said his brand is thrilled to welcome the Ornelases to the team.

"Our expansion into New Mexico is a move that underscores our commitment to bringing our exceptional product to new markets," he said. "This strategic growth aligns perfectly with our vision of reaching more customers and tapping into the incredible potential we see across New Mexico. Our research indicates the state is poised for remarkable growth, and we are excited to contribute to its development while also expanding our footprint."

Marco's Pizza recently launched a brand prototype in the Boise, Idaho market.