News

Marco's to make its mark: Nearly 200 new sites by 2021

December 19, 2016

Marco's is making its move in a big way, announcing today that the chain will add nearly 200 new stores — mostly in the Midwest — within three to five years, according to a news release. The brand also was recently named among the nation's fastest-growing pizza franchises. 

The bulk of this growth will occur in Kansas City, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, which collectively will see openings of 135 new chain locations by 2021. An additional 25 locations are planned for Wisconsin, the release said.

Minneapolis will get 60 new locations, creating more than 1,500 new jobs. The city currently has three Marco's restaurants, but the area will support many more locations Marco's said. Markets for development include the exurbs of Farmington, Lakeville, New Prague and Savage.

"Our development in Minneapolis is only beginning, which is an exciting chapter in our growth story," Marco's Vice President of Franchise Development John Ramsey said in a news release. "Our team is knowledgeable about the regions of the untapped state, and poised to bring success to its entrepreneurs. Bringing Marco’s growth strategy back to its Midwest roots, Minneapolis shows every sign for potential success for franchisees."

Approximately 40 locations will be added in Pittsburgh; Kansas City will see the opening of 35 units and, as previously mentioned, 25 locations will open around the state of Wisconsin. In a press release, Marco's said that these areas will account for a total of 2,000 new jobs by 2021.

The chain has particularly high hopes of success in Pittsburgh, the release said. 

"Pizza is the No. 1 most delivered food item in the state of Pennsylvania, making Pittsburgh an attractive market for Marco’s to pursue," Ramsey said. "Our development in Pittsburgh is only beginning, which is an exciting chapter in our growth story. Our team is knowledgeable about the regions of the untapped state, and is poised to bring success to its entrepreneurs.” 

More modest expansion is planned for Reno, Nevada, where five locations will create 125 jobs within three years, the company said. In Iowa, Des Moines will introduce 15 new Marco's locations within the same time frame, creating more than 375 jobs. The Southwestern market of Albuquerque will see Marco's grow by an additional 10 locations are planned, creating more than 250 new jobs. 

The Toledo, Ohio-based pizza franchise was founded in 1978 and now has about 750 locations in 30 states, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and India. Most recently, Marco’s Pizza was ranked No. 2 in Top 10 Franchises to Invest In in the medium investment range. More recently, Nation's Restaurant News            the No. 2 fastest growing U.S. chain on the Top 100 report by Nation’s Restaurant News.