Entrepreneur Magazine Lists Marco’s Among Top Franchises for Veterans

Veterans thrive with fast-growing pizza franchise

We told you recently why a Marco’s Pizza franchise is a great choice for veterans — the leadership, teamwork and self-discipline required to run a Marco’s dovetails perfectly with the skill set veterans learn during their service to their country. We feel our veterans have a lot to offer Marco’s, and we have a lot to offer our veterans.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. Entrepreneur magazine recently included Marco’s Pizza among the Top Franchises for Veterans. It’s validating when the industry experts recognize our efforts to give back to the men and women who have already given so much to our country.

As one of the top franchises for veterans, Marco’s is a proud member of the International Franchise Association and participates in the IFA’s VetFran Program, which offers veterans a discount on the initial license fee. Marco’s already offers great value in terms of investment; opening a Marco’s Pizza is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of starting other casual dining restaurants, and the cost is even lower for veterans thanks to our VetFran discount.

Although restaurant experience is always a plus, it isn’t a must. We educate all our franchise owners on everything they need to know, from taking care of the books to making the perfect pie to how to market their business in their community. In many ways, veterans are starting out with an advantage — they already know the value in following proven, established systems. Marco’s lays out your roadmap to success, with a superior product and processes that have been honed over our 35 years in business. Veterans are uniquely suited to follow that roadmap.

In fact, our Multi-Unit Franchisees of the Year for 2012 are veterans themselves. Kevin and Laurel Wilkerson of Edmond, Okla., both enjoyed long careers in the military before turning to franchise ownership. As area representatives, the pair own seven Marco’s restaurants themselves, oversee an additional 14 stores and have 14 more in development in their territory, which includes most of Oklahoma City and parts of Texas and Kansas.

“With Marco’s, the operational aspect replicated what I had done in the military in the past,” says Kevin, who spent 24 years as an infantry officer in the Army. “Every day we’re dealing with hiring, firing, benefits, certainly all the marketing and market analysis, how to retain customers and get new customers, training, day-to-day operations in stores, development of new stores, site selection, construction, management — all the logistics. I get pretty hyped up about all the variety of things we do.”

The Wilkersons exemplify the sort of leadership we look for in Marco’s franchisees. When deadly tornadoes swept through Moore, Okla., in May, the Wilkersons immediately set out to help their devastated community, gathering donations for victims, making pizzas around the clock for hungry volunteers and offering up their parking lot as a Red Cross Relief staging area. Their instincts to take the helm in a time of need and quickly spring into action are perfect examples of the kinds of skills veterans possess — skills that translate very well to successful franchise ownership.

And successful franchise ownership demands a successful franchisor. Since the first Marco’s was opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1978 by native Italian Pat Giammarco, we have made a name for ourselves by producing handmade, Ah!thentic ® Italian pizza. Quality is our hallmark. The dough is made fresh in stores daily; the sauce is produced from a special hybrid tomato developed just for Marco’s; a proprietary blend of three cheeses is always fresh, never frozen; and we chop our toppings in the store and use only premium meats and vegetables.

With our rapid growth, there’s never been a better time for veterans or other investors to join a proven concept. At Marco’s, we’re on the cusp of a huge growth trend, and that means the savvy entrepreneur can still get in on the ground floor. We have 400-plus units across the United States, and we plan to hit the 500-store mark by mid-2014. We have another 1,000 stores in development.

Whether you’re a veteran yourself or someone who recognizes value and opportunity, Marco’s may be the perfect franchise for you. Please fill out the form at right or give us a call at 1-800-262-7267 to start a conversation — and go ahead and check out our Facebook page and Twitter while you’re at it!