Marco’s Pizza Franchise Grows by 33% in One Year

America’s fastest growing pizza franchise finishes 2013 with record growth, unprecedented industry recognition

We’ve been experiencing steady growth at Marco’s Pizza for several years, but 2013 really stands out in a big way. Marco’s added 109 stores in 2013, a 33% increase in the entire chain size! In fact, we’re growing faster than we ever have and are now officially recognized by many as America’s fastest growing pizza franchise. It has taken us less than five years to more than double in size.

We look forward to opening our 500th store in 2014, but our goals reach way beyond that number to 1,000 restaurants and more. We’re focused on becoming one of the Big Four pizza franchises within the coming five years. It means we’re ready to take on names such as Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s and Little Caesars. We’re not talking about growth for growth’s sake. The biggest single reason for our growth is the quality of our food, the fact that Marco’s offers a much-needed fresher, healthier alternative to some pizza chains – we have fresh dough made daily on site, a proprietary cheese blend that’s never frozen, and fresh-cut vegetables.

Here are six achievements of 2013 that give testimony to the incredible momentum and growing strength of the Marco’s brand:

The prestigious Second 100 rankings, in which Nation’s Restaurant News reviews the second-largest 100 restaurant chains, saw Marco’s rising to the No. 2 spot this year on its list of Top 10 Newcomers. On the overall list of restaurant chains ranked from 101-200, Marco’s came in at No. 166 this year, up 23 from No. 189 last year.

Marco’s jumped nine spots — from No. 21 to No. 12 — on Pizza Today‘s annual “Top 100 Pizza Companies” list. Pizza Today is a highly- respected trade publication, considered an authoritative voice in the pizza industry.

Pizza Today also named us No. 1 on their 2013 Up and Comers list, which recognizes the country’s fastest-growing pizza franchises. This recognition is surely proof that we’re closing in on the major pizza chains.

Marco’s boosted its system sales by 32.5% in the latest year with a sales growth strategy that balanced specialties like South Philly Cheese Steak Pizza with promotions such as the Big Square Deal combo to counter those of bigger rivals.

Our $100 million deal with the 700-unit Family Video brand, which was unveiled in 2012, kicked into high gear in 2013. This creative, win-win partnership is one of the reasons Marco’s is growing so rapidly. Family Video and Marco’s are planning to open 250 additional stores across the country in the next three to five years.

Finally, at Marco’s, we measure success by more than dollars and cents. Our franchisees routinely go above and beyond to help their communities. This year we saw a profound example of the power of giving back when Marco’s franchise owners and Area Representatives Kevin and Laurel Wilkerson of Edmond, Okla. spearheaded an effort to reach out to the victims of the devastating EF-5 tornado that struck Moore, Okla. in May. The Marco’s Pizza family shipped tractor-trailers full of supplies, including water, food, clothing, pet food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, batteries and more. Marco’s stores across the country also participated in a fundraiser for storm relief in which they donated $1 per large pizza sold during the week following the storm.

We are excited about our rapid growth, and there’s never been a better time for the new or experienced investor to join a proven concept. If you’d like to join Marco’s before we reach our tipping point, please fill out the form at right or give us a call at 1-800-262-7267. We’d love to start a conversation.