Entrepreneur Magazine Interviews Marco’s Pizza ® Franchise Owner

Successful multi-unit owner and military vet has opened 11 Marco’s Pizza ® franchise locations in four years, plans over 20 more

When Entrepreneur magazine wondered why veterans make such successful franchisees, it turned to Joe Walker, who served two tours of duty in Iraq with the U.S. Army and today is a Marco’s Pizza ® franchise owner in North and South Carolina.

After leaving the military in 2008, Joe spent two years in commercial real estate before becoming a multi-unit Marco’s Pizza ® franchise owner. Today he has 11 open locations, three in development and 17 more planned over the next four years.

Joe’s store at 2305 S. College Road in Wilmington, North Carolina is Marco’s 500th location, an important milestone on the brand’s trajectory to reach the 1,000-store mark by the end of 2016.

Kate Taylor, who writes Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise Players column, asked Joe why he decided to become a franchise owner and why he chose Marco’s Pizza ®. He pointed out the similarities he sees between the military and franchising – the use of proven systems, the teamwork and the commitment to quality.

Here are some snippets from their conversation.

“I appreciate the structured operating systems that franchising brings. Having proven techniques and systems in place mitigates the start-up risk. Based on these reasons, I decided an organized entrepreneurial venture was the right option for me because there is a formula that has worked for others,” he says.

Joe was attracted to Marco’s Pizza ® because of the brand’s “stringent, almost militaristic standards” regarding the quality of its pizza and customer service.

“Marcos resonated with me at first … because of the absolute adherence to all operational standards expected of all of its franchisees. This brand uniformity creates the platform to launch the aggressive growth that any investor seeks in an investment vessel. I have not been disappointed.

“This, coupled with the corporate approach of focusing on franchisee profitability as the ultimate sales mechanism for the brand, have proven to be very powerful, to the point of propelling Marco’s Pizza ® to the fastest-growing pizza company in the country.”

Joe told Entrepreneur’s Taylor that he spent $350,000 preparing for his opening, but the expense was well worth it. “The hard work paid off – now my stores have over $11 million in combined total sales.”

Where, Taylor wondered, did Joe turn for advice as he thought about investing in a franchise?

Through a friend, he got to know another Army veteran and Marco’s owner, Kevin Wilkerson. Kevin owns seven Marco’s stores and oversees 14 locations as an area representative in Oklahoma City.

“After learning about Wilkerson’s success and the growth trajectory of Marco’s Pizza ®, I was determined to pursue Marco’s Pizza ®,” says Joe.

What advice does Joe have for someone who wants to own their own franchise?

“Find the best product in your space, led by the best people, and dive in! Once you have committed to a brand, build the team. The key to maintaining your growth trajectory begins and ends with your team,” he says.

What’s next for you and Marco’s Pizza ®?

“The sky is the limit! Marco’s Pizza’s ® recipe for growth has been a combination of a robust, authentic product, a strong community image and a mission to delight customers. … I am all in with Marco’s and am constantly looking for opportunities to grow my relationship with the brand. The Marco’s culture is amazing and is something I very much believe in. We believe at Marco’s that unity wins – and with this team-oriented outlook, I know the future is ours to make.”

Learn more about Marco’s Pizza franchise

At Marco’s, we’re excited about our rapid growth, and there’s never been a better time for the new or experienced investor to join our proven concept. If you’re an entrepreneur with a passion for working with people, owning a Marco’s Pizza ® franchise may be the perfect fit for you. To learn more about joining our dynamic and growing company, please fill out the form below or call us at 1-800-262-7267 to start a conversation. We’d love to hear from you!