Marco’s Pizza ® Franchise Owner Taking Brand to His Native India
After success in the U.S., DJ Patel ready to introduce Marco’s Pizza ® franchise to India
DJ Patel is living the American Dream as a multi-unit Marco’s Pizza ® franchise owner and area developer. Now he’s taking that dream to his native India, where he is pursuing plans to open 400 locations in that country of 1.25 billion people.
After arriving in the United States in the late 1980s with $100 in his pocket, DJ recognized that the pizza industry was a good place to develop his business skills. He enjoyed success at the corporate level at the Pizza Hut chain for more than 20 years, but it was only after joining the Marco’s Pizza ® franchise — and opening his first location in 2011 — that he truly began realizing his dream of owning his own business and being a proven leader in his community. He oversees 40 Marco’s Pizza ® units in Georgia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and now India.
“In my position as an owner of multiple franchises and area developer, I can have a big impact not only on my own future, but on the future lives of others,” DJ says.
Why Marco’s Pizza ®?
“I looked into a lot of different franchise choices,” DJ says. “I had a lot of background in the pizza industry, so I did want to stay in this same field. When I did all my research, Marco’s Pizza ® always came out No. 1.
“I was already comfortable with the pizza industry — and good at it,” he adds. “But with Marco’s, I knew I could make a big difference. Not only for myself, but for a lot of other people who want to control their own futures.”
DJ quickly achieved a track record of helping others achieve their dreams of becoming Marco’s Pizza ® franchise owners; more than a few of them are fellow immigrants from South Asia. He expects to find that same level of enthusiasm among the franchise owners he recruits in India.
“I put on my different hats to help others succeed,” he says. ”I can be mentor, father, friend, coach, teacher and brother. One thing’s for sure through it all: I really care about the franchisees.”
The great opportunity in India
Developing 400 franchises is an ambitious goal, even in a country with a population four times larger than that of the United States. But the success in India of other quick-service restaurant brands shows that the people have a growing taste for new foods. KFC, for example, has been in the country for 20 years and has more than 360 locations. McDonald’s has been in India since 1996 and has about 250 stores.
DJ believes India and Marco’s Pizza ® are a perfect match and the number of franchises will grow quickly, just as they have in the United States — where Marco’s is approaching its target of having 1,000 stores by the end of 2016. The pace of growth in the U.S. is exceeding projections by 40%, putting the company on track to achieve its goal of becoming the country’s fourth-largest pizza chain.
One reason for Marco’s rapid growth is the availability of prime locations. Competing chains, such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Little Caesars, have saturated their markets with tens of thousands of locations. Marco’s has ideal locations available for new restaurants and is quickly gaining market share in the $40 billion annual U.S. pizza market.
Franchisees can expect a similar experience in India, which is wide-open for development and where they will have their pick of prime locations.
“Marco’s is definitely a better brand with a great future ahead,” DJ says. “The concept has proven successful, even during the toughest economic time in this country. Marco’s has given me the opportunity to take the best of my own experience and use it to take the brand forward.”
The value of fresh flavors
There’s another reason DJ expects Marco’s to be a hit in India. The country is renowned for its cuisine, and the people there value fresh flavors. So does the Marco’s Pizza ® franchise.
Marco’s Pizza ® dough is made fresh in every store, every day, and our pizzas are topped with premium meats, never-frozen cheeses, vegetables sliced fresh in-store, and a proprietary sauce recipe that blends imported spices and three types of vine-ripened tomatoes.
Pizzas served in India might look a little different. In the United States, three of the most popular toppings are pepperoni, mushrooms and sausage, according to USA Today. In India, favorite toppings include pickled ginger, minced mutton and tofu.
Learn more about Marco’s Pizza ® franchise
At Marco’s Pizza ® franchise, 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 Request Franchise Information form to start a conversation. We’d love to hear from you!
