Article

A whole lot of movement going on in the pizza marketplace

Lots of action going on in pizza franchises this week. Here's a quick look at three that crossed our desks this morning.

June 16, 2016 by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

The pizza marketplace continues its fast pace of franchising agreements and new location announcements this week, beginning in Maryland, where Marco's Pizza is set to initiate a massive growth plan. The company said it will introduce more than 30 locations through strategic franchise partnerships in the state and create more than 600 jobs there. 

New Marco's Pizza Maryland locations will open under the leadership of industry veteran, Dharmesh Patel, a multi-unit franchisee with seven years of Marco's Pizza experience, overseeing more than 70 Atlanta-area locations. Several planned Baltimore-area locations are currently in various stages of development, according to a news release. 

Franchise partners are being sought for locations in various cities around Baltimore, including Timonium, Perry Hall, Essex, Ellicott City, Pasadena and Dundalk. Marco's Pizza currently has two multi-unit franchise deals signed for the Baltimore area.

"With a supportive pro-business climate and a large, highly skilled labor force, Maryland is a prime location for growth in local communities," said Marco's Chief Development Officer Cameron Cummins.  "We are still at the ground floor of our development in Maryland, making it an exciting expansion region for us."

Meanwhile, down in the sunny southeast, PizzaRev announced it signed a franchise agreement with Surfside Coffee, LLC to develop 45 restaurants across greater Miami. The group's first location is projected to open at the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, a prime South Florida shopping destination.   

This is the 23rd group of major restaurant brand operators PizzaRev has partnered with to expand the franchise across the country. Miami-based Surfside Coffee operates one of Florida's largest Dunkin' Donuts franchises. The group is backed by private equity firm, Fireman Capital Partners, LLC, under the leadership of CEO Chris Mellgren, who has numerous successful franchise networks nationwide. 

Finally, in Frandor, Michigan, Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza will open a new location on Monday, June 20. To celebrate the grand opening, the restaurant is offering free build-your-own pizzas on Tuesday, June 21 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to social media followers. The company also brings its turn-key fundraising program to the community, offering a return of 20 percent on any proceeds from events held at the restaurant to local organizations. 

About S.A. Whitehead

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Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb editor Shelly Whitehead is a former newspaper and TV reporter with an affinity for telling stories about the people and innovative thinking behind great brands.