Franchising

Marco's signs 46 unit deal for Phoenix

Provided

March 17, 2022

Marco's Pizza has inked a 46 store deal in Phoenix, according to a company press release.

The development agreement will bring stores to the Phoenix market over the next six years. The company said it is one of the largest franchise deals in the brand's history.

The development contributes to the brand's overall growth goal of 1,500 units by 2023.

Behind the development agreement is 11-year Marco's area representative and franchisee Robert Pina, who joined the brand in 2011 in Houston, Texas. He oversees development in Houston and San Antonio with his business partner Uyen Tran, which together boasts 67 stores, 20 of which are owned by Pina. As both growth and store expansion continue to surge, there are an additional 25 locations in development across both markets.

Six stores are projected to open in the next 18 months, with the first store slated top open in Q3 2022 as site selection is well underway.

"I've always wanted to continue to grow with Marco's because it's a special brand. The timing was right to pursue the next opportunity — Phoenix was that answer," Pina said in the release. "With only one Marco's location in the Phoenix DMA, there is an incredible opportunity to build out the market and bring a quality product to the pizza lovers of this community. Over the past few years, we've been on a phenomenal growth curve as a brand and particularly in my other two markets. With the right concept, a proven track record, and national advertising helping grow brand awareness, now was the time to really push the pedal to the medal and grow."

"We're placing an emphasis on growing with sophisticated partners who believe in the strength of the Marco's brand," Keith Sizemore, vice president of development for Marco's Pizza, said in the release. "When one of your seasoned, top-performing franchisees commits to 46 new stores, it speaks to the tremendous belief they have in our brand, our business model, and our people first culture. Robert's focus on operational excellence and growth shines through and through. We're extremely proud of him and our development. We've built an incredible infrastructure for growth and look forward to continued expansion, filling whitespace across the country with empire builders like Robert."

Marco's operates more than 1,000 stores in 34 states.