Marco’s Pizza, based in the US state of Ohio, has launched 41 new stores in the first half (H1) of 2025, signalling its international expansion and continued investment in franchisee performance.
The brand’s strategic, data-driven real estate approach, leveraging consumer behaviour insights and predictive tools, identifies untapped markets and drives growth despite rising capital costs and stiff competition.
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The company’s new technology tools support a projected 28% increase in new store openings year-on-year.
Marco’s Pizza chief development officer Gerardo Flores stated: “We entered 2025 with momentum from a very intentional development strategy – and that pipeline is now turning into stores.”
Current franchisees, who accounted for close to 65% of the signed agreements in 2024, are actively growing with Marco’s.
To facilitate further growth, the brand recently introduced a franchise development royalty incentive programme, offering early-stage royalty incentives starting at 0% and providing comprehensive support in construction, real estate and operations to qualified multi-unit owners.
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By GlobalDataInternationally, Marco’s is celebrating a year since its first store opening in Mexico and a decade in Puerto Rico.
The Mexico expansion, led by 50-unit master franchise partner Grupo Pizza Amantes, is set to reach three to four locations by the end of 2025.
There are 66 locations across Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico, with plans for Canada and Latin America.
Emphasising its “people first, mission always” philosophy, Marco’s is scaling its “We’re Golden” development programme to train franchisees across 700 outlets.
In early 2025, it reintroduced longtime team member Joe Stephens as real estate vice-president to assist franchisees with site selection and real estate consultations.
Stephens, who has been with the brand for 13 years, offers industry knowledge to expedite store openings in crucial markets.
In April 2025, Marco’s Pizza introduced Pepperoni Bread for a limited period in the US, priced at $5 at select outlets.
