American pizza chain Marco's Pizza is set to make its debut in Mexico this year, following a significant franchise agreement.

The company has partnered with Grupo Pizza Amantes SA de CV to establish a 50-unit master franchise in Mexico City.

The collaboration marks a significant step for Marco's Pizza in its international growth strategy.

Marco's Franchising co-CEO and president Tony Libardi said: “Our successful expansions in the Caribbean reinforced the global appeal of our brand, and we're confident in the Grupo Pizza Amantes team and their ability to grow our brand presence in Mexico City.

“Marco's is currently undergoing some of our greatest expansion to date. We now have more than 180 stores in various stages of development, and hundreds of agreements signed.”

Grupo Pizza Amantes is currently in the process of securing a location for the first store, which is expected to open in the second quarter of this year.

The franchisee is exploring both traditional and nontraditional units to expand the brand's presence.

Marco's Pizza boasts a significant presence in the Caribbean, with more than 60 locations in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Marco's Pizza also stated that it is looking to extend its global footprint by exploring opportunities in the Middle East, Europe, and Canada in the future.

Marco's Pizza chief development officer Gerardo Flores said: “This is a historic moment for the Marco's brand.

“The announcement highlights our commitment to growing our international footprint, specifically in Mexico, which is one of the most vibrant QSR markets today.

“Mexico shares several demographic profiles as the United States, and with a business-friendly environment and acceptance of US brands, this is an ideal market for our continued international expansion efforts.”