The quick-service franchising veteran comes from Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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Marco’s Pizza, a quick-service pizza restaurant based in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday announced the hiring for Gerardo Flores as chief development officer.
Flores, who most recently was vice president of real estate at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, will be responsible for developing U.S. and international growth strategies, streamlining the development process and driving expansion, according to the company.
“I am honored to join Marco’s at a time when growth is a key strategic business priority as the brand looks to its next 1,000 units,” Flores said in a release. “My hope is that I’ll be able to make an immediate impact by improving processes that help grow the brand faster and more efficiently. My initial focus is to solidify the team and make all three pillars — sales, real estate and construction — work seamlessly together. With this, I have full confidence we’ll be able to actualize our development goals while expanding with franchisees who embrace our people-first approach to business.”
Flores has nearly 20 years of experience in franchising. Before joining Tropical Smoothie Cafe, he was vice president of real estate at Jersey Mike’s Subs, senior director of development at Quiznos, real estate manager at Cold Stone Creamery and property and lease manager at PetSmart.
Marco’s Pizza is accelerating its franchise expansion. The brand recently opened its 1100th restaurant and has 200 in various stages of development, plus more than 350 agreements signed. The company said in a statement its leadership is prioritizing “investments in enhancing the franchise development program, new technology, personnel, strategic vendor partnerships, multichannel national advertising and more.”
“We’ve set forth aggressive development growth goals, and bringing in a strong franchise leader is paramount to deliver on our future success,” said co-CEO and president Tony Libardi. “With decades of increasingly successful franchise experience in the quick-service industry, Gerardo brings a vision and growth business mindset as we continue to expand across the country and beyond.”
Contact Leigh Anne Zinsmeister at [email protected]
