Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza is a quick-service pizza delivery chain and franchise based in Toledo, Ohio and one of the only top American pizza chains founded by an Italian immigrant. As of the end of 2020, Marco’s Pizza was the sixth-largest quick-service pizza chain in the country behind Papa Murphy’s.
Marco’s was founded in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco and to this day, Marco’s Pizza locations all use his original sauce recipe. In 2002, restaurant industry expert Jack Butorac purchased the franchising rights to Marco’s and assumed leadership of the company in 2004 with plans to take the brand national. In 2015, the company was the second-fastest growing chain. As of 2021, Marco’s Pizza has 965 locations in 35 states with plans to open their 1,000th within the year.
The pizza brand is best-known for its Italian-style specialty pizzas, subs, wings, cheesy bread and pizza bowls.
Recently, Marco’s Pizza has been investing in automation and convenience technology, including kitchen automation, smaller pod restaurants, and virtual restaurants, which the company revealed in November 2020. In January 2021, the company announced the promotion of former president and chief operating officer Tony Libardi to president and co-CEO, with longtime CEO Butorac, to segue into a power transition.
Key Data: Marco’s Pizza
Headquarters: Toledo, Ohio
Segment: Quick Service
Restaurant Segment: LSR Pizza
Number of US locations: 965
2020 Sales: $668.6 million
Annual Growth:
Source: Datassential Firefly 500
CEO: Jack Butorac/Tony Libardi
