With 23.7-percent sales growth, Marco’s Pizza joined the ranks of the Top 100 this year, coming in at No. 99, rising from No. 114 the Preceding Year. The Pizza chain ranked second in terms of sales growth.
Marco’s, based in Toledo, Ohio, opened a net 89 units, ending the Latest Year with 667 locations, and making it the fourth fastest-growing chain in the Top 100 in terms of unit growth.
The chain is marketed as an alternative to larger pizza brands, and emphasizes authentic ingredients and value. Besides pizza, the fully franchised chain serves sandwiches, salads, wings and nachos (including Irish nachos, which are smothered potato tots).
Marco’s Franchising LLC is led by CEO Jack Butorac, who bought franchising rights to the chain in 2004, and managed to continue to sell franchises even during the recession through creative financing strategies, including running its own loan-guarantee program called Marco’s Assurance.
Keys to growth:
Consistent leadership. Marco’s has had the same CEO, Jack Butorac, for more than a decade. He has beefed up management both by recruiting top management from other chains and by promoting from within.
Creative financing. During times when financing was hard to come by, Butorac used the company’s own credit to guarantee franchisee loans, allowing for expansion even as the economy drifted.
Steady innovation. Marco’s is quick to respond to changing times. For example, with third-party delivery making it harder to find good drivers, Marco’s is experimenting with contract delivery services in some markets. In other markets, it is testing its own fleet of trucks for drivers who don’t own cars.
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