#United States #Marco's Pizza #Toledo #pizza brand #2025 growth

Marco's Pizza Charts an Ambitious Course for 2025 Following an Exceptional 2024

As the new year unfolds, Marco's Pizza is enthusiastic about the future after achieving remarkable milestones in 2024. The Toledo, Ohio-based pizza chain has firmly established itself as one of the swiftest-growing brands in the industry, recently awarded 85 franchises and opening 70 new stores, marking a significant expansion beyond the 1,200-store milestone.

Highlights from 2024

Marco's Pizza leveraged a dynamic approach in 2024, underscored by several key achievements:

Culinary Innovations

Innovations on the menu set new standards for fast-casual pizza. The Fiery Flavors Menu, featuring a distinctive spicy cheese blend, led the charge, supported by other crowd-pleasers like the Triple Pep Magnifico and Margherita Pizza. This commitment to offering bold, premium flavors resonated with customers and further solidified Marco's signature identity.

Technological Advancements

Continuing its tech-savvy approach, the brand introduced a proprietary cloud-based platform that boosted franchisee operations and enhanced customer experiences. Remarkably, since its launch, 770 new features and enhancements were added, affirming Marco's commitment to thriving in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Rebranding Efforts

With a fresh brand platform titled But Wait, There's Marco’s™, the chain is shaking up traditional ordering habits, reminding patrons of its emphasis on fresh ingredients and exciting flavor profiles. This initiative is part of a larger campaign to elevate the customer experience.

Enhanced Store Design and Operations

Launching innovative store designs along with integrated technologies has drastically improved both operational efficiency and customer engagement. The modern aesthetic resonates well with the evolving preferences of diners.

Leadership Reinforcements

Marco's Pizza fortified its leadership with top industry talent, hiring individuals like Ben Halliwell for digital marketing and Kathleen Kennedy for culinary innovation. These strategic appointments indicate the brand's intent to remain at the forefront of industry trends while ensuring franchisee satisfaction.

Community Engagement

Through the Marco's Pizza Foundation, the brand has partnered with Junior Achievement USA to provide entrepreneurial education to youth, aiming to raise $500,000 in donations. This initiative not only contributes to the community but also aligns with Marco's commitment to social responsibility.

Looking Ahead: Vision for 2025

As Marco's Pizza enters 2025, it is focusing on multi-unit franchise development, quantifying success with 65% of new agreements attributed to existing franchisees. This trend highlights the brand's strong operational support and robust business model.

Strategic Growth Areas

The brand is strategically poised for expansion in nontraditional locations and international markets, with plans to develop a significant presence in Mexico following a recent 50-unit master franchise agreement in Mexico City. Additionally, there’s a keen interest in exploring urban ghost kitchens to cater to evolving consumer trends.

Tony Libardi, Co-CEO and President of Marco’s Pizza, emphasizes, “Marco's leads the charge in growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We remain resolute in delivering on our commitments as we continue gaining momentum in 2025.”

Upcoming Initiatives

Initiatives planned for the near future include:

• - Expanded Culinary Innovations: Under Kennedy’s leadership, new captivating menu items will be introduced, designed to engage customers and boost sales for franchisees.
• - Technology Enhancements: The ongoing development of data analytics will improve both operational workflows and guest experiences.
• - Focus on Nontraditional Growth Opportunities: Identifying key Midwest, East Coast, and Sun Belt markets for development, Marco's seeks innovative growth paths including ghost kitchens in metropolitan areas.

Industry Recognition

Marco's continuing success has garnered attention within the franchise sector. It has ranked in the Top 50 of Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and was recognized in Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service for pizza chains.

With a robust franchise growth strategy and strong performance metrics, Marco's Pizza stands on the brink of an exciting year ahead as it innovates and expands its reach across the pizza marketplace. With each achievement, the brand fortifies its reputation for quality and creativity, ready to captivate its audience in 2025. For those interested in franchise opportunities, more information can be found at Marco's Pizza Franchising.