Marco's Pizza Achieves Top Ranking for FUND® Score Among QSR and Pizza Brands
In a recent announcement, Marco's Pizza has been recognized as the leading pizza and QSR brand in the annual FUND® Score rankings by FRANdata, highlighting the company’s dedication to fostering accessible franchise ownership and maintaining robust partnerships with lenders. With its headquarters located in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza has seen remarkable growth over the years and has positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing pizza chains in the nation.
The FUND® Score is a well-regarded metric in the franchise industry, assessing brands based on 13 crucial performance categories, which include Historical Unit Success Rate™, unit-level profitability, system support, and financial transparency. This proprietary rating system provides lenders with valuable insights, affecting loan decisions made regarding franchise financing. With over $5 trillion in assets managed by lenders utilizing this model, Marco's impressive performance solidifies its standing as a financially sound franchise system.
Edith Wiseman, President of FRANdata, commented on Marco's achievement, emphasizing its significance amidst a competitive pizza marketplace. "Marco's Pizza achieving a top-tier FUND® Score — the highest among the pizza category — demonstrates the underlying strength of a system built for scalable, sustainable growth," Wiseman stated. This commentary underscores the brand's operational rigor and its commitment to supporting long-term franchisee growth.
Gerardo Flores, Chief Development Officer at Marco's Pizza, echoed these sentiments by outlining the brand's ethos, stating, "Franchise ownership should open doors, not create obstacles." This reflects Marco's core mission to provide comprehensive support for its franchise network and cultivate strong relationships with lending institutions. Regular quarterly meetings with financiers, where the company shares performance updates and future growth ideas, further enhance these partnerships.
To facilitate easier access to franchise ownership, Marco's Pizza has also introduced the Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program, aimed at lowering barriers for prospective multi-unit franchisees. The program includes an early-stage royalty incentive starting at 0%, which is coupled with extensive real estate, construction, and operations guidance for new franchisees.
With a reported average unit volume (AUV) of $1.3 million for the top 25% of franchised locations in 2024, the increase in interest and opportunities within the franchise potential is evident. Marco's Pizza's ongoing expansion plans, coupled with its robust support infrastructure, pave the way for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the pizza franchise landscape.
Founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco, Marco's Pizza prides itself on delivering an authentic pizza experience, with every unit featuring dough made from scratch, topped with a unique blend of three signature cheeses. From its humble Ohio beginnings, the brand has expanded to over 1,200 locations across 35 states, with additional establishments in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico.
Further underscoring its market presence, Marco's Pizza has garnered several accolades over the years, including recognition as America’s Favorite Restaurant in the Limited-Service Pizza category by Nation's Restaurant News. Recently, it earned its spot among QSR's Top 50 and the Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.
Prospective franchisees interested in exploring opportunities with Marco's Pizza are encouraged to visit their franchise portal or reach out directly for more information. With the brand's continued emphasis on accessibility and support, there has never been a better time to consider joining the Marco's franchise family, making legacies in the thriving pizza industry possible for many future owners.
The FUND® Score is a well-regarded metric in the franchise industry, assessing brands based on 13 crucial performance categories, which include Historical Unit Success Rate™, unit-level profitability, system support, and financial transparency. This proprietary rating system provides lenders with valuable insights, affecting loan decisions made regarding franchise financing. With over $5 trillion in assets managed by lenders utilizing this model, Marco's impressive performance solidifies its standing as a financially sound franchise system.
Edith Wiseman, President of FRANdata, commented on Marco's achievement, emphasizing its significance amidst a competitive pizza marketplace. "Marco's Pizza achieving a top-tier FUND® Score — the highest among the pizza category — demonstrates the underlying strength of a system built for scalable, sustainable growth," Wiseman stated. This commentary underscores the brand's operational rigor and its commitment to supporting long-term franchisee growth.
Gerardo Flores, Chief Development Officer at Marco's Pizza, echoed these sentiments by outlining the brand's ethos, stating, "Franchise ownership should open doors, not create obstacles." This reflects Marco's core mission to provide comprehensive support for its franchise network and cultivate strong relationships with lending institutions. Regular quarterly meetings with financiers, where the company shares performance updates and future growth ideas, further enhance these partnerships.
To facilitate easier access to franchise ownership, Marco's Pizza has also introduced the Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program, aimed at lowering barriers for prospective multi-unit franchisees. The program includes an early-stage royalty incentive starting at 0%, which is coupled with extensive real estate, construction, and operations guidance for new franchisees.
With a reported average unit volume (AUV) of $1.3 million for the top 25% of franchised locations in 2024, the increase in interest and opportunities within the franchise potential is evident. Marco's Pizza's ongoing expansion plans, coupled with its robust support infrastructure, pave the way for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the pizza franchise landscape.
Founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco, Marco's Pizza prides itself on delivering an authentic pizza experience, with every unit featuring dough made from scratch, topped with a unique blend of three signature cheeses. From its humble Ohio beginnings, the brand has expanded to over 1,200 locations across 35 states, with additional establishments in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico.
Further underscoring its market presence, Marco's Pizza has garnered several accolades over the years, including recognition as America’s Favorite Restaurant in the Limited-Service Pizza category by Nation's Restaurant News. Recently, it earned its spot among QSR's Top 50 and the Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500.
Prospective franchisees interested in exploring opportunities with Marco's Pizza are encouraged to visit their franchise portal or reach out directly for more information. With the brand's continued emphasis on accessibility and support, there has never been a better time to consider joining the Marco's franchise family, making legacies in the thriving pizza industry possible for many future owners.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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