Is Marco's Pizza right for you?
Proven Scale
1,139 franchised outlets at year-end 2025 with net system growth of 25 units that year.
the financial-performance disclosure Disclosure
Net Royalty Sales data reported for 997 stores open the full 52-week fiscal 2025 period, including ranges, averages, medians and percentile performance.
Defined Territory
Non-exclusive 1-mile radius Area of Responsibility in which the franchisor will not open or allow another Marco's Pizza store except for Special Venues.
About Marco's Pizza
Marco's Pizza is a carryout, delivery, and casual-dining pizza chain founded in 2004 by Pasquale Giammarco and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. The brand operates under Marco's Franchising, LLC, a subsidiary of Marco's Pizza Holdings, LLC. As of the end of fiscal 2025 the system included 1,184 locations, the large majority franchised.
Franchisees operate stores that produce and sell pizza along with beverages, salads, CheezyBread, sandwiches, Pizzolis, chicken wings and desserts. Sales channels include carryout, delivery, in-store dining and catering. Operations follow a defined system covering proprietary recipes and equipment, store layout and design, operational procedures, training, and advertising programs.
Marco’s Pizza Holdings, LLC (“MPH”) is a Delaware limited liability company formed on May 25, 2017. MPH is the direct parent of Marco’s Franchising, LLC and also owns subsidiaries including Boise Marco’s, LLC, MP Marks, LLC, Marco’s Technology Services, LLC and others that support the Marco’s Pizza system.
The business model
How a Marco's Pizza territory actually makes money at the unit level.
Initial Franchise Fee
Standard fee is $25,000. Discounts available for qualified first responders, military veterans, veterans with disability, and key management employees.
Ongoing Fees
Royalty of 5.5 percent of Net Royalty Sales, subject to increase to 6.0 percent. Advertising contribution currently 1 percent to the Brand Development Fund plus geography-based national and regional funds up to a combined 5.5 percent total.
Initial Investment Range
Estimated $286,477 to $811,186 for a single unit, encompassing franchise fee, real estate, equipment, leasehold improvements, signage, inventory, insurance, training, technology, brand launch program and working capital.
Supply Chain Structure
Franchisees must purchase from approved suppliers including affiliates Marco's Pizza Distribution and Marco's Technology Services. Proprietary seasonings, dough, sauce and cleaning systems are required from approved sources.
Multi-Unit Development
Development agreements available with per-store development fees of $5,000. Royalty incentive program offers reduced rates for operators committing to 3-5 stores opened on schedule.
Financial Performance Representation
the financial-performance disclosure reports 2025 Net Royalty Sales for 997 franchised stores open the full fiscal year, with low of $289,736, high of $2,052,737, and counts and percentages of stores exceeding category averages and the $1 million threshold.
Quick facts
Initial franchise fee
$25,000
Total investment range
$286,477 to $811,186
Royalty
5.50% of gross revenue
Marketing fund
1.00% of gross revenue
Founded
2004
Headquarters
Toledo, OH
Active US franchisees
2563
Total US units
3357
Training & support
What the franchisor + parent platform provide. And what they don't.
What's provided
- +Marco's University Online eLearning: 18.3 hours
- +101 Virtual Format classroom training: 40 hours
- +Operational Excellence Lab 6-week training store practicum: 266 on-the-job hours at a certified training store
- +Introduction to Operational Excellence 102 classroom training at Support Center: 40 hours
- +Total initial training approximately 363 hours over 9 weeks for the first store
- +Ongoing support, mandatory and recommended changes to operations manuals, and additional training courses as deemed necessary by the franchisor
Honest disclosure: what's NOT provided
No training is provided for Key Management Employees participating in the reduced-fee program or for second and subsequent stores beyond what the franchisor deems appropriate in its sole judgment. Training is offered only in English. The franchisor does not provide, install or deliver equipment and supplies.
Multi-unit growth path
Development agreements are available for operators committing to multiple units with a $5,000 per-store development fee. The 2026 Royalty Incentive Program offers 0 percent royalty for the first six accounting periods and 2.5 percent for periods 7-18 for qualifying operators who sign and pay full initial fees for 3 to 5 stores and open them on the prescribed schedule. Subsequent stores receive reduced initial training at the franchisor's discretion. Multi-unit operators must maintain operational standards across all locations and may qualify for equipment incentives on additional units.
Capital + financing paths
Most operators use one of these four paths to fund the initial investment.
SBA Loan Programs
Many Marco's Pizza franchisees utilize SBA 7(a) or 504 loans. Franchisor is not affiliated with any specific lender but provides required the filed disclosures and operational information to approved lenders.
Veterans and First Responder Incentives
Initial franchise fee reductions or waivers for qualified veterans, veterans with disability, and first responders can lower upfront capital requirements.
Equipment Incentive Program
Qualifying existing franchisees may receive initial franchise fee waiver on additional units in conjunction with equipment financing or lease arrangements through approved suppliers.
Traditional Bank and Alternative Lenders
Franchisees commonly secure conventional bank loans, equipment leases, or alternative financing using personal assets, retirement funds via ROBS, or investor capital.
Process timeline: inquiry → grand opening
Typical 12-16 week path from first call to launching your first customer route.
Discovery & Validation
Review the filed disclosures, speak with franchisor leadership, visit corporate headquarters in Toledo, and analyze the financial-performance disclosure data against personal financial criteria.
Application & Approval
Submit franchise application. Franchisor reviews financial qualifications, operational experience and alignment with brand standards.
Site Selection
Identify and secure location within approved 1-mile Area of Responsibility. Submit site package for franchisor approval.
Design & Build-Out
Engage approved architect, contractor and suppliers. Complete leasehold improvements, equipment installation and technology setup within franchisor specifications.
Training
Complete 9-week initial training program of 363 hours combining online, virtual, in-store practicum and classroom sessions.
Pre-Opening & Launch
Stock inventory, hire and train staff, execute Brand Launch Program, and open store under operational excellence standards.
Grand Opening & Support
Begin operations with field support. Meet performance metrics or face potential Brand Launch Program remediation.
Match assessment
Are you a Marco's Pizza match?
12 questions. Math-first. No high-pressure sales call afterwards. Just your match assessment and the reasoning behind it.
Start nowCommon questions
How much does a Marco's Pizza franchise cost?
Estimated initial investment ranges from $286,477 to $811,186 according to the investment disclosure of the the filed disclosures. This includes a $25,000 initial franchise fee plus real estate, equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, technology, brand launch program and working capital.
What is the royalty fee for Marco's Pizza?
The royalty is 5.5 percent of Net Royalty Sales, subject to adjustment up to a maximum of 6.0 percent. A reduced royalty incentive program is available for qualifying multi-unit developers.
Does Marco's Pizza provide a financial performance representation?
Yes. the financial-performance disclosure discloses 2025 Net Royalty Sales for 997 franchised stores open the full fiscal year, including ranges from $289,736 to $2,052,737, percentile performance, and the number and percentage of stores exceeding category averages and the $1 million threshold.
How many Marco's Pizza locations are there?
As of year-end 2025 the system had 1,184 locations, of which 1,139 were franchised and 45 were company-owned.
What training does Marco's Pizza provide to new franchisees?
Initial training totals approximately 363 hours over 9 weeks, consisting of 18.3 hours of online eLearning, 40 hours virtual classroom, 266 hours on-the-job training at a certified training store, and 40 hours of classroom training at the Support Center.
Does Marco's Pizza offer territory exclusivity?
Franchisees receive a non-exclusive 1-mile radius Area of Responsibility in which the franchisor will not open or allow another Marco's Pizza store except for designated Special Venues. Delivery areas are separately defined.
What is the difference between Marco's Pizza and its competitors?
Marco's emphasizes an authentic Italian pizza heritage, proprietary recipes and ingredients, a 1-mile protected radius, and a comprehensive 363-hour training program. The brand has grown steadily with 121 net new franchised units added from 2023 through 2025.
Are there discounts on the Marco's Pizza franchise fee?
Yes. Qualified first responders receive a $20,000 fee, veterans $15,000, veterans with 50 percent or greater service-connected disability receive a full waiver, and qualifying key management employees may receive fees from $5,000 to $15,000.
How long does it take to open a Marco's Pizza franchise?
The typical timeline from signing to opening is 6 to 9 months, depending on site acquisition, permitting, construction or remodel, and completion of the 9-week training program.
What do Marco's Pizza franchisees say in reviews?
Prospective buyers should speak directly with current and former franchisees listed in the the filed disclosures. The the franchisee-history section shows low termination rates in recent years (9 terminations and 5 non-renewals in 2025) and steady net unit growth.
Does Marco's Pizza require multi-unit ownership?
Single-unit franchises are available. However, development agreements and royalty incentives are structured to encourage multi-unit operators who can meet development schedules and operational standards.
Who supplies ingredients and equipment to Marco's Pizza franchisees?
Franchisees must purchase from approved suppliers including franchisor affiliates for proprietary seasonings, dough, sauce, equipment via Marco's Pizza Distribution, and POS and technology via Marco's Technology Services.
Brand logos displayed for identification purposes only. Hot N Fresh is not affiliated with the brands listed unless explicitly stated.