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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Marco’s Pizza offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to own a delivery and carryout pizza restaurant with fresh dough made daily and support for multi-unit expansion.
Founded in 1978 in Toledo, Ohio, by Italian immigrant Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, Marco’s Pizza brings authentic Italian quality to American pizza. With a focus on fresh dough made in-store daily, a proprietary sauce recipe and three signature cheeses, Marco’s has grown into one of the fastest-growing pizza chains in the United States.
Mission: To create meaningful connections through memorable pizza moments by serving high-quality food and building strong community relationships.
Vision: To be the pizza brand of choice in every neighborhood, recognized for quality, convenience and growth-minded franchise opportunities.
Prime territories are still available in the U.S. and internationally.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment to open a Marco’s Pizza franchise ranges from $286,477 to $811,186. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Real Property | $6,000 | $22,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $97,725 | $175,000 |
| POS Computers | $20,000 | $23,000 |
| Credit Card Processing | $6,700 | $6,900 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $65,000 | $400,000 |
| Signage | $3,000 | $15,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $7,000 | $11,000 |
| Small Supplies | $14,200 | $18,500 |
| Deposits, Prepaid Expenses | $2,500 | $6,000 |
| Business Licenses | $500 | $3,000 |
| Insurance | $2,366 | $16,500 |
| Training Expenses | $1,250 | $9,350 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $500 | $5,000 |
| Architectural & Engineering | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Technology Fee | $336 | $336 |
| Delivery Area Database | $500 | $500 |
| Brand Launch Program | $15,500 | $25,500 |
| Store Technology Infrastructure System | $800 | $2,400 |
| Menu Boards | $600 | $1,200 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $9,000 | $30,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The standard initial franchise fee is $25,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement. Multi-unit discounts and veteran incentives are available, including up to $10,000 off for qualified veterans and a $5,000 discount for first responders.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Marco’s Pizza franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5.5% of net royalty sales/week |
| Marketing Fund | 2.5% of net royalty sales/week |
| Brand Development | 1% of net royalty sales/week |
| Local Store Marketing | Minimum of 7%/month minus the percentage contributed to the Brand Development Fund |
| Technology Fee | $27.96/week |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, 997 franchised stores were included in Marco’s Pizza’s fiscal year 2025 financial performance data. They reported the following net royalty sales:
Category | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 25% (250) | $1,288,466 | $1,213,859 | $2,052,737 | $1,052,095 |
| Top 50% (499) | $1,109,558 | $1,052,095 | $2,052,737 | $832,403 |
| Top 75% (748) | $989,693 | $919,833 | $2,052,737 | $661,994 |
| All (997) | $878,180 | $832,403 | $2,052,737 | $289,736 |
Before opening, Marco’s assists franchisees with site selection, real estate, restaurant development and the opening process. The support team helps franchisees prepare their location, build their team and complete the steps required to get the restaurant ready for customers.
Marco’s provides comprehensive onboarding, including six to eight weeks of operational training at corporate stores and additional pre-opening training at your location. Online modules and refresher courses are also available.
Franchisees benefit from ongoing support in marketing, technology, operations, supply chain logistics and site selection. Franchise business consultants regularly visit stores to provide hands-on guidance.
Marco’s offers enterprise-level support, including POS integration, mobile app ordering, loyalty programs and a digital marketing dashboard that allows franchisees to monitor performance and execute campaigns.
To open one store:
To open two stores:
To open three stores:
Marco’s prefers franchisees with restaurant or retail experience, but this is not required. Active owner-operators or franchise groups with dedicated operating partners are preferred. Semi-absentee ownership may be possible with qualified operators in place.
Marco’s is a registered SBA-approved franchise and has relationships with third-party lenders to help with financing startup costs and equipment.
Multi-unit operator Robert Pina, for example, was named IFA Franchisee of the Year in 2025. Pina began his career as an engineer and now owns 35 Marco’s Pizza stores across Houston, Phoenix, Denver and Colorado Springs. He credits the brand’s scalable model and strong support system for his success.
“Marco’s has given me the ability to create something bigger than myself and the opportunity to mentor future business owners, give back to the communities that support us and continue growing a brand I believe in,” Pina said.
With the U.S. pizza industry expected to reach $50.1 billion in 2025, Marco’s is well-positioned to capitalize on a strong consumer preference for affordable comfort food. Pizza remains one of the most recession-resistant QSR categories, with around 30% of Americans eating pizza at least once a week.
Marco’s competes with legacy brands like Domino’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut and Little Caesars. Its commitment to quality, fresh dough and strong unit economics make it a standout for franchise investors seeking QSR growth without over-saturation.
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