Fast-growing pizza chain to open 15 new stores in region

TAMPA – Marco’s Pizza, a fast-growing national pizza brand headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, has signed a development agreement with investment group MPZ Holdings LLC that will bring 15 new stores to the Tampa Bay region by the end of 2024.

According to a news release, the deal is one of more than 125 franchise agreements Marco’s Pizza has signed over the past year. The brand boasts more than 1,000 locations nationwide and aims to grow that footprint by 10% by the end of 2021. More than 200 new stores are currently in development, the release states.

MPZ Holdings, which operates 21 Marco’s Pizza stores in South Carolina and Georgia, has already signed leases for space at 1147 Pinellas Ave. in Tarpon Springs and 28065 Highway 27 in Dundee; the firm expects those locations to be up and running in the first quarter of 2022, the release states, and has targeted the end of 2024 for all 15 stores to be open. The group is eyeing Oldsmar, Winter Haven and St. Petersburg for its next phase of development.

“We’re placing an emphasis on growing with incredible partners who truly embody our people-first approach to business,” Marco’s Pizza Vice President of Development Keith Sizemore states in the release. “When a proven franchise partner doubles down on their current investment to open 15 more stores, it speaks to the tremendous belief they have in the Marco’s brand. We are excited to have yet another group of ‘empire builders’ in our system, developing a strong market in Tampa.” 

On average, Marco’s Pizza opens a new store every three and a half days, the release states, and the top 50% of its franchised locations generate nearly $1.06 million in average unit volume.