Marco’s Pizza announced Ron Stilwell has been promoted to Chief Development Officer. The announcement comes at an essential time as the brand ramps up development efforts in markets across the nation and rapidly approaches the opening of its 1,000 store.
Stilwell will oversee all of the brand’s franchise sales, real estate, and construction for all new locations—a role that will be vital for those who look to join the brand. Prior to joining Marco’s Pizza, he spent the last 35 years in the restaurant and franchise industry helping brands like Taco Bell, Kahala Corp., Peter Piper Pizza, and Red Robin drive growth and improve profitability. Now as Marco’s Pizza grows to new heights, Stilwell will help drive the company’s focus on people, product and process to uphold the brand promise. Combined, these efforts will drive Marco’s larger mission of being the Pizza of Choice, Employer of Choice, and Partner of Choice in markets across the country.
“The culture and people behind Marco’s Pizza is what truly gravitated me towards the brand—these are key factors that continue to move the brand forward and continue its growth,” says Stilwell. “After 35 years working in development and franchising, I felt I could help and be a part of Marco’s growing to 1,500 stores and beyond. This is an exciting career transition for me.”
Most recently, Stilwell spent the last two years as an Area Representative and franchisee for Marco’s Pizza. He built six locations and learned the ins and outs of the brand while learning more about the people who help make the brand successful. After becoming impressed with the leadership team, the Area Representatives in the system, and the quality of the product, Stilwell was hooked on Marco’s and was confident he could help take the popular pizza restaurant to the next level by re-entering corporate America.
“Ron knows what it takes to be a part of the Marco’s Pizza family and what our franchisees need in order to see success,” adds Tony Libardi, president and Chief Operating Officer of Marco’s Pizza. “Ron will help develop a new system to streamline development processes in an effort to attract more multi- unit owned stores, and reduce the cost of build-out so economic models remain strong for the franchisee, while assuring customers have a primo experience.”
Opening a new store every three to four days currently, Marco’s Pizza is committed to increasing that pace significantly in 2019, and aims to have 1,500 locations open by late 2020.
As the only national pizza franchise chain founded by a native Italian, Marco’s Pizza has carved out a niche in the industry for authentic Italian quality pizza, known for its fresh dough made daily onsite, a proprietary cheese blend that is fresh, never-frozen, and a secret original pizza sauce recipe from its founder Pat Giammarco.
