Marco’s Pizza is looking to grab a “bigger slice of the pie” in Chicago’s competitive marketplace. The nation’s fastest growing pizza company is opening its newest location at 1990 South Wolf Road in Wheeling, Illinois.
The opening marks a significant milestone, as the new restaurant will be the company’s 300th location nationwide, its first in Illinois, and its third as part of an innovative partnership with movie and game rentailer Family Video.
“Pizza lovers in Wheeling are in for a real treat,” says Keith Hoogland, CEO of Family Video, who has committed to operating Marco’s Pizza restaurants in one half of his company’s current 735 retail plazas. “I was attracted to the Marco’s brand because it was founded on Italian freshness and quality standards, making it stand out from all other well-known brands. All ingredients are genuinely fresh, fairly priced and truly craveable. I’m proud to open a Marco’s Pizza and offer such a quality product to the people of Wheeling.”
The Wheeling restaurant is the first of 25 that Hoogland plans to develop in Illinois alone. Because Family Video buys and develops most of its buildings and land, the company has the ability to easily convert existing retail space into a brand of its choice. Marco’s Pizza, looking to expand its national footprint, was an ideal choice, as the brands share an almost identical customer base and customer service philosophy.
An estimated 350 conversions will follow, primarily in the Midwest, potentially creating more than 7,000 new jobs over the next seven years.
“In this economic climate, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to expand, and we are following through with that goal in Illinois with Family Video,” says Jack Butorac, CEO of Marco’s Pizza. “With a strong real estate portfolio, and service-oriented culture, Family Video’s business model aligns well with Marco’s Pizza. This partnership is helping us achieve our expansion plans in Illinois.”
