On track to reach its goal of 1,500 stores open by 2020, Marco’s Pizza, the nation’s fastest growing pizza company, hired restaurant industry veterans John Ramsay and Travis Edmonson to continue strong development through strategic selection of both franchise partners and new store sites.
An expert in the field with extensive experience in restaurant development, Ramsay, vice president of franchise development services, brings nearly three decades of experience in franchising and real estate. Prior to joining Marco’s Pizza, Ramsay spent 28 years in restaurant development for leading national brands such as Jack in The Box, TGI Friday’s, Long John Silver’s and Sbarro. He brings with him an extensive network of connections in franchising and development on a regional and national level, and will oversee development of new territories while driving franchise sales at Marco’s Pizza.
With a strategic focus on franchise sales, Edmonson’s seasoned history in business development will provide valued insight to the company’s franchise growth strategy. His main responsibility as vice president of franchise sales and development will be to orchestrate the development and execution of effective franchise sales programs. Edmonson’s background is cemented in the food industry, working with various pizza and restaurant concepts such as J&H Foods, Cheezies Pizza and Campero USA on the global and regional levels.
“Marco’s Pizza is only as successful as the people behind the brand,” says president Bryon Stephens. “As we’re on the fast track to becoming a 1,500-unit brand, the proven track records of John and Travis will provide us invaluable insight and direction. Enhancing the franchise development process and experience is especially critical as we continue on this journey to becoming an even bigger player in the pizza industry.”
Opening a new store every three days, Marco’s Pizza is on track to add well over 100 new locations this year alone, pushing the brand to 900+ locations open by the end of 2017. Marco’s Pizza’s rapid growth is a result of its strong corporate backing, ability to take market share, unit-level profitability, high Italian food standards as well as capability to attract top talent among its franchisees and corporate staff.
As the only national franchise chain founded by a native Italian, Marco’s Pizza has carved out a niche in the industry as the expert in authentic Italian pizza, known for its fresh never-frozen dough made daily on site, a proprietary cheese blend that is fresh never-frozen and a secret pizza sauce recipe.
