Marco's Pizza Announces 40-Store Expansion Plan for Oklahoma, Opens New Store in Edmond

Marco's Pizza, an authentic Italian pizza company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, opened its second Oklahoma location on Monday, May 10. Kevin Wilkerson, a resident of Edmond, owns and operates the new store. Wilkerson is also a Marco's Pizza area representative with plans to develop 40 locations across Oklahoma: 25 stores in Oklahoma City and the Central Oklahoma region and 15 stores in the Tulsa metro and surrounding areas.

The new Marco's Pizza store is located at 17900 N. Western Avenue in Edmond and the phone number is (405) 513-5355. Marco's also has a second location in Broken Arrow and will open a Lawton store in June.

"Marco's Pizza is in the process of expanding nationwide and Oklahoma is a fairly new territory," said Wilkerson. "We are excited about the opportunity to introduce Edmond and Oklahoma City to Marco's high-quality pizza. We make fresh dough every day in our stores and use a proprietary sauce recipe and blend of three fresh cheeses. Customers will enjoy the Marco's Pizza difference."

Wilkerson, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, has found that franchising requires a range of the leadership and business skills he developed both in the military and as an owner of a mergers and acquisitions firm.

"I have really enjoyed the wide variety of responsibilities as an area representative and the opportunity to work with a team toward the common goal of expanding the Marco's Pizza brand throughout the region," he said. "I think people with military backgrounds can often be a great fit for this work and I love being in on the ground floor of a great idea."

"Marco's Pizza's development in Oklahoma City and Tulsa is a wonderful testament to our company's growth," said Jack Butorac, Marco's president and CEO. "Marco's has a great future in Oklahoma."

Marco's Pizza stores employ up to 20 to 25 people and offer carryout, delivery, dine-in and online ordering. Marco's menu features the company's Ah!thentic Italian pizza, Cheezybread, chicken wings, fresh-baked subs, meatballs, salads, soft drinks and more. Marco's operates more than 200 stores in 17 states and the Bahamas and has more than 1,000 stores in development, making it the fastest-growing pizza company in the U.S. For more information about Marco's Pizza visit www.marcos.com. To inquire about franchise opportunities e-mail dallen@marcos.com.

About Marco's Franchising, LLC (www.marcos.com)

Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza (Marco's Franchising, LLC) is the fastest-growing pizza company in the U.S. (based on the number of stores signed into development since 2007). Marco's was founded in 1978 by Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and is committed to making Ah!thentic Italian pizza with fresh ingredients. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate more than 200 stores in 17 states and the Bahamas. Marco's is now recognized as one of the top-performing restaurant franchises in the country.