Marco's Pizza Paves Way for Expansion into Philadelphia Market with Multi-Unit Agreement

Marco's Pizza, one of America's fastest-growing pizza brands, has announced its entry into the Philadelphia market. The expansion will be through a two-unit area development agreement led by seasoned pizza industry veteran Jack Praizner. The first store is expected to open in Bethlehem in Q3 2025, followed by a location in Whitehall in Q4 of the same year.

Praizner, a Folsom, Pennsylvania resident, brings over twenty years of experience in the pizza industry to Marco's brand. He began his career as a Domino's employee at age 15, quickly ascending the ranks to become a multi-unit franchisee. After owning and operating 12 Domino's locations, Praizner sold his establishments in 2021. Ready to re-enter the industry, he was attracted to Marco's because of its high-quality product, modern store design, and robust corporate support. He sees significant growth potential for the brand in his home market.

"I knew exactly what I was looking for in my next venture: a brand with great growth potential and a product that stands out," said Praizner. "Philadelphia is ready for Marco's – it's a blank canvas, and I see incredible potential here."

Praizner's vision extends beyond just business expansion. He is committed to investing in people, nurturing his district managers, and equipping them with the skills and confidence required to become franchise owners. By fostering a culture of empowerment and entrepreneurship, Praizner aims to create a pipeline of future leaders to carry Marco's legacy forward.

Gerardo Flores, Marco's Pizza's chief development officer, commended Praizner's leadership and passion for mentorship. He stated that his attributes make him an ideal partner to lead Marco's debut in Philadelphia. Flores expressed confidence in Praizner's ability to grow the market and cultivate future franchisees.

As development grows, Marco's leadership prioritizes a development support system, including tech tools that help identify territories for expansion, real estate, construction management, field operations, and financing information.

FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm analyzing the franchise market, has ranked Marco's 2024 FUND Score among the top 10 of all evaluated franchise systems. Marco's ranks among the top 3 scores for all QSR brands and is No. 2 in the pizza category, maintaining its strong position from 2023.