Marco's Pizza

[metro]

Pizza chain plans 38 Okla. eateries

August 13, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY – Marco’s Pizza, a national chain, is planning to open 38 stores in Oklahoma City and Tulsa beginning in October. The company, which began in Toledo, Ohio, in 1978, has 159 pizza restaurants in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada and Arizona.

Jack Butorac, president of Marcos Franchising LLC, said a franchise agreement was signed locally with MG Pizza Ventures.Plans call for 21 of the stores to open in Oklahoma City and 17 in the Tulsa area.The Marco’s Web site reports the initial franchise fee is $17,500 for each franchised location. The ongoing royalty rate after the store opens is 5.5 percent of net sales. Between the franchise fee and equipping the actual store, Marco’s estimates the costs to open one of the restaurants runs from about $150,000 up to $315,000 for each location.

Ron Hingst, spokesman for Marco’s, said in recent years the company hired another company that assesses retail markets around the country. He said the study looked at about 100 markets where a pizza store would have a good chance of success.When Oklahoma was identified as a potential market, the next step was to look for local investors.He said the company has opened successful operations in the last few years in Florida, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada.

The company hopes to have 500 stores established by 2010.Hingst said the decision to open so many locations in Oklahoma was based on the strength of the market and the company’s hope that people are ready for a different pizza chain. “They think there are enough good locations and enough of a market,” Hingst said.Each store will have a staff of about 25.And when it comes to competition, Hingst said the company is not looking to go head-to-head with the large pizza chains. “Whenever you think in this country that we don’t have room for another pizza store, if you put out a good product and provide good service, there’s always room,” Hingst said.

[venture]

Well...call me shocked. Never thought I would see them down here, but definitely not a bad thing. Pizza isn't bad at all and they definitely compete well with the other guys. They have a good variety, not just pizza, which helps set them apart. They are probably closer to a Pizza Shuttle like place than a Dominos or Papa John's.

[redrunner]

Marco's Pizza just opened at NW 178th & Western in OKC/wanna be Edmond. I haven't tried it yet but my neighbor said it was good. Prices are a little steep but their pizza doesn't look cheap like Little Caesar's.

[Steve]

Family had it tonight. It was certainly better than Little Caesars. But they're opening in the midst of a pizza price war, and I'm not sure their prices can compete.

[redrunner]

Steve, do you live in this area? I would have imagined you live near downtown for some reason. Make sure to sign up for their emails, I received a coupon for a free order of Cheezybread. Yeah, hopefully they run some great specials, because with 2 Little Caesars and a Cheezie's nearby, they definitely have some competition to be aware of.

[Steve]

redrunner, the key to any happy marriage is to always remember that it's the wife who gets to pick the house....

[pizzafan]

Redrunner, there is definitely a pizza war going on but you must admit that a lot of times, you get what you pay for. Places like little ceasers and pizza hut are in a price point pizza war with a product that is not so great. I would rather pay a few extra bucks for a GREAT pizza than a lame pizza for 5 or 10 bucks.

Keep that in mind when everyone says, "that's a great deal". That is a great deal for a bad pizza! Marco's Pizza is amazing with cheese that is never frozen like everyone else, dough is made daily, and the sauce is made daily...CAN"T BEAT THAT!!

[metro]

National pizza chain opens location in Oklahoma
OKCBiz Staff
5.10.2010

Marco’s Pizza, a pizza company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, opened its second Oklahoma location today at 17900 N Western Ave. in Edmond. Kevin Wilkerson of Edmond owns and operates the store.


“Marco’s Pizza is in the process of expanding nationwide, and Oklahoma is a fairly new territory,” Wilkerson said. Marco’s Pizza is the fastest-growing pizza company in the U.S., based on the number of stores signed into development since 2007.

[metro]

http://www.okctalk.com/okc-metro-are...kc-market.html

[FritterGirl]

Family had it tonight. It was certainly better than Little Caesars. But they're opening in the midst of a pizza price war, and I'm not sure their prices can compete.

I agree. We don't get pizza very often, and we'll probably try it once or twice, but it's pretty pricey comparatively. Their carry-out location, with marble counter top and interior stonework, is pretty swanky compared to some other similar carry-out places.

I am cracking up at his promo-wrapped car - the Mercedes Coupe. I see it driving around the neighborhood.

[Steve]

I noticed that too. Not sure they're communicating the right message. Quite honestly, most folks are looking to pay for a good pizza, but really won't be impressed by a marble counter at a take-out place or a Mercedes delivery car. Makes you think you're paying for that as part of the price for the pizza.

[FritterGirl]

Makes you think you're paying for that as part of the price for the pizza.

That's exactly what I thought.

[RealJimbo]

I may not be representative of anything, but Little Caesar's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's are all way inferior IMO to Hideaway and Old Chicago, both much more expensive places. I don't eat what costs the least, I eat what I like the most.

[mooshie]

I had Marco's Pizza last night. It's good quality for the price.

[decepticobra]

Marco's Pizza just opened at NW 178th & Western in OKC/wanna be Edmond.

LOL, why would anyone want to be Edmond? Maybe its Edmond thats trying to be like OKC, Norman or any other part of town?

[alan]

Marcos is really very good for a chain, would definitely pick it long before any chain.

Kevin, the franchise owner has been a customer at Vintage since they first started looking into this area over a year ago. He is a really good guy, and he gets a kick out of the wrapped Mercedes.

They've delivered a number of pies to our shop, and i've enjoyed each one. handmade crust and high quality cheese and fresh ingredients. seems like a winning formula to me.

[Cindie8696]

LOL, why would anyone want to be Edmond? Maybe its Edmond thats trying to be like OKC, Norman or any other part of town?

I think that what redrunner was saying was that 178th and Western is almost Edmond...it's half a mile from Edmond city limits, has Edmond mailing address, Edmond schools, etc.

[old okie]

Gave the new pizza place a try today; don't plan on "dining in"! They only have two small tables, limited space, and an awkward layout. That said, the pizza was really good! We called it in, then went to pick it up. Had to wait about 10 min. in the store, plus the 10-15 at home. We took advantage of the coupon they'd sent in the mail.

Pros: great crust [we had thin], properly cooked, plenty of toppings [we tried the garden and the chicken fresco], good cheese, and tasty sauce.

Cons: received cheezy bread as a "freebie" with the specialty pizza; okay, but too much garlic for our personal taste. They did provide two very small cups of dipping sauce, which wouldn't have been enough if we'd wanted to eat all the bread sticks.

Will we go back? Maybe. It is pricey [about like Hideaway], but sometimes the price is worth it for "good" pizza.

Anyone else try it yet?

[MikeOKC]

Is this the same Marco's Pizza that is a chain? I had Marco's Pizza in Las Vegas and it was delicious! Is this the same thing or something local?

[old okie]

Is this the same Marco's Pizza that is a chain? I had Marco's Pizza in Las Vegas and it was delicious! Is this the same thing or something local?

It is a chain; according to the paper, it is based out of Ohio, if I recall correctly. There was an article about it w/in the past week; don't remember which day. On their brochure, they list locations in Edmond, Broken Arrow, & the one on S. Penn as their OK locations.

[Martin]

we went friday night... ordered at 7pm. went to pick it up 30 minutes later and they were beyond swamped. our order wasn't even in the oven at 8:20pm when i cancelled it. i'll give the place another chance given the circumstances but it wasn't a great first impression. -M

[metro]

Location?

[old okie]

we went friday night... ordered at 7pm. went to pick it up 30 minutes later and they were beyond swamped. our order wasn't even in the oven at 8:20pm when i cancelled it. i'll give the place another chance given the circumstances but it wasn't a great first impression. -M

They were definitely "scattered" in their handling of the orders, etc. Had a sign up saying that they were still in "training" and asking for patience. Reminded us of the "next great restaurant" show with Bobbly Flay, et al., going to fund new restaurant concepts. The ideas and ingredients are good, but the actual execution of the the process [taking care of customers] is lacking.

We noticed their awkward placement of the drive-up window and a lack of people to work the phones and registers.

Hopefully, some time will give them a chance to do a better job.

Did you go to the one on S. Penn or the one in Edmond?

[old okie]

Location?

Just south of the CVS at S.W. 119th & S. Penn in the strip shopping center west side of the street. It's just two shops north of the Stuffed Olive restaurant.

[MikeOKC]

I just checked their website and this IS the same 'Marco's Pizza' I ate at in Las Vegas. Good stuff. Glad to know they've made it to OKC.