Marco's Pizza

Pizza company Marco's Franchising is on the rise. The operator of the Marco's Pizza chain, the company has more than 200 franchised and company-managed pizza restaurants located in 17 states and the Bahamas. Its restaurants, many of which are located in mid-western and southern states, offer Italian-style pizza, as well as hot subs, salads, and meatballs. The company also manages its own distribution operations that serve about half of the chain's restaurants. Marco's Pizza was founded by Italian immigrant Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco, who opened the first Marco's location in Ohio in 1978 and then worked to expand the business until 2004, when current CEO Jack Butorac bought the rights to the franchise.