Marco’s Pizza announces growth plans for Virginia

Marco’s Pizza, based in Toledo, Ohio, is eyeing Virginia for expansion. The Italian pizza chain already has opened two locations in Richmond and Chesapeake and has plans for six more.

According to the company, the six new franchise partnerships, expected to create more than 150 new jobs, are projected to be open and operating within the next six months

The Marco’s Pizza locations will open under the leadership of Joe Walker, a military veteran who joined the company’s team five years ago. Walker, who lives in South Carolina, owns a total of 16 Marco’s Pizza stores.

Targeted development markets in Virginia, in which Walker and other area representatives are actively seeking franchise partners, include Charlottesville and Richmond. Currently there is one lease signed in Mechanicsville.

“With a supportive pro-business climate and a large, highly skilled labor force, Virginia is a prime location for growth in local communities,” Cameron Cummins, chief development officer at Marco’s Pizza, said in a statement. “We are still at the ground floor of our development in Virginia, making it an exciting expansion region for us. “

Marco’s is the only national franchise chain founded by a native Italian. Pasquale (“Pat”) Giammarco started the company in 1978.  It now operates 700 stores in 35 states, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and India. The company says it is poised to reach 1,000 locations in 2017.