Marco's Pizza Opens Operations Center of Excellence in Downtown Orlando

Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, celebrates the opening of its Operations Center of Excellence in downtown Orlando, including a ribbon cutting and ceremonial “First Slice” with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. The center provides franchisees with a hands-on place to train and creates an operational hub that helps support systemwide growth.

Held during National Pizza Month, the celebration brought together Marco’s executives, esteemed guests, franchisees, and community leaders. The program opened with remarks from Chief Operating Officer John Meyers and a toast from President and Co-CEO Tony Libardi. Mayor Dyer and Orlando Economic Partnership President and CEO Tim Giuliani joined Marco’s leadership to cut the ribbon.

“Great brands are built by great operators. This center gives our franchisees practical, hands-on training, and stronger operational support,” said Libardi. “As Marco’s grows, that investment will help us protect consistency and improve performance across the system.”

For the “First Slice,” Mayor Dyer hand-stretched fresh dough, topped his favorite pizza, the “Mayor’s Magnifico,” and took the first bite. Guests then sampled Marco’s pizzas in celebration of the opening.

“Marco’s made a commitment to downtown Orlando earlier this year, and today we celebrated that commitment becoming a reality,” said Mayor Dyer. “The Center will bring daytime activity to downtown’s streets, with Marco’s team members supporting small businesses and also taking advantage of all that our downtown has to offer.”

Franchisee Training Hub

A Hands-On Hub for Franchisee Training

The approximately 14,030-square-foot center serves as a corporate office, training destination, and operational hub. At its heart is a fully equipped training kitchen designed to replicate a Marco’s Pizza store kitchen, giving operators an immersive place to learn and practice the brand’s operating standards.

The center will host Marco’s University, which offers advanced training for franchisees, as well as Discovery Days for prospective franchisees. It will also bring franchisees, company leaders, and supply chain partners together to strengthen performance across the system.

“My career started at Walt Disney World, right here in Orlando, where I learned that great hospitality is trained,” said Meyers. “We built this center to train the way our operators actually work – in a real kitchen, at real speed. Execution is the foundation, and empowerment is what sets it apart.

Situational empowerment means every team member knows what great looks like and is trusted to make the right call for the guest in front of them. When someone turns a guest’s day around, even in a small way, it shows up in loyalty, retention and sales. That’s the operator this center is built to create.”

Responsible Growth Plans

Supporting Responsible Growth

The opening comes as Marco’s targets more than 80 new store openings in 2026. Florida is one of the brand’s largest markets, making Orlando a natural home for a center that supports franchisees across the system.

“Growth only matters if our operators are set up to perform, and this center is how we make sure they are,” said Gerardo Flores, Chief Development Officer of Marco’s Pizza. “When prospective franchisees visit for Discovery Day, they’ll see our commitment in action, not just on paper.”

Franchise Opportunities

Franchise Opportunities

For entrepreneurs looking to grow with a franchise brand that prioritizes operational excellence and innovation, Marco’s offers a compelling opportunity. The company’s Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program is designed to lower barriers for qualified multi-unit operators, with early-stage royalty incentives starting at 0%, along with comprehensive support in real estate, construction, and operations.

Prospects are taking note of the business opportunity, as Marco’s Franchise Disclosure Document reports $1.28M AUV for the top 25% of franchised stores in 2025.