It was important to us to invest in a brand that we believe in. The support center was very helpful. The support staff was always there to support me, and that made a big difference for me.  

What we’re really looking for, and how we build that culture, is giving them the tools for success. We have been given the formula, and especially with Marco’s, the product is so superior to our competition. 

There’s nothing in business that’s more of a partnership than a franchise system. We all bought into a system—it’s the same system. There’s nothing you can go through that I haven’t already been through or somebody else hasn’t already been through. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and reach out to one of us. We’ll give you advice, we’ll talk things out. 

There are going to be micro speed bumps along the way. We’ve learned how to navigate them, how to improvise, and overcome as well. They want us to get better because the brand gets better, and we get better in turn.  

Marco’s is a people business that happens to sell pizza. If we didn’t have that kind of culture, I don’t think we’d have the success that we’ve had. That stewardship of the business is really critical. 

We really focus on two things in our organization: executing the product—which is not just the pizza, but that also encompasses the environment of the store, the hospitality of the staff, the dress code, the vision—and then serving our community. 

We all need to work together in concert so that the brand overall continues to be successful and the brand recognition continues to grow overall. We’re all in it together. 

Our stores are just a box full of stainless steel until you add the people. We’re not just in the pizza business together—we’re doing life together. And that makes a difference when you’re working with people that you know care about you, and they know you care about them. 

What I can tell you for sure is Pat Giammarco and the team have perfected how to operate a Marco’s. Follow that model, and you’ll succeed.