TOLEDO, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Surrounding Veterans Day, Marco’s Pizza will host free pizza parties for military veterans at local VFW posts, VA hospitals and American Legions nationwide, with certain pizza boxes containing certificates for special surprise gifts, such as much-needed wheelchair ramps, medical bill assistance or plane tickets to visit family.
The nation’s fastest growing pizza company, with more than 700 locations, reports that franchises are staffing up with additional team members to help prep and deliver hundreds of pizzas to the veteran’s organizations around the country. Many franchisees also worked directly with local groups to identify veterans with specific immediate needs to receive the surprise certificates when they open their pizza boxes.
In addition to serving up the donations and pizzas, Marco’s is offering veterans another slice of the pie. Recently ranked amongst Military Times’ Top Five Best Franchise Opportunities for Military Veterans, Marco’s Pizza is also rolling out programs designed to help veterans gain entry to careers and business ownership in the lucrative pizza industry.
“Many companies donate money for vets on Veterans Day, which should be continued and recognized,” said Marco’s President Bryon Stephens. “The pizza parties and surprise certificates are just a small gesture to recognize the national holiday. Beyond that, we’re striving to have a meaningful, long-term positive impact with substantial recruitment and apprenticeship programs to help veterans enter back into a civilian workforce.”
To that end, Marco’s appointed Richard Scott Quagliata, a military veteran with more than 20 years of experience, as Vice President of Veterans’ Program and Recruiting. Quagliata will focus on facilitating passionate, disciplined leaders’ entry into the Marco’s management and apprenticeship pipeline with a focus on transitioning veterans. He has already implemented a Career Skills Program which affords soldiers to gain career skills during their last six months of duty at a Marco’s Pizza location. There is currently one program approved in Fort Jackson, SC with two others pending approval at Forts Benning and Stewart, GA.
“Having transitioned from the military myself, I understand the requirements of this transition,” Quagliata said. “We’re providing vehicles not just for employment for these men and women, but for careers. We’re looking to facilitate a long-term relationship; a path to ownership.”
Recently, Marco’s recruited its first member in the Veteran’s arm of the program, Tallon Snyder of Mount Juliette, Tenn. Snyder, who served in the Air Force for three years, has been placed as General Manager of a nearby local store with the ability to apply for the Apprenticeship Program after reaching identified benchmarks. Through the Apprenticeship Program, qualified applicants can work their way toward ownership of a Marco’s Pizza.
“The opportunity I’ve received through the Recruitment Program has given me another step in my career path, and has helped guide my vision of what I want to accomplish as a leader,” said Snyder. “Taking on the role of General Manager will allow me to help a young team grow and develop into a strong, cohesive unit, and that’s the kind of difference I’m striving to make.”
As the only national franchise chain founded by a native Italian, Marco’s Pizza has carved out a niche in the industry as the expert in authentic Italian pizza, known for its fresh never-frozen dough made daily on site, a proprietary cheese blend that is fresh never-frozen and a secret pizza sauce recipe. With plans to open 150 new stores every year, the 700+ unit company aims to reach 1,000 stores by 2017. Averaging at least one store opening every three days, the veteran’s recruitment programs serve as an innovative way to continue growth with a hard-working, dedicated team.
ABOUT MARCO’S PIZZA:
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza is the fastest-growing pizza company in the United States (based on the number of stores signed into development since 2007). Marco’s was founded in 1978 by Italian born, Pasquale (“Pat”) Giammarco and thrives by making Italian Pizza with fresh ingredients. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate 700 stores in 34 states, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and India. Most recently, Marco’s Pizza was ranked No. 2 on Forbes’ Top 10 Franchises to Invest In in the medium investment range and the No. 2 fastest growing U.S. chain on the Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 report. To inquire about franchise opportunities with Marco’s Pizza visit marcosfranchising.com.
