Former Restaurant Owner, Real Estate Developer to Open Up to 24 Marco's Pizzas in Iowa, Another 13 in Illinois

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA--(Marketwire - September 19, 2007) - Gary Black, a resident of Cedar Rapids, IA and former owner of The Fourth Street Station Restaurant and Bar in Waterloo, and Sam Hanna, a resident of North Liberty, IA and commercial realtor with Ambrose Companies in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, have signed an agreement to open up to 24 Marco's Pizzas, home of the Ah! Thentic Italian Pizza, in Iowa and another 13 in Illinois.

Jack Butorac, Jr., president of Marco's Franchising, LLC, based in Toledo, OH, announced the agreement with Black and Hanna and their company Big Hat Investments, LLC.

Black, a graduate of Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Farm Operations and Economics, is a former franchisee for TCBY Yogurt in Cedar Falls, where he owned and operated three stores. Hanna is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing.

According to Black, he and Hanna hope to open their first Marco's Pizza in Cedar Rapids in November. The Iowa and Illinois Marco's Pizza stores will offer a menu of custom made Ah! Thentic Italian pizza, fresh baked subs, salads, chicken wings and soft drinks with carryout, delivery and some sit down service.

Founded in Toledo 29 years ago by Italian native Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco, who used many of his family recipes in developing the company, Marco's Pizza currently has 159 units in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada with plans to be in 10 states by the end of 2007 and 500 units by 2010.

Additional information is available at www.marcos.com, by emailing dallen@marcos.com or by calling Black at 319-521-9435.

Contact Information: Contact: Ron Hingst 734/662-5544