25-Year Restaurant Veteran to Open 25 Marco's Pizzas, Home of Ah! Thentic Italian Pizza, in Maryland, Virginia, West VA (Washington, DC Southwest Corridor)

FALLS CHURCH, VA--(Marketwire - August 20, 2008) - Robert Swarts, a 25-year veteran of restaurant operations and franchise relations for Applebees, Starbucks, Domino's Pizza and others, started his own operation, Straws Development, LLC, and will open up to 25 Marco's Pizzas, a rapidly growing 30-year-old pizza company, in the Washington, DC metro area of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

According to Swarts, who will be assisted in the effort by his wife Ellen, a certified public accountant, the first Marco's Pizza for his operation will open in Fredericksburg, VA in Fall 2008.

Jack Butorac, Jr., president of Marco's Franchising, LLC, announced the growth agreement. Butorac and a team of veteran franchise development experts are steering the company on a growth curve and they will open 50 stores this year. Recently the company reported same store sales increases for the 7th consecutive quarter.

Swarts is a graduate of James Madison University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in restaurant management, and Ohio University where he earned a Masters of Business Administration. Ellen Swarts is also a graduate of James Madison where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in accounting.

"We were looking for a concept that we could execute on our own, and Marco's has the product and people in place to make it work," Swarts said.

Marco's Pizza in the southwest Washington metro area will provide the Marco's menu of custom made Ah! Thentic Italian Pizzas, fresh baked subs, chicken wings, salads and soft drinks with carryout, delivery and some sit-down service.

Marco's Pizza was founded by an Italian immigrant who used many of his family recipes in starting the company. The company maintains the founder's same standards for freshness, flavor and quality of product.

Additional information on Swarts' company is available by calling 703-795-3824 or by emailing dallen@marcos.com or swarts@marcospizza.net.

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