PHOENIX, July 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Marco's Pizza, the 27-year-old 136-store chain headquartered in Toledo, OH, which earlier this spring announced an agreement with Tom M. Herman, a former Toledo entrepreneur and civic leader, to open 30 stores in Maricopa County, Phoenix, AZ, announced that Herman will open his first two stores in Phoenix in August 2005.
They are located at 446 N. Higley, Suite 105, Mesa, a 1,560 square feet facility, and at the Fry Grocery Center, Gilbert, a 1550 square feet facility.
Herman, a graduate of Arizona State University, said that both stores will offer customers seven days a week Marco's pick up and delivery service of its menu of custom made pizza, fresh baked subs, salads, chicken wings and soft drinks.
Herman said that Bill Worth, formerly of Toledo and an employee with Herman's company there, will manage the Mesa Store and that Richard Yahrmarkt, another former Herman employee and Toledo resident will manage the Gilbert store. Herman plans to hire 20-25 employees per store.
Herman, who founded The Image Group, a Toledo promotional advertising company, also had been active in civic affairs in Northwest Ohio. He was past president of the Toledo Area Small Business Association and past chairman of the Lucas County Workforce Investment Board. He was appointed by Ohio Gov. Taft to serve on the State of Ohio Governor's Workforce Policy Board. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce, The Leadership Fund, Sylvania Academic Excellence Foundation and the Lucas County Workforce Investment Board.
Jack Butorac, Jr., Marco's Franchising LLC president, acquired the franchising rights to Marco's Pizza last year from its founder Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco, who remains with the company in charge of product development and as the owner of Marco's stores in northwest Ohio. Butorac said the announcement Phoenix expansion is a giant step in the Marco's growth plans to double the current number of units.
There are currently 136 Marco's Pizza units in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Nevada. Additional information is available at www.marcos.com or by emailing Dallen@marcos.com