Marco’s Pizza’s chief development officer, Ron Stilwell, on people-first culture, helping people live the American Dream and the new era of restaurants.
GF: What does success look like to you?
RS: Success to me is long-term. It is about being a part of a brand that continues to grow year after year with consistent and steady sales increases. Marco’s Pizza is one of those brands that has 40-plus years of proven success and continues to grow, not only with new candidates but also from within – the ultimate brand validation.
GF: What are the vital components behind a well-run organization?
RS: Proven leadership with a people-first mentality. At Marco’s, we often say we are in the people business, not the pizza business. Leaders of people-centric organizations understand that it is their people who make their business successful. In order to make this a reality for our brand, we’ve created a culture of people-first, meaning we are only as strong as our franchisees, dedicated team members, and loyal customers – putting people at the center of everything we do.
GF: What most interests you about franchising?
RS: One of the greatest and most interesting aspects of franchising is that it provides opportunity to achieve the American dream and help people develop and grow their own businesses, no matter their background.
Just recently we celebrated the opening of Marco’s milestone 1,000th store with proud owners Rafi Vargas and Kattya Barbaran. Vargas grew up in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States when he was 16 years old, working his way up in the restaurant industry. Barbaran grew up living in impoverished Peru before relocating to the United States when she was 20 years old to chart her own path to opportunity. To be part of the celebration and watch them open the doors of their own Marco’s Pizza is what franchising is all about: hard work, grit, and opportunity.
GF: Where do you see your brand in five years?
RS: We aim to have 1,500 units by the end of 2023, growing toward becoming the fourth largest pizza brand in the United States. Encouraged by our consistent growth even during a pandemic, we are continuing to seek out new areas with room to grow. We currently have 129 stores in development that are slated to open over the next 12 months.
GF: What are the biggest challenges facing your industry today?
RS: COVID-19 has forever changed consumer behavior and expectations of brand experience. From continued heightened sensitivity on safety measures to convenience and the role of technology to smaller store footprints, and even product innovation. Brands that are able to stay ahead and revolutionize the new era of restaurants will be the ones to emerge stronger than before. This is why Marco’s has established a task-force committed to accelerating innovation, shifting our mindset to get ahead of the future and prepare for the new post-pandemic customer.
