Marco’s Pizza appoints Bradford Smith as Vice President of franchise growth
His track record includes successfully scaling brands to over 3,000 locations worldwide and working with over 3,500 franchise investor groups.
USA – Marco’s Pizza, one of the fastest-growing pizza chains in the United States, has announced the appointment of Bradford Smith as Vice President of Franchise Growth.
This strategic move highlights the brand’s focus on accelerating its nationwide and international expansion plans.
Brad Smith brings more than 29 years of extensive experience in franchise development and global expansion across multiple industries, including hospitality, fitness, and real estate.
His track record includes successfully scaling brands to over 3,000 locations worldwide and working with over 3,500 franchise investor groups.
His appointment signifies Marco’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team as it pursues aggressive multi-unit growth, with particular emphasis on international markets, including Latin America and the Caribbean.
Gerardo Flores, Chief Development Officer at Marco’s Pizza, emphasized that Brad Smith’s diverse expertise and operational insight will be instrumental in further scaling the brand’s growth.
Smith’s previous experience includes leading franchise development strategies that have resulted in significant franchisee recruitment and market expansion.
His role will involve driving new franchisee engagement, supporting existing locations, and identifying opportunities for non-traditional franchise models.
Marco’s recent growth efforts include the launch of a Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program, which offers early-stage royalty incentives starting at 0%, along with real estate, construction, and operational support to prospective franchisees.
This initiative aims to lower barriers for multi-unit and area developers, fostering faster growth and broader market coverage.
With a solid base of over 1,200 stores operating across 35 states, alongside points of presence in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico, Marco’s seeks to become the fourth-largest pizza chain in the U.S.
The brand’s focus on high-quality ingredients, from scratch dough, and signature cheeses has driven operational excellence and consumer loyalty.
The company’s recent store openings includes adding more than 41 new locations in the first half of 2025 which demonstrate its robust expansion momentum.
Brad Smith’s appointment as Vice President of Franchise Growth marks a key milestone in Marco’s ambitious growth strategy, as the brand continues to invest in leadership and innovative franchise programs to solidify its position as a leading player in the competitive pizza segment.
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