IT'S FRIDAY, a time to
If you live close to Courthouse Road in Spotsylvania County, two James Madison University grads are going to make the last bit a little easier.
Robert Swarts, a 25-year veteran of restaurant operations and franchise relations for such companies as Applebee's, Starbucks and Domino's Pizza, plans to open a Marco's Pizza franchise at 10908 Courthouse Road later this year.
It's the first of 25 Marco's Pizzas that he and his wife, Ellen, a certified public accountant, plan to open in the metro Washington area. They're picking locations with the help of a software program called Mapinfo, which came up with 68 possibilities projected to perform at or above average sales levels for a Marco's Pizza.
"As this is the first area location, we decided to pursue a location that was ranked at or near the top
Marco's Pizza sells a variety of specialty items, including chicken fresco and taco pizzas, as well as subs, chicken wings, salads and soft drinks. Customers can get carryout, delivery and some sit-down service.
The Toledo, Ohio-based chain was founded in 1978 by Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco, who moved to the U.S. from Italy when he was 9 years old and grew up working in his family's pizzeria. He later began making pizza on a larger scale using a secret sauce recipe that he developed and refined with his father, according to the
Marco's Pizza now operates more than 170 stores in 14 states, and has made Pizza Quarterly Magazine's list of the top 25 U.S. pizza chains by sales. The company plans to open 50 to 60 new stores this year and have 500 stores in operation by 2010.
Also coming here are two new businesses that will open this fall in Harrison Crossing North in Spotsylvania County. They are GameStop, which bills itself as the world's largest video game retailer; and Mountain Kim Martial Arts, a metro Washington chain with more than 20 locations, including one in Culpeper. It teaches world federation style tae kwon do, judo, haidong gumbo (sword), kickboxing and hapkido.
Harrison Place, which is next to Harrison Crossing North, will get a Sleepy's mattress store next summer. The company operates about 600 stores.
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com