Marco's Pizza to open new locations across SoCal
A growing Midwest pizza chain is slated to grow its footprint on the West Coast.
Marco’s Pizza has signed a 12-unit franchise agreement with experienced multi-unit operator Baljit Gill, accelerating the brand's expansion across Southern California.
The deal began a four-unit agreement, but has since expanded. Today, Marco's Pizza has three locations open in Upland, Fontana and Hesperia, with two additional stores in development in Yucaipa and Highland slated to open in early April. The remaining units are currently in site selection throughout Southern California.
Earlier this year, Marco’s said it was planning to open more than 80 new stores in 2026, surpassing last year’s total of more than 60 new locations.
"Baljit exemplifies the type of experienced, growth-minded operator we're proud to partner with," said Gerardo Flores, chief development officer of Marco's Pizza. "His disciplined approach, family-led infrastructure, and deep understanding of multi-unit operations position him for strong growth in Southern California, and we're excited to support his continued expansion."
After gaining exposure to retail operations through his wife's leadership role with Circle K, Gill began franchising in 1998 with Subway. Over the next two decades, his family developed more than 30 units, and today operates 21 Subway locations and one Auntie Anne's across Southern California.
"As a multi-unit operator, you look for a brand that combines structure with opportunity," said Gill. "Marco's offered a strong foundation, robust support, and a team that truly partners with franchisees. That balance allows us to be creative operators while working within a system designed for growth. We're proud of the momentum we've built so far and are excited to continue expanding across California, bringing Marco's to even more communities throughout the region."
[READ MORE: Marco’s Pizza selects POS platform for international stores]
The planned growth comes on the heels of a strong year for Marco’s. The chain entered New Jersey and signed a development agreement for New Mexico in 2025, expanding its national footprint into new markets. Marco's also celebrated anniversaries in Mexico and Puerto Rico while continuing to explore new international opportunities and growth across the Caribbean and Latin American regions.
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza operates over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico.
