Best Financing and Loan Options for Restaurant Owners in 2026
Restaurant owners can use this financing and loan guide to compare funding options, avoid costly mistakes, and improve cash flow.
Jun 19, 2026
Restaurant owners can use this financing and loan guide to compare funding options, avoid costly mistakes, and improve cash flow.
Jun 19, 2026
Propelled Brands lowers Camp Bow Wow’s investment and standardizes a 6,000-sq-ft prototype to attract multi-unit growth amid a tight real estate market.
Jun 18, 2026
Blue Bottle launches a 90-minute, machine-free Kyoto-style espresso, bottled for cold drinks across 152 cafés on June 16.
Jun 18, 2026
A missing Lego Star Wars cache puts Bricks & Minifigs in court, testing franchise rules, consignment policies, and brand trust across a 300‑unit network.
Jun 18, 2026
Domino’s launches a $9.99 any pizza deal, adding Parmesan Stuffed Crust through July 26, 2026, timed to the World Cup with gamified rewards and heavy ad support.
Jun 18, 2026
Raising Cane’s opens a 16,000-square-foot flagship by Intuit Dome in Inglewood, blending spectacle and throughput as the chain accelerates global expansion.
Jun 18, 2026
Restaurants race to modernize POS as mobile wallets surge, cloud adoption grows, drive-thru integrations expand, and costs and interoperability shape strategic selection.
Jun 18, 2026
Discover how Via 313 and Terry Black’s Barbecue are fusing barbecue flavors and Detroit-style pizza in a bold Texas collaboration. Learn what this means for trend-focused restaurant operators.
Jun 18, 2026
Boost restaurant revenue during FIFA World Cup 2026 with proven promotion ideas, marketing strategies, staffing tips, and match-day sales tactics.
Jun 18, 2026
Marco’s Pizza is launching a new Operations Center of Excellence in Orlando, Florida, focused on franchisee training and operational execution as the brand pushes for aggressive national and international growth.
Jun 18, 2026
Marco’s Pizza is launching a new Operations Center of Excellence in Orlando, Florida, focused on franchisee training and operational execution as the brand pushes for aggressive national and international growth.

Marco’s Pizza is making strategic moves to elevate its franchise network and streamline operations with the announcement of its new Operations Center of Excellence in downtown Orlando, Florida. This $1 million+ investment marks a significant step for the pizza leader as it positions itself as a premier brand focused on operational precision and franchisee success. Located at 222 S. Orange Ave., the expansive 14,000-square-foot facility will house a hands-on training kitchen, corporate offices, and become the central destination for Marco’s University, providing advanced programming for franchisees and general managers. The design purposefully simulates a real Marco’s Pizza store, maximizing the effectiveness of training and onboarding.
As Marco’s Pizza prepares for more than 80 new store openings this year, the Orlando center will play a pivotal role in strengthening the brand’s expansion strategy. In addition to daily corporate functions, the hub will host “discovery days” for prospective franchisees, empowering new operators with firsthand experience and best-in-class support from the start. The move comes as the chain’s footprint continues to grow, reaching 1,196 U.S. locations in 2025—a 2.9% increase from 2024. By offering focused training and immersive education at the new facility, Marco’s demonstrates a scalable, intentional approach to quality standards and franchise growth.
What makes this expansion even more noteworthy is Marco’s dual-market focus. The Orlando site is not replacing the chain’s original Toledo, Ohio headquarters—instead, it extends the company’s reach by anchoring staff and resources in both the Midwest and Florida. With about 50 corporate team members slated for Orlando and continued support from its founding city, Marco’s can leverage remote-friendly management and market adaptability across the U.S. This structure aligns with the modern restaurant workplace, facilitating collaboration and supporting franchisees regardless of geography.
For restaurant owners evaluating growth strategies, Marco’s investment in training infrastructure sets a clear industry example—robust systems, real-world readiness, and sustainable scaling are at its core. Supported by “Marco’s University” curriculum and a purpose-built training kitchen, franchisees and general managers can build skills and consistency that directly translate to guest satisfaction and operational performance. With construction underway, the Orlando Operations Center is slated to open in fall 2026, further solidifying Marco’s as a brand driven by innovation and franchisee empowerment.
The Marco’s Pizza blueprint highlights how forward-thinking investment in people, training, and operational execution can fuel sustainable expansion—even as competition intensifies across quick-service and fast-casual segments. By balancing proven tradition from its 1978 roots with modern training and multi-market presence, Marco’s Pizza is building a foundation that inspires current and future franchisees to deliver quality at scale.
If you’re looking to fuel your restaurant’s growth with industry-best practices, now is the time to assess your training, scheduling, and compliance systems. Marco’s Pizza’s approach illustrates that investing in robust support tools and employee development not only sets your business apart, but also nurtures a resilient and inspired team. Whether franchising, expanding, or strengthening your own operations, embracing these systems can be a game-changer.