Marco’s Pizza Announces Additional $9 Million Available in Financing for New Franchisees

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Jessica Dees

The Bancorp Bank Approves Funding Program for Nation’s Fastest-Growing Pizza Company

TOLEDO, OHIO – Adding to its expansive menu of financing options for new franchisees, Marco's Pizza, the nation’s fastest-growing pizza company with more than 220 locations in 17 states, announced today that it has been approved for a new national franchisee lending program created by The Bancorp Bank (\"Bancorp\"), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK), and Franchise America Finance™.

The new lending program marks the fifth alternative financing option that Marco's has announced during the past 18 months to continue bringing new franchise owners into its fast-growing system. In this latest financing program, Bancorp has agreed to provide Marco's franchisees with up to $9 million to finance new franchise locations, to refinance current owners, and to finance the acquisition of existing stores. Marco’s Pizza is one of the initial franchisors approved by The Bancorp Bank for its new lending, following brands including Brightstar and FASTSIGNS.

\"With this additional funding as an option, Marco’s will continue our fast-track for growth,\" said Ken Switzer, Chief Financial Officer for Marco’s Pizza. \"While we have surpassed last year’s records in terms of new stores opened and new stores sold into development, many potential franchisees who want to be affiliated with our brand still face challenges securing capital. Through working with lenders such as The Bancorp Bank, combined with other financing options we have implemented, new franchisees can continue to get the funding they need to join the Marco’s Pizza franchise system.\"

In addition to The Bancorp Bank funding, Marco's Pizza was recently approved to receive up to $7.5 million in conventional funding from Main Street Bank that allows franchisees who own at least one Marco’s Pizza, or one unit of another franchise brand, with access to funds for opening new Marco’s locations. This fund complements three additional Marco’s Pizza financing programs created during the recession: a leasing program that will finance up to $200,000 in opening costs; a $5 million private equity fund for new stores in which Marco’s invests up to $100,000 per restaurant; and the formation of a subsidiary called Marco’s Assurance that provides a limited guarantee of bank loans to franchisees and pays to relocate stores to better locations.

The Bancorp Bank national franchise lending program is the only one of its kind, founded on a collaborative effort between the lender and franchisor to provide a predictable model for franchise financing. Specifically created for start-up and expanding franchise businesses, the program is limited to top performing franchise systems. Funding is available nationally for new and existing franchisees (of approved franchisors) who meet predetermined standards set by The Bancorp Bank.

Ronald Feldman, CEO of Franchise America Finance, the exclusive franchise program manager for Bancorp, said strong leadership, commitment to quality products, and financial stability made Marco's Pizza an ideal candidate for the funding program. He noted, \"We look forward to working with additional franchise systems with similar criteria to foster continued franchising growth nationwide.\"

Diane Gallion, SVP of Government Guaranteed Lending for Bancorp, said, \"By offering a streamlined approach to franchise lending, The Bancorp Bank believes our program will help stimulate job growth through new business ownership.\"