Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, announces a new three-unit development agreement in Columbia, Missouri, led by franchise co-owners Russ Anderson and Betzayda “Betzy” Alvarez-Anderson. Joining them in the agreement is Betzy’s husband and Russ’ nephew, Klayton Anderson, who will serve as operator. The first location is scheduled to open in October 2026, at 911 Rain Forest Pkwy., marking the start of a broader regional development plan across mid-Missouri.
“This agreement reflects exactly the kind of operator partnership that drives sustainable growth for our brand,” said Gerardo Flores, Chief Development Officer of Marco’s Pizza. “Russ, Betzy, and Klayton bring a rare combination of operational depth and local commitment, and they are confident in their ability to build a lasting presence in Missouri.”
Operators Bring Deep QSR and Pizza Experience
The ownership group pairs a strong regional business foundation with decades of pizza operations experience. Russ is the founder of Anderson Homes, the largest homebuilder in central Missouri. As a longtime entrepreneur who bought his first business at 19 and served eight years in the Army Reserves, he brings extensive background in real estate, construction, and operational leadership to the partnership. Betzy spent nine years with a leading national pizza brand, rising from in-store roles to general manager before moving into a corporate position. Klayton built a background in multi-unit operations as a general manager in the pizza industry before transitioning to Marco’s.
“What drew us to Marco’s was the authenticity behind the product,” said Betzy. “Other brands cut corners, but Marco’s starts fresh every day with dough pressed in-house and a three-cheese blend that’s always fresh, never frozen. We saw that difference firsthand before we decided to move forward with Marco’s. That level of prep and care is built into every location, so customers know exactly what they’re getting no matter which Marco’s they walk into.”
Building a Foundation in Columbia
For the Andersons, the agreement is rooted in Columbia, where the family has built their business presence. After exploring top pizza and QSR brands, the group found that Marco’s consistently stood out with the quality and flavor of the pizza. With only a small Marco’s footprint in Missouri currently, the partners saw an opportunity to establish the brand in an underserved market.
The group’s approach to development favors owning or building its sites rather than leasing, reflecting a long-term commitment to the region.
Incentivizing Growth for Multi-Unit Operators
To further support franchise expansion, Marco’s currently offers the Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program, designed to lower barriers for qualified multi-unit owners. With early-stage royalty incentives starting at 0%*, along with comprehensive support in real estate, construction, and operations, the program provides a streamlined, resource-rich path for franchisees to expand.
Prospects are taking note of the business opportunity, as Marco’s Franchise Disclosure Document reports $1.28M AUV for the top 25% of franchised stores in 2025.**
For more information Marco’s Pizza franchise opportunities, visit https://www.marcos.com/franchising/ or contact Brad Smith at bradsmith@marcos.com or 419-279-5795.
