Marco’s Pizza and Family Video are bringing new meaning to the phrase “pizza and a movie” thanks to a more than $100 million partnership that will eventually put hundreds of Marco’s shops in the movie rental chain’s stores.
“This partnership is a perfect fit for both of us,” said Jack Butorac, CEO of Marco’s Pizza. “When someone goes to a pizza shop, it is often a take-home activity. Now, consumers have the option of placing their order and browsing videos. We’ve essentially simplified the pleasure of picking up a pie and movie for a night in.”
Family Video is also working with a system that allows customers to reserve movies online they wish to pick up in the store. The two companies envision developing that into a system that would allow someone to order both a pizza and a movie and have them delivered together.
“I think it’s going to be a really popular business model that saves a whole trip for the customer,” said Family Video President Keith Hoogland, whose company’s substantial real estate holdings will house the new stores. “It’s all about convenience.”
The first Marco’s Pizza to open on a Family Video property is expected some time at the end of March 2012 in Wheeling, Illinois. All told, Family Video plans to open 350 Marco’s Pizza shops nationwide, creating 7,000 jobs.
“In this economic climate, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to expand, and partnerships with companies such as Family Video are just one of the many we are considering or pursuing,” Butorac said.
Marco’s Pizza has 280 locations in 21 states and expects to open about 100 more this year, in addition to those associated with its Family Video partnership.