Back from dead, Meridian restaurant to reopen. Chain to ‘cover’ Boise area with stores

Talk about tombstone pizza.

Just in time for Halloween, a Meridian chain restaurant plans to rise from the grave.

After informing customers in spring that it had closed forever, Marco’s Pizza, 4865 N. Ten Mile Road, is set to reopen this month under new ownership.

It’s the only Gem State location for the counter-service franchise.

But not for long, assuming all goes according to plan.

Marco’s, which calls itself “the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brand,” has its sights on spreading, Idaho franchisee Ryan Wagner said.

“I don’t have any locations picked out right now,” he explained by phone. “But we are expanding, and we should be building about four more in two years.

“We’ll cover the whole area — the whole Treasure Valley, hopefully.”

Wagner owned roughly a dozen Marco’s stores in Texas before his partners bought him out, he said. Moving to Boise, he’s taken over the Meridian restaurant from the previous franchisees, he explained.

Initially, customers might be bewildered. Previous ownership had posted a message on the door saying the pizzeria had closed “permanently.”

That note has been replaced by “opening soon” and “join our team” banners in the window.

The restaurant at Ten Mile and McMillan roads could be open and selling pies as soon as Monday, Wagner said. If not, then definitely later in the week. He’s currently wading through final red tape and hiring employees. “Always,” he said. “Always hiring.”

Although Marco’s includes seating for “20-some” customers in Meridian, Wagner said, the company’s business is built around delivery and carryout. In addition to affordable pizzas, the Marco’s menu offers crustless Pizza Bowls, subs and salads.

Based in Toledo, Marco’s is no Domino’s — yet. But it has a growing slice of the industry pie. It’s America’s fifth-largest pizza chain, according to a news release, which says that Marco’s recently “hit $1 billion in annual systemwide sales for the first time.”

Marco’s quest to conquer Idaho hasn’t gone as quickly as planned. Months after opening in Meridian in 2018, the chain’s publicity firm sent an email to media indicating that it aimed to develop five new locations by 2020.

Most Marco’s restaurants are in the eastern half of the United States. But if you check out the chain’s store locator on its website, you’ll see new locations popping up in the West.

Marco’s in Meridian will be open from 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, Wagner said. The restaurant will have its own delivery drivers but use third-party services, too.

To get coupons and the best prices, Wagner said, order directly through marcos.com or the Marco’s app. You’ll also be able to order by phone at (208) 804-0003.

And if you don’t live in Meridian? Just be patient. Your neighborhood’s Marco’s could be on the way.

“I think our next one might be in Caldwell,” Wagner said. “Really not sure. .... It all depends on what location we can get.”