Chef Kathleen Kennedy, Director of Culinary Innovation for Marco's Pizza, set out to create a Margherita she would be proud to serve friends and family, guided by three principles:
- Select ingredients that deliver bright, fresh flavor.
- Source carefully to meet Marco's quality specifications.
- Create a pizza that is unmistakably Marco's.
The result begins with dough made fresh in-store daily and proofed for at least 18 hours to develop deeper flavor before being hand-stretched into a thinner crust. It is topped with Marco's signature sauce, thick slices of fresh mozzarella and a shredded three-cheese blend.
Next, extra-large, perfectly ripened Roma tomatoes sliced in-store are carefully placed around the pizza between the fresh mozzarella.
Finally, the pizza is finished with Marco's signature basil drizzle, made from fresh chopped basil. This first-or second-cut basil is grown specially for Marco's in California's Central Valley, then chopped and transformed into the drizzle shortly after harvest to deliver a fresh, bright burst of basil flavor on every slice. The crust is topped with garlic sauce and the pizza is sprinkled with romesan seasoning – a finish that is distinctively Marco's.
"I have to say that, as a chef, I cannot make a better pizza at home," said Chef Kennedy. "We tried more than 20 different recipes and carefully selected every ingredient to ensure our Margherita tasted fresh and delicious. What I am most proud of is our signature basil drizzle. I like to call it a magic basil elixir."
The Margherita Magnifico reflects Marco's belief that simplicity is not the absence of something. It is confidence that nothing else is needed. On a pizza this simple, the quality of each ingredient comes through, which is why each one is selected with intention and prepared with care.
That same simplicity carries through to the guest experience. Guests feeding a family between school and practice, picking up dinner on the way home, or settling in for a relaxing evening should not have to sacrifice freshness, convenience, or value.
"We live in a world where more is often mistaken for better, but the Margherita Magnifico takes a different approach," said Steve Kennedy, Chief Marketing Officer for Marco's Pizza. "It brings together quality, convenience, and value through a few thoughtfully selected ingredients. When every choice is made with care, nothing else is needed. That is simplicity at its finest."
For a closer look at the care behind each ingredient and the choices that make the Margherita Magnifico distinctively Marco's, viewers can go behind the scenes with Chef Kathleen on Marco's Pizza's YouTube channel.
The Margherita Magnifico is available for a limited time while supplies last at participating Marco's Pizza locations nationwide. Guests can find their nearest location and more information at marcos.com or through the Marco's Pizza app.
ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA
Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Notably, Marco's was recognized as America's Favorite Restaurant in the Limited-Service Pizza category by Nation's Restaurant News using Technomic Ignite Consumer 2025 dataꝉꝉ. Other recent accolades include being recognized by QSR as one of the "16 Best Franchise Deals for 2025", ranking No. 50 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2026 "Franchise 500" ranking, earning a coveted spot as the only top 5 pizza chain to rank on Newsweek's 2025 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50, and being featured on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking.
*USE CODE: TRYMARG.
$16.99 in CA, CO and Las Vegas use code: TRYMARG2.
Valid only on the Large Margherita Magnifico pizza for orders placed in-store, by phone, or Marco's website or mobile app for a limited time while supplies last. Price and participation may vary. No substitutions. Price does not include extras. Not valid on catering orders, with other offers or discounts or through 3rd-party delivery apps. Delivery orders must meet stated minimum. Delivery fee/tax extra (varies by store). Other restrictions may apply. See store or marcos.com for details.
SOURCE Marco's Pizza
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