By Debbie Adams
The Vinton Chamber of Commerce and the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
welcomed Marco’s Pizza to Vinton with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 22. The
new pizza franchise is located at Lake Drive Plaza on Hardy Road. It has now been open for
about a month.
opened on May 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of
Commerce and the Vinton Chamber of Commerce. The franchise owner is Brandon Hudson (far
right), pictured next to business partner Damion Mason. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Eric Sichau, president of the Regional Chamber, and Angie Chewning, executive director of the
Vinton Chamber, hosted the well-attended event and thanked Marco’s Pizza franchise owner
Brandon Hudson and his business partner Damion Mason for choosing Vinton as their first
location in the Roanoke Valley. Sichau noted the strong business climate that exists in the area.
Hudson, who has been developing Marco’s locations for several years along with Mason, said
that Vinton “embodies the community feel and has the same values that Marco’s holds dear. The
close-knit atmosphere here aligns perfectly with our commitment to quality and service. We
believe Vinton is an ideal place to grow and connect with our customers.” Their plan is to build
out in the valley, with four or five locations eventually.
They also “plan to engage with the Vinton community through various initiatives, such as
sponsoring local events, supporting schools and sports teams, and partnering with local
charities,” Hudson said. Through their business, they have become involved in giving back to the
community with the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and at-risk youth.
“In the few weeks we have been open, we have already partnered with a church (Rescue Mission
Ministries) to feed the homeless once a month. We believe in giving back and in being an active
part of the community we serve.”
Hudson and Mason have been friends since college and business partners for several years.
“We are proud to be one of the brand’s largest African American multi-unit operators and are
excited to expand further in the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas,” Hudson says. “We believe in the
importance of trust and partnership in business, which has been key to our success. The Vinton
location is our eighth location; we have our ninth location opening in Richmond in less than 30
days.” (Marco’s Pizza now has 1,200 locations in total.)
A recent article in “Nation’s Restaurant News” explains the history of their partnership which
has resulted in a recent “International Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year Award” for
“operational excellence and leadership in the Black entrepreneurial community.”
Hudson and Mason met as students at Virginia State University, where they joined the same
fraternity. After graduation, Hudson began working for the USDA and quickly realized that
wasn’t the path he wanted to take career-wise. Mason first worked for accounting firms and
determined that wasn’t his career of choice either.
Hudson opened his first company– a mental health organization– and began learning about
entrepreneurship. He helped Mason and his wife to open their own company, and now they have
been business partners for about 15 years in various industries, including the soon-to-be-nine
locations in Virginia.
Hudson, originally from Chicago and somewhat of a pizza “connoisseur,” discovered a Marco’s
Pizza near his home and loved the food. The two did some research, which led them to Marco’s
corporate headquarters in Toledo and opening their first location in 2018. Their long-term plan is
to help Marco’s become the fourth largest pizza brand.
“I believe in the brand, and I love the food,” Hudson says.
The Vinton Marco’s will employ approximately 20-25 staff members, providing both part-time
and full-time opportunities.
Marco’s Pizza was founded in Toledo, Ohio, in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, an Italian
immigrant who named the restaurant after himself.
“The name reflects our founder’s heritage and commitment to authentic Italian quality,” Hudson
says. “Under CEO Jack Butorac’s leadership since 2004, Marco’s has grown significantly with
that focus.”
As for how Marco’s differs from other pizza restaurants, Hudson says, “Marco’;s stands out
because of our dedication to authentic Italian pizza. We use fresh, never-frozen dough made
daily on-site, a proprietary cheese blend, and a secret original pizza sauce recipe from our
founder, Pat Giammarco. This commitment to quality ingredients and preparation methods
ensures a delicious and unique pizza experience.
dough that is made daily on-site.
“Our specialties include our classic Pepperoni Magnifico, White Cheezy, and Deluxe, All Meat,
Garden, and Hawaiian Chicken pizzas. Marco’s recently launched the Pizzoli, which is a fan
favorite. Our CheezyBread and CinnaSquares are also customer favorites.”
The general manager of the Vinton location is Emily Chastain; the area supervisor is Chuck
McCellop; and the operations director is Mark Wentzel, “who brings extensive experience in the
food service industry and a passion for customer service.”
Marco’s is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to midnight on
Friday and Saturday. They offer both take-out and delivery within a five-mile radius around
Vinton “to ensure prompt and fresh delivery,” as well as third party delivery. Marco’s also caters
events for schools and other organizations.
Check out the Marco’s Pizza website at www.marcos.com or the Vinton Marco’s Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/marcospizzaHardyRdVA/.
cutting included a pizza smorgasbord lunch.
