Marco’s Pizza closes all Iowa locations

A national pizza chain has abruptly closed all of its locations in Iowa.

Marco’s Pizza, whose Iowa locations included those in Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Waterloo and Davenport, closed all four of its restaurants statewide on Jan. 5.

The closure follows its departure from the Des Moines metro, where it previously had two suburban locations in Waukee and Windsor Heights.

“The franchisee operating the four locations in Iowa that closed Jan. 5 wanted to consolidate its portfolio to develop their other geographic territories,” said Gerardo Flores, chief development officer for Marco’s, in a statement. “Marco’s plans to open more than 80 new locations in 2026 and would love to speak with prospective Iowa-based franchisees interested in fully developing that market.”

The Ohio-based chain, founded in 1978, grew from 200 stores in 2010 to over 1,000 locations by 2020.

Marco’s opened its first Iowa location in 2007 at the Town & Country Shopping Center in Cedar Rapids, which closed in 2010. It later opened another location at 6905 C Ave. NE in Cedar Rapids and 415 Community Dr. in North Liberty.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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