This chain has one restaurant in the Boise area. Soon they will be everywhere. (Up to 12?)

If you’ve never heard of Marco’s Pizza, you’re not alone.

The Toledo-based chain has only two restaurants in Idaho: one in Meridian (which closed in 2022 at the corner of Ten Mile and McMillan Road and then unexpectedly reopened months later) and one in Ammon (a place that, let’s face it, many newcomers from Idaho have never heard of either).

But Marco’s is in the process of spreading its peppers throughout the Treasure Valley.

Three new stores will open soon. A fourth is in the planning stages.

Concluding that Boise is a “strong growth market,” the brand plans “up to 12 locations” in the area, according to a press release.

The first two new restaurants are scheduled to open in June: one in Caldwell, 2609 S. 10th Ave., Suite 105, and another in Kuna, 1222 N. Meridian Road. A third restaurant is scheduled to open in Meridian, 3135 E. Overland Road, by the end of the summer.

According to the brand’s press coordinator, site scouting has begun for a fourth location, which would bring the total number of Marco’s restaurants in the Treasure Valley to five.

Marco’s was founded in 1978. The counter service focuses on takeout and delivery and is “known for its homemade dough and three fresh specialty cheeses,” the press release states.

Translation: Places like Lulu’s Pizza, Americana Pizza or The Wylder don’t have to try hard. Marco’s isn’t going after the more expensive high end of the market. Marco’s main competitors are ubiquitous chains like Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s. Right now, you can buy a large Pepperoni Magnifico pizza at Marco’s for $9.99.

In addition to pizza, the menu also includes pizza bowls, subs, salads, sides (cheese bread and wings) and desserts.

Most Marco’s restaurants are located in the eastern United States, but if you check out the store locator on the website, you’ll see that new stores are opening in the west as well – for example, in Idaho.

Marco’s describes itself as “one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the country” and operates 1,200 stores in 34 states, as well as locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, the press release said.