American Public University Provides Marco's Pizza with Access to Education Benefits for Franchisees, Their Employees and Families

American Public University expands employer-based access to discounted online degrees for thousands across the Marco's Pizza franchise system.

Rhea-AI Summary

American Public University (APEI) has partnered with Marco's Pizza to offer education benefits, including a 15% tuition grant, to franchisees, their employees, eligible family members, and Marco's support center employees as of September 22, 2026.

The grant applies to more than 200 online degree and certificate programs at American Public University and American Military University, both part of American Public University System. Programs are designed for working adults, with monthly start dates and no set lecture times. With over 1,200 Marco's locations in 35 states, more than 18,000 individuals may qualify for these benefits.

Key Figures

Tuition grant: 15% Eligible programs: 200-plus online degrees and certificate programs Marco's locations: More than 1,200 locations +1 more

Tuition grant

15%

Marco's Pizza education partnership

Eligible programs

200-plus online degrees and certificate programs

Education benefits available through the partnership

Marco's locations

More than 1,200 locations

Operations across 35 states

Potential beneficiaries

More than 18,000

Franchisees, employees, eligible family members, and support center employees

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Benefits Include a 15% Tuition Grant and Flexible Online Learning Opportunities

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Public University part of American Public University System (APU) has teamed up with Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, enabling franchisees, their employees, and eligible family members, as well as Marco's support center employees, to pursue more affordable degrees. Educational benefits include a 15% tuition grant toward 200-plus online degrees and certificate programs.

Designed for working adults, APU's programs feature monthly start dates and no set lecture times, making it easier to balance education with work and other life commitments. These benefits are honored at APU as well as American Military University part of American Public University System (AMU).

"American Public University is committed to partnering with forward-looking businesses like Marco's Pizza to help professionals achieve their academic goals on their terms," said Eric Morris, Vice President Strategic Partnerships at AMU & APU. "We believe in a growth mindset that encourages critical thinking and digital literacy."

This program was championed by two alumni serving in leadership roles at Marco's: Rod Sanders, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, and Kelly Robinson, Director of Culture.

"We're proud to provide this meaningful opportunity for franchisees and their employees to build new skills, help advance their careers, and invest in their own futures while still working in a dynamic workplace," said Robinson, who, along with Sanders, graduated from AMU. "Marco's Pizza is a firm believer in empowering our franchisees and their teams to pursue their personal and professional goals."

Founded in Toledo, Ohio, in 1978, the Marco's Pizza system has more than 1,200 locations in 35 states, each with employees eligible to participate in this program. This means that more 18,000 franchisees, their employees, and eligible family members, as well as Marco's support center employees, may benefit.

"Supporting our people means providing meaningful opportunities for growth, both inside and outside the workplace," said Sanders. "We know firsthand the power of higher education, and this affiliation reaffirms our commitment."

To learn more about the education benefits available through this partnership, visit www.APUPartners.com/Marcos.

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 data¹. 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.

^ꝉꝉAccording to Technomic's 2025 America's Favorite Restaurants data, Marco's Pizza secured the top spot in the Limited-Service Pizza category with a 54.6% composite top-box rating, indicating the share of recent guests who gave the brand the highest possible rating for each of the guest experience attributes. Data for America's Favorite Chains comes from Technomic Ignite Consumer, which collects information about how brands impact consumers and how consumers interact with those brands, via online surveys. See here for more information: www.technomic.com/ignite-consumer.

ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
American Public University part of American Public University System (APU) provides high-quality, affordable higher education that helps transform lives and advance careers. APU's workforce-relevant education is preparing students for service and leadership worldwide. Combined, AMU and APU have a rich history and vibrant community of over 173,000 alumni from more than 80 countries. 

American Public University System (The System) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. With approximately 109,000 students and over 250,000² alumni worldwide, The System is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information, visit www.apus.edu.

²As of June 30, 2026.

American Public University System, American Military University, and American Public University are not affiliated with American University or the U.S. Military.

MEDIA CONTACTS

	Marco's Pizza		American Public University
	Leah Haran		Frank Tutalo
	Associate Vice President of Communications & Public Relations		Associate Vice President, PR
	LHaran@marcos.com		FTutalo@apus.edu

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SOURCE American Military University & American Public University

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Who is eligible for the APU education benefits within the Marco's Pizza system?

Eligible participants include Marco's Pizza franchisees, their employees, eligible family members, and Marco's support center employees. The company states that with more than 1,200 locations in 35 states, this could cover over 18,000 people.

What specific education benefits are being offered through this partnership?

The partnership provides a 15% tuition grant toward more than 200 online degree and certificate programs. These benefits are honored at both American Public University and American Military University, which are part of American Public University System.

How are APU programs structured to accommodate working adults at Marco's Pizza?

APU programs feature monthly start dates and no set lecture times, allowing participants to balance coursework with work and other life commitments.

Where can Marco's Pizza employees learn more or enroll in this program?

To learn more about the education benefits available through the partnership, interested individuals are directed to visit www.APUPartners.com/Marcos.