Marco’s Pizza has teamed up with Bellevue University to pilot an education program for front-line employees. The college-level courses are designed for franchise supervisor and shift leaders, according to a press release.
The pizza chain selected 16 Marco’s franchise supervisors from markets across the country to participate in a pilot business leadership certificate program through the pizza brand’s partnership with Bellevue University’s College of Technology, Engineering and Management.
“Ultimately, we’re trying to add value to our people,” Rod Sanders said, senior vice president and chief people officer for Marco’s Pizza, said in the press release. “We’re a performance brand and we know we succeed only when we value everyone and help our people to succeed. This program is another ingredient that we believe will contribute to our team members by preparing them for a lifetime of success, inside or outside of Marco’s Pizza.”
“The class really taught me to see the bigger picture, that there are different ways to train and communicate with my team,” Elizabeth Fields, a Marco’s Pizza general manager in Illinois, said in the press release. “I loved that the course was online, and I plan to take what I’ve learned and put it into action at my store.”
Matt Davis, Bellevue University EVP and dean of the college, said the certificate program, where students master essential business management and leadership skills in two six-week courses, is built to be accessible to front-line workers like those at Marco’s Pizza.
“Great management and leadership skills can be learned,” David said in the press release, noting that the certificate program’s curriculum is based on a program used successfully by one of the nation’s leading retailers. “Now we’ve taken it to the next level with a mobile-first course design that incorporates relevance, rigor and respect for the learner’s time.”
Marco’s employees who complete the program can use the eight credit hours they learn toward an four-year undergraduate college degree.
“Marco’s will look to evaluate the program’s long-term impact using feedback from participants and we hope to track retention over time,” added Sanders.
Marco’s operates 1,100 stores in 34 states.
