Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2013 | Page 49

2013 MVP
2013 MVP Veteran Entrepreneurship Award
For outstanding performance, leadership,
and innovation by a veteran
Why do you think you were recognized with the Veteran Entrepreneurship Award? As a dual military couple, we have been fortunate
that we have been able to transfer our leadership and organizational skills into
success in the Marco’s franchise system.
As a multi-unit franchisee, how have you raised the bar in your
own company? We tend to think outside the box and learn from our mistakes. As a result, our last two stores have had record-breaking openings. This
has shown the franchisor the realm of possibilities for the future.
What innovations have you created and used to build your
company? Because we’re not a huge chain on national TV, we rely on
guerilla marketing and direct mail. Initially, our units had 18 to 20 percent
delivery, so we included delivery maps to help the customer see right away
if they’re in our delivery area. Since then, we’ve been opening at 50 percent
delivery right up front. Another innovation was doubling the make line for
grand openings and Friday nights. This has helped us get pizza out in half
as an Army JAG Corps Officer, have
found the transition to franchising
pretty seamless. They’ve opened seven
stores in their contract in just over
three years.
The division of duties between the
two owners of Boomer’s Pizza LLC
of Edmond, Okla., is a natural one,
they say. “She has a law degree so she
handles a lot of HR, client, and government issues and the kind of things
that need to be handled any time you
build a business. She’s very involved
with store openings as well as some of
the training,” says Kevin. “I tend to be
more involved in site selection, design,
operations, and finances.”
The Wilkersons are happy with

the time it would normally take. Something else that has really had ancillary benefits is showing the customer their pizza at the counter. Our pizzas
are attractive and look good, and we know that we eat with our eyes first.
Also from a quality control standpoint, it enables us to make any changes
we need on the spot, instead of letting the customer get home and be upset
when the pizza isn’t what they wanted.
What core values do you think led you to winning the MVP
Award? Tenacity, innovation, strong work ethic, sense of humor.
What is the value of community involvement for you and your
company? We’re very much involved in charities and fundraising events in all
the communities around our stores. If contacted by charities to participate in an
event, we do so 99 percent of the time. We partner o