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Baljit Gill has signed a 12-unit agreement with Marco's Pizza to expand across Southern California, building on an existing commitment that has already resulted in three open locations and more in development.
Gill entered franchising in 1998 with Subway after transitioning from a corporate engineering career. Over the years, his family has developed more than 30 units and currently operates 21 Subway locations and one Auntie Anne's.
He began exploring diversification during the pandemic, when demand for pizza surged. That search led him to Marco's Pizza, where he saw an opportunity to apply his operational experience within a structured system.
"As a multi-unit operator, you look for a brand that combines structure with opportunity," Gill said. "Marco's offered a strong foundation, robust support, and a team that truly partners with franchisees."
What started as a four-unit agreement has since expanded into a larger development deal, reflecting Gill's confidence in the concept and its growth potential in California.
Today, three Marco's locations are open in Upland, Fontana, and Hesperia. Two more units in Yucaipa and Highland were expected to open in April with additional sites currently under selection.
"Baljit exemplifies the type of experienced, growth-minded operator we're proud to partner with," said Gerardo Flores, chief development officer of Marco's Pizza. "His disciplined approach, family-led infrastructure, and deep understanding of multi-unit operations position him for strong growth in Southern California, and we're excited to support his continued expansion."
Gill runs the business as a family operation. His wife oversees the Subway portfolio, his daughter leads Marco's Pizza operations, and his son is beginning to step into the business. Gill focuses on strategy and back-office support, applying a disciplined, systems-driven approach shaped by his engineering background.