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.

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SOURCE American Military University & American Public University