From Pizza Shop Manager to Multi-Location Owner
In 2010, Mike started as a Marco’s Pizza manager with plans to join the Marine Corps. Life took a different turn when his store’s owner decided to sell, and Mike seized the opportunity to buy the business. One store became three, and eventually five, as he acquired underperforming locations and worked to turn them around.
With each new store, the back-office workload multiplied. Payroll became a constant source of stress—manual, line-by-line entries consumed hours that could have been spent driving sales and managing operations.
“As I grew in stores, the problems grew too,” Mike recalled. “Manual payroll for multiple locations was a nightmare. It ate up hours every week that I could have spent running my stores and improving the business.”
Smooth Implementation that Defied Expectations
Mike had switched payroll providers in the past and dreaded the process. Implementations were usually long, complicated, and filled with headaches. AllianceHCM changed that experience entirely.
“I’ve switched payroll companies before, and it’s usually a nightmare—paperwork, missed paychecks, endless headaches. Alliance was different. Their implementation was smooth, fast, and handled with almost no stress on my end. I’ve never had a transition go this smoothly.”
Once implemented, Mike immediately saw the difference. Payroll across five locations became simple, accurate, and efficient—freeing him from the manual grind that had dominated his weeks. Instead of being buried in administrative tasks, he could finally focus on running and improving his stores.
Beyond Payroll: Savings, Support, and Peace of Mind
AllianceHCM didn’t just simplify operations—it also uncovered financial opportunities Mike had been missing. By leveraging Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC), he began capturing valuable tax credits that previously went untouched, turning payroll from a cost center into a source of hidden savings.
But for Mike, the human support has been just as impactful as the financial benefit. Managing five stores can be overwhelming, and with other platforms, he often felt like he was navigating payroll alone. Alliance changed that.
“With other platforms, I felt like just another number. With Alliance, I always have someone ready to help who understands my business. If a question comes up or I need guidance, I know I’ll get a fast, clear answer from a real person that understands me and my business. I don’t feel like I’m on an island anymore—having that support is priceless.”
This hands-on, knowledgeable support gave Mike the confidence to focus on what really matters: turning underperforming locations into thriving, profitable stores. He can now spend his time on operations and growth instead of getting pulled into payroll headaches or compliance worries.
A Partner Worth Recommending
Today, Mike runs five Marco’s Pizza locations with confidence. Payroll is faster, simpler, and more accurate. He’s capturing tax credits he used to leave on the table, and he has a partner that empowers his business instead of weighing it down.
“I tell every Marco’s owner I know: switching to Alliance made my life easier. Between the time savings, the WOTC credits, and the peace of mind, I wouldn’t go back to anyone else. If I could convince every franchisee to switch, I would.”
For multi-location restaurant operators like Mike, AllianceHCM isn’t just payroll software—it’s a growth partner that simplifies operations, maximizes savings, and provides the human support every operator deserves.
