FROM PROPERTY

TO PIZZA

As one of America ’ s fastest growing family-owned venture management companies , Highland Ventures is home to hundreds of restaurants and commercial units across 19 states . Ben Hoogland and McLain Hoogland , Joint Vice Presidents , share the company ’ s story . “ Our company was started by my great grandfather , Clarence Hoogland , who passed the business to my grandfather , my father , and now my brother and I . Highland Ventures was originally started as Mid-State Appliance in Springfield , Illinois . When our grandfather joined the business , he launched Family Video in 1978 , which became the third largest video chain in the US with over 800 locations . In 2012 , we partnered with Marco ’ s Pizza under the Hoogland Restaurant Group name and became the largest franchisee with over 120 locations .