Franco started as a collaboration project between its members, who are veterans of the Pinoy rock scene. However, Franco's roots are traced from the Cebu-based band Frank, which Reyes formed in 1996. Frank was one of the bands that boosted the Cebu rock scene, In late 2008, Alipe, Mendoza, Toleran and Meneses collaborated with Reyes, who returned to the Philippines, to form Franco.

Franco started by playing songs from Frank and Inyo. In 2009, they released their self-titled full-length album under MCA Music. Music videos for “Cast Away” and their latest single “This Gathering” were aired on Filipino music channel MYX. Franco also dominated the 2010 NU Rock Awards by winning four awards—Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “This Gathering”, Album of the Year for their self-titled album, and the Listeners' Choice Award.