Thursday, September 20, 2012

Toppers featured in Nation's Restaurant News

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in an article in Nation's Restaurant News titled "Toppers Pizza debuts first-ever TV commercials." This article discusses the reasoning behind producing the company's first ads for television, and what it means moving for Toppers as a brand moving forward. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Toppers Pizza debuts first-ever TV commercials

Toppers Pizza has debuted its first TV commercials in the chain’s 21-year history, completing its “three-screen” advertising strategy after years of laying the groundwork in social media and mobile ordering.

The 42-unit brand’s first foray into television advertising represents a significant shift in its marketing spending, though its overall marketing budget remains unchanged, said vice president of marketing Scott Iversen. Over the past two years, the chain has transitioned away from print ads and direct mail to free up money to invest in producing TV commercials and buying time in their markets.

(Read More)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Toppers featured in Rochester Post-Bulletin

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in the Post-Bulletin in an article titled "Heard on the Street: Toppers ready to start cooking in Rochester." The article discusses the Toppers opening, location, and giveaway for the first 50 people in line. The article also touches on some of Toppers' unique and special menu items, and dine-in seating versus delivery and takeout plans. The article also mentions plans to open more Minnesota locations. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Heard on the Street: Toppers ready to start cooking in Rochester

The wait is almost over for Rochester's Toppers Pizza fans.

"Things are heating up. We'll be ready Saturday," says owner Myron Allen, who is opening the new franchise with his son, Keith Allen.

Rochester's newest name in pizza will be cooking at 187 16th Ave. S.W. That's in the Shoppes on Second development by the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the recently opened Cherry Berry frozen yogurt shop.

(Read More)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Toppers Pizza featured in article on TCU 360

Toppers Pizza was again featured in TCU’s student publication TCU 360, this time in an article titled “Toppers Pizza gives away free food to first 50 people." The article talked about the overall ambience of the “Grand Opening Celebration” for the Toppers Pizza of Fort-Worth. Mac Malchow was also featured in the article and talked about the brand’s plans for expansion in the Fort-Worth area. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Toppers Pizza gives away free food to first 50 people

Toppers Pizza is already marking its territory in Fort Worth as the first location in Texas.

The first 50 customers in line before 10:30 a.m would receive a coupon book for free food for one year. Fans of the chain as well as newcomers lined up outside the restaurant, wrapped around the side of the building.

Freshman nursing major Courtney Thompson said she and a few friends stood in line since 3:30 a.m. in order to be one of the 50 to receive a coupon book. She also said she would come to Toppers at least once a week.

(Read More)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Toppers featured on PizzaMarketPlace.com

Toppers Pizza was recently featured on PizzaMarketPlace.com in an article titled "Wisconsin's Toppers Pizza aims for 500 stores by 2020." The article features an interview between Toppers CEO Scott Gittrich and writer Alicia Kelso and focuses on the company's ambitious growth goals. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Wisconsin's Toppers Pizza aims for 500 stores by 2020

Whitewater, Wis.-based Toppers Pizza is rapidly expanding its system with a goal of achieving 100 units by the end of 2013, and 500 by 2020.

Currently, the chain includes about 45 units mostly in core Midwest markets such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska. Upcoming openings include locations in Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas.

The plan is undoubtedly ambitious – for Toppers' first nearly 20 years, its footprint existed in Wisconsin. Now, CEO Scott Gittrich is mapping out the chain's growth in pizza-heavy Chicago and beyond, buoyed by an "anti-big chain" messaging strategy. Gittrich talked to PizzaMarketplace.com about the company's goals and strategy on how to achieve them.

(Read More)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Toppers featured in segment on TCU 360

Toppers Pizza was recently featured on TCU 360 in an segment titled "Toppers Pizza open on Berry Street." The segment discussed Toppers Pizza and the brand’s recent expansion into the state of Texas. Heidi discussed how she found out about Toppers Pizza and why she thought that the TCU area was a perfect fit for the brand. Also, interviews with Mac Malchow, Field Marketing Manager, visiting Assistant Manager, Joe Sorenson and TCU students were included in the segment. The segment further discussed how Toppers Pizza has been received very well by TCU student body. Click here to view the segment, or begin reading the accompanying article below.

Toppers Pizza open on Berry Street
The national chain features late hours, wings and an energetic atmosphere geared toward college students

TCU has a new neighbor on Berry Street—Toppers Pizza.

The Wisconsin-based chain is over 1,000 miles away from its headquarters in Whitewater, Wis., but the location was carefully chosen by the CEO of Toppers Pizza, Scott Gittrich, and franchise owners, Jim and Heidi McGregor.

Toppers Pizza will have its grand opening Saturday, Sept. 8. The first 50 customers will be given a coupon book in order to receive free food for a year.

(Read More)

Monday, September 3, 2012

Toppers featured on AllFacebook.com

Toppers Pizza was recently featured on AllFacebook.com in an article titled "Restaurants Compete With Major Chains Through Facebook," which was based off of the recent NRN Article. The article discusses the engagement-driven initiatives that have helped fans and customers have a say. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Restaurants Compete With Major Chains Through Facebook

Smaller chain restaurants may not be able to compete with major chains in terms of volume, but they do have a vital way of bringing in business and keeping customers happy: Facebook. A story in Nation’s Restaurant News illustrates how restaurants are reaching out to customers through social media.

The story details how regional chains Lenny’s Sub Shop and Toppers Pizza have used Facebook and other forms of social media to grow their businesses. They have one advantage over larger companies such as Subway and Pizza Hut: fans per unit. Nation’s Restaurant News cites statistics from No Limit Media Consulting, showing that Lenny’s Facebook page had more than 84,000 likes for its chain of 147 locations — roughly 578 fans per unit. Subway, by comparison, may have 15 million likes, but they’re also more spread out, with 469 fans per location. Toppers recorded 1,228 fans per location.

(Read More)