Toppers Pizza in the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Toppers Pizza in the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

We were featured in the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. The article is a Q & A with the CEO of Toppers Pizza, Scott Gittrich. Find out all about our founder and CEO and what he has to say about the pizza industry.

Read the full article here.

Toppers Pizza in the Post Crescent

Toppers Pizza in the Post Crescent

We were featured in the Post Crescent.  The article starts with information about the fact that the Menasha, Wisconsin, Toppers Pizza co-owners Joe Kirschling and Aaron Johnson decided to donate 100% of their store sales to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Fox Valley. Joe talks about the importance of the children’s hospital and Aaron talks about the personal investment they have in the children’s hospital.

Read the full article here.

Toppers Pizza in the Menomonee Falls NOW

Toppers Pizza in the Menomonee Falls NOW

We were featured in Menomonee Falls NOW. The article talks about how Toppers aims to impress customers with their freshly-made dough, sliced ingredients and perfectly-seasoned sauce. Tina Szejna of Toppers talks about how Toppers cares about their pizza, each other, and local customers. Furthermore, the article talks about how Toppers sets itself apart from the competition by offering out-of-the-ordinary pizza creations and how incredible the food is on their menu. 

Read the full article here.

Toppers in St. Cloud Times

Toppers in St. Cloud Times

We were featured in the St. Cloud Times. The article announces that Toppers Pizza will be returning to St. Cloud with the opening of Myron and Keith Allen’s third restaurant in the area. The article mentions that the Allens are familiar with the business through their Rochester locations, and plan to open another restaurant in the city in 2015.  

Read the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in QSR Magazine

Toppers Pizza in QSR Magazine

We were featured in QSR Magazine. The article talked about our innovating or making decisions around packaging. Scott Iversen, Toppers vice president of marketing, talked about the new packaging currently in the mix including how the Toppers changed the boxes to convey main points to consumers so that they make sure all of our brand messages/touchpoints were delivered in a fun way.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers in West Allis NOW

Toppers in West Allis NOW

We were featured in West Allis NOW. The article focuses on how West Allis Toppers Pizza Manager Tyler Winkelman took an order for Toppers from First Lady Tonette Walker on election night, the size of the order, and how his delivery driver and assistant manager got to meet the Governor Scott Walker.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers on PizzaMarketplace.com

Toppers on PizzaMarketplace.com

We were featured on PizzaMarketplace.com The article discusses minimum wage hikes across the country and talk about how some restaurants are dealing with the increase in costs. Toppers Pizza Founder and CEO Scott Gittrich is quoted about pricing and how that’s impacted in states where the minimum wage has increased. The article also looks at online ordering and how that will ultimately help offset costs.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers in QSR

Toppers in QSR

We were featured in QSR. The article in the October edition of the magazine featured the father-son team of Jon S. Crowe and Jon P. Crowe. The pair has two Toppers pizza units in Nebraska, and they are continuing to grow their place in the market.  The article covers the pairs strategy and plans for the future.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers in Nation’s Restaurant News

Toppers in Nation’s Restaurant News 

We were featured in an article titled “Restaurateurs look to snacks to boost revenues” in Nation’s Restaurant News.  The article focused on the rise in snacking at chains, Scott Iversen, Toppers' vice president of marketing, talked about the launch of Topperstix, and how this snackable item has become a brand staple among its consumers. He provided some insight on how customers, especially college students, crave this menu item and order as a snack on its own. The article looks at how its popularity and sales impacted the company, making this cornerstone product a brand differentiator.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in the Omaha World-Herald

Toppers Pizza in the Omaha World-Herald

We were featured in the Omaha World-Herald. The article talks about how Jeff Pickering of Toppers started as an assistant manager at the first Toppers Pizza in downtown Lincoln, and how he now has partial ownership of the new Toppers Pizza store scheduled to open in Omaha early next year.

The article also talks about how Jon Crowe and Jeff met while Jeff was working at Kona Grill and how he decided to take a pay cut to join the growing Toppers franchise.

Mark Cairns, Director of Franchise Development, talks about how the Jon has a development agreement that calls for five stores by the end of 2015 and that the next store to open will be in Lincoln.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza on WKOW-TV

ToppersPizza on WKOW-TV

We were featured on WKOW-TV (ABC) in Madison, Wisconsin. Kasha Ksobiech recently won the Skin Sprints at the annual Toppers convention and was on Wake Up Wisconsin in honor of National Pizza Month to show them how to toss, stretch and sauce a pizza.  Kasha won the contest by tossing, stretching and saucing six pizzas in one minute and thirty five seconds!

Watch the clip here. 

Toppers Pizza in DNA Info Chicago

Toppers Pizza in DNA Info Chicago

Toppers Pizza was featured in DNA Info Chicago. The article talks about how Toppers Pizza is expanding throughout the city of Chicago and opening up in Wrigleyville, Bucktown and Lincoln Park.

Scott Gittrich, Toppers CEO and founder, talks about how Chicago is right in Toppers Pizza’s backyard and how the brand has grown throughout the entire state of Wisconsin.  The article mentions how the goal is to open the Wrigleyville location by December 11th, and Mark Cairns spoke about how Toppers is targeting neighborhoods with younger residents.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in Pizza Marketplace

Toppers Pizza in Pizza Marketplace

ToppersPizza was featured in an article in PizzaMarketplace October 1^st, 2014 about the remodeling taking place at Toppers Pizza. 

The article talks about about the new Toppers model that is being rolled out at locations across the system. It showcases how it’s a more financially efficient design and how this is part of the brand’s push for aggressive growth. Toppers CEO and founder, Scott Gittrich, touches on the strong financial returns that are funding the remodels. The article then dives into the strong expansion the brand has experiences and includes a lot of great development information about strong growth markets. The next section focuses on obstacles and then Scott discusses the company’s push toward online ordering and mobile. The article closes out with a great wrap-up about the culture at Toppers and how the brand stays fresh and relevant.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in Crain's Chicago Business

Toppers Pizza in Crain's Chicago Business

Hello everybody!  We were featured in an article in Crain'sChicago Business on September 30th, 2014 featuring Toppers Pizza Founder & CEO Scott Gittrich.

The article talks about how Toppers Pizza is going to be opening four new locations in Chicago by January of next year. The article goes through the addresses of the locations and Scott talks about how he sees the brand as the little guy in between the Pizza Huts and the great local place. Furthermore, the article talks about how there are currently two locations in Chicago and how Toppers is looking to open 10-12 locations by the end of 2015.

Read the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's student newspaper The Pointer

Toppers Pizza in the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point's student newspaper The Pointer 

We were featured in an article in University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point’s student newspaper The Pointer on Saturday, September 27^th, 2014 about the remodel of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Toppers Pizza.

The article goes into details about the renovations with a quote from Scott Iverson, Toppers Pizza Vice President of Marketing, about the old model not matching the hip and modern attitude of the brand. The article touches on the fun that Bradley and his staff have while working and how the Stevens Point location helped the brand grow throughout the Midwest.

Read the full article here.

Toppers Pizza on Foxbusiness.com

Toppers Pizza on Foxbusiness.com

We were featured on Foxbusiness.com! The story focused on how people are buying fewer potatoes to eat at home, but when they go out to eat they order potato dishes that are indulgent which is good for business.  ToppersPizza was included in the story with Scott Iversen, Toppers Pizza Vice President of Marketing, talked about the Loaded Tot-zza Topper.  

Read the full article here.

Toppers in the Stevens Point Journal

Toppers in the Stevens Point Journal

(Photo: Nathan Vine/Stevens Point Journal Media )

We were featured in the Stevens Point Journal on August 31, 2014. The article provides information about the Stevens Point Toppers Pizzaremodel. In addition to the remodel event the article gives some details about the Toppers menu. The author provides details about the celebration taking place on Wednesday and close out with information about the location.

Read the full article here. 

Andy and Caro Johnson of Toppers Pizza in Fast Casual

Toppers Pizza in Fast Casual

The article in Fast Casual titled, “You heard it here first: first franchisees become important brand ambassadors” highlights Andy and Caro Johnson as Toppers first franchisees and their passion for the brand. It also elaborates the Johnsons “go beyond being brand ambassadors, to actually creating the systems that express the brand experience.” It mentions the locations they own as well as Scott Iverson, being quoted on the Johnson’s have contributed to the brand, "They had a hand in developing the system for how to hire and attract good people, and the checklists for keeping restaurants very clean."

Read the full article here.

Toppers Pizza in PMQ's August Issue

Toppers Pizza in PMQ's August Issue

From PMQ Pizza Magazine

Toppers Pizza is the star of the show in PMQ Pizza Magazine's August issue. Toppers Pizza Franchise Operations Director Mark Watt discussing the importance of having a solid POS system in place to make deliveries more efficient, but adds that a manager who knows the delivery area is the best way to make sure things work smoothly. Mark talks about the fun and cheerful personality that Toppers drivers exhibit and the little extras, like bringing paper plates and seasoning, that set their delivery experience apart. Drivers have a car topper bearing the logo to let people in the area know that they deliver there. They then discuss the importance of marketing during the delivery and Mark discusses the branding present on the Toppers Pizza box, the ability for pizza makers to jot a note, the “double-check stamp”, and menu magnets in college areas. They also talk about the work done on social media where Toppers has an impressive number of Facebook and Twitter fans.

You can read the full article here.

Toppers in QSR Magazine

Toppers in QSR Magazine

This article in QSR Magazine talks about brands innovating or making decisions around packaging. Scott Iverson, Toppers Pizza vice president of marketing, talks about the new packaging currently in the mix for Toppers including how the brand changed the boxes to convey main points to their consumers so that they make sure all of their brand messages and touch points are delivered in a fun way. This story showed how Toppers makes a unique connection with customers through its packaging!

Read the full story here.

Toppers Pizza in La Crosse Tribune

Peter Thomson, La Crosse Tribune

Toppers Pizza in La Crosse Tribune

Learn about how Tom Ross rose from delivery driver to Toppers’ Manager of the Year. The article talks about the efforts and achievements that Tom has made to get to where he is now, which are validated by quotes from Denise Downing. The inspirational story ends with a note about Tom’s aspirations to further advance in the company.

Read the full article here.

Toppers in Spooner Advocate

Toppers in Spooner Advocate

Tom Ross from Spooner Advocate

The article talks about how Tom Ross, Manager of Toppers of La Crosse,  grew from delivery driver to Manager of the Year for Toppers Pizza. It also mentions that Tom currently manages the restaurant of a multi-unit franchisee, and hopes to eventually become the area supervisor. Scott Iversen, Vice President of Marketing at Toppers, validates Tom’s award by discussing how the recognition is one of the company’s highest honors, and how La Crosse has been one of the brand’s top-performing stores.

Read the full article here.

Toppers in QSR

Toppers in QSR

Photo from QSR

The article introduces the idea of checking back in with brands that QSR has featured in their “Ones To Watch” since 2007. Toppers receives a “HOT” ranking due to their incredible success and growth since they were featured in July 2008 and grew from 18 to 57 units. The article points out that Toppers has tripled their unit count since 2008 and Chris is quoted about the fact that Toppers has simply gotten better in all key areas that support growth and success. He is also quoted about the variety available at Toppers that you don’t find in other big pizza chains. The article also provides a link to QSR’s “2014 Best Franchise Deals” where Toppers is a star as well. 

Read the full article here.

Toppers Pizza in Southern Lakes Newspapers

Toppers in Southern Lake Newspapers

Governor Scott Walker (from the left) greets Toppers Pizza founder Scott Gittrich, and business success expert Steve Kaplan at a USASBE forum at UW-Whitewater last month.(Craig Schreiner/UW-Whitewater photo)

The article, which included a great photo of Scott with Governor Walker, talked about how busy Scott has been over the past couple of months, with speaking engagements at the IFA and USASBE forum to share his experiences with other small business and franchise owners. 

It focused on how at the USASBE forum, Scott told the audience he had two intentions that day: “To share something of my story that will be useful to them in their endeavors and to sell a franchise.” The article included more info about Toppers, and his thoughts on small business and the business landscape of the Midwest. 

This was a positive story about the brand and its commitment to small business and franchising.

Read the full article here.

Toppers in Omaha World Herald

Toppers in Omaha World Herald

Photo from Omaha World Herald

As part of a Father's Day business article, the Crowe's and Toppers lead the way as they tell their story. There are amazing pictures that add to the story and the Crowe's personalities shine in a short video that is also with the story online. 

Click here to read the full article and watch the video. 

Toppers in Plymouth Sun Sailor

Toppers in Plymouth Sun Sailor

Photo: Plymouth Sun Sailor

This story focuses on a family opening their first of five west metro Toppers Pizza locations in Plymouth, Minn. The story is a great feature on the family owned business and how they got their start with Toppers. It gives some great background and future development in the area.

Read the full article here.

Toppers in Janesville GazetteXtra

Toppers in Janesville GazetteXtra

This article focuses on the the new Toppers Pizza Janesville opening. Toppers Pizza will open their 33rd Wisconsin location on Monday, June 9, 2014. The location is in the Kmart outlot near the intersection of Old Humes Road and Milton Avenue. The Janesville location will be managed by Pete Vincent. Vincent began working at Toppers in 2010 as a delivery driver while attending Northern Illinois University. 

You can view the full article here.

Toppers in The Grand Rapids Press

Toppers in The Grand Rapids Press

Toppers Pizza franchisee Nathan Leder was recently featured in The Grand Rapids Press. The article highlights Nathan Leder opening Toppers in Grand Rapids at 947 Wealthy St. SE this June or July. Nathan also mentions his past experiences with Taco Bell and how he transitioned to Toppers.  The article also mentions Toppers demographic and the different menu items Toppers offers.

You can view the full article here. 

 

Toppers Pizza in Chicago Sun-Times Local - Oak Leaves

Toppers Pizza in Chicago Sun-Times Local - Oak Leaves

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in the Chicago Sun-Times Local - Oak Leaves. The article talks about how Toppers Pizza will be opening a location in Oak Park. Chris Cheek talks about how Toppers got its start in Champaign, that the Toppers location closed in the mid-‘90s and that the company is now headquartered in Wisconsin. Furthermore, the article talks about how Jackie Apkarian hopes to open this location by the end of the year and that she is still looking at possible locations. 

You can view the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in the Chicago Sun-Times Voices

Toppers Pizza in the Chicago Sun-Times Voices

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in the Chicago Sun-Times Voices. The article talks about how Toppers Pizza will be opening a location in Wrigleyville at 3404 N. Sheffield in August. Chris Cheek talks about how Toppers got its start in Champaign and that Toppers is looking for areas with a lot of night traffic, foot traffic and nightlife in Chicago to open. Furthermore, the article talks about how this is one of eight stores that will be opening up in Chicagoland this year and that the first will be opening up in Mount Prospect.

You can view the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza in Minnesota Business Magazine

Toppers Pizza in Minnesota Business Magazine

Toppers Pizza franchisee duos Myron and Keith Allen were recently featured in Minnesota Business Magazine. The article talks about how Myron and Keith just opened up their second Toppers Pizza location. The article also talks about how Keith Allen fell in love with the brand while in college and how he worked there while going to school at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Furthermore, the article talks about how Keith and his father Myron not only look to offer a great product to the community, but that they are in the business of developing and helping their employees become successful in life.

You can view the full article here. 

Karl Malchow Challenges Fox 6 Milwaukee to Topperstix Jenga

Karl Malchow Challenges Fox 6 Milwaukee to Topperstix Jenga

Karl Malchow was recently featured on Fox 6 Milwaukee. During the segment, Karl talks about all the different Topperstix as the anchors try playing Jenga with them. The anchors also try out the Chocolate Baconstix and talk about the different locations in Milwaukee that are gearing up for March Madness orders.

You can also view the full segment here. 

Toppers Featured in QSR

Toppers was featured in QSR Magazine and was the first of a new back-page section series entitled “Start to Finish.” Featuring Toppers Pizza Founder and CEO, Scott Gittrich, the article begins by talking about the passion that the entire Toppers team has, and how Gittrich treats the brand like art. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Start to Finish: Scott Gittrich, Founder and CEO, Toppers Pizza
By: Sam Oches

I was taught by good people that you can capture magic if you’ve got a wonderful place that attracts really good people who believe in what you do. The thing that really gets me is there are about 1,300 Toppers team members out there today, and by and large, those people are highly engaged and believe that we’re building something special; they’re very passionate about what we’re doing.

Running a good restaurant, having a good team of people who are doing things together, is a lot like art. I hate to sound goofy about it, but to me, the restaurant business is art; it takes creativity, it takes good logic skills and being a good business person. 

(Read more).

Toppers in The LaCrosse Tribune

Toppers in The LaCrosse Tribune

Toppers Pizza Owner, Denise Downing and Toppers team member Abby Laas were recently featured in The LaCrosse Tribune. The article focuses on Abby Klaas celebrating her 10^th year with Toppers. Abby discussed how much she enjoys working at Toppers and her responsibilities as the primary dough maker for Toppers. Denise Downing also discussed how much Abby has grown over the past 10 years.

You can view the full article here. 

Toppers in Pizza Today

Toppers in Pizza Today

Toppers Pizza Owner Brad Vinton was recently featured in Pizza Today. The article focuses on the art of scheduling at a pizza restaurant. Brad is quoted about looking ahead when you’re planning out a schedule. He touches on the use of technology to make the scheduling process easier, especially when dealing with a young staff. Finally, he talks about finding the sweet spot between keeping a busy staff but not letting customer service suffer.

You can view the full article here. 

Toppers Pizza on News 19 WXOW

Toppers Pizza on News 19 WXOW

Denise Downing, owner of Toppers in Onalaska and La Crosse, Wisconsin was recently featured on News 19 WXOW. The segment highlighted Denise Downing and Toppers team member Abby Klaas.  The segment mentioned how Abby just celebrated her 10 year anniversary with Toppers and is the head dough maker for the Onalaska location.  

You can view the full segment here. 

Toppers is "Pizza with Attitude"

An article in the Park Bugle features Toppers franchisees Brad Vinton and Dan Ogiba who discuss their history with Toppers and their new opening in Falcon Heights. The article goes on to describe Toppers unique flavor profiles and distinct pizza toppings such mac 'n' cheese and tater tots.

Pizza with attitude comes to Falcon Heights
By: Roger Bergerson

There’s a new local outlet of a pizza chain that describes itself as irreverent and eclectic, offering pizza toppings like mac ’n’ cheese and tater tots, chocolate-bacon cheesy bread sticks and chipotle pepper-ranch dipping sauce.

Toppers Pizza recently opened its pick-up and delivery service at 1539 Larpenteur Ave., just east of Snelling Avenue in Falcon Heights. It’s the second such store operated by former Hamline University roommates Brad Vinton and Dan Ogiba, the other being on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.

Although the Toppers chain, which operates more than 50 restaurants in 10 states, focuses on 18-to-34-year-olds, Vinton says the Grand Avenue store has been successful with all demographic groups.

“What distinguishes us from the competition are our unique toppings, signature Topperstix and wide range of dipping sauces,” said Vinton, “as well as our exemplary customer service.”

(Read More) 

Pizza increasingly plentiful near IUPUI

The IndyStar featured Toppers in an article discussing new pizza locations opening near IUPUI. The  intersection of 10th Street and Indiana Avenue is now a hot place for pizza, and how is home to many top-name pizza brands such as Pizza Hut, Papa John's Marco's, Donatos, and now Toppers. 

Pizza increasingly plentiful near IUPUI

By: David Lindquist

College students and pizza never should be estranged, and new restaurants near the intersection of 10th Street and Indiana Avenue are keeping IUPUI attendees in close contact to pie. Blaze Pizza and Toppers Pizza have joined a party that includes established brands Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Donatos and Marco's. Blaze -- a neighbor to Pizza Hut, Papa John's, Donatos and Marco's in Lockefield Commons -- will celebrate its opening by giving away free pizzas on Tuesday, Feb. 11, and Wednesday, Feb. 12.

               Blaze Pizza

913 Indiana Ave., BlazePizza.com, 1013indianapolis@blazepizza.com.

To qualify for a free 11-inch pizza, "like" the Blaze Pizza Facebook page. At the restaurant, you'll be asked to show a mobile-device screenshot of your "like" (or a hardcopy printout will suffice). The offer runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Founded in Southern California in 2012, Blaze restaurants specialize in pizzas that cook for less than two minutes at 800 degrees. Customers select toppings in assembly-line fashion

Toppers Pizza

910 West 10th St., Suite 12, Toppers.com, (317) 672-7777.

This restaurant that opened last month in The Avenue building is the first Indianapolis location for Toppers, a company founded in Champaign, Ill., in 1991. The Toppers menu isn't limited to pizza, as the accompanying image of "Chocolate Baconstix" proves. Other innovations in Toppers history include pizzas accented by tater tots and macaroni noodles (but not on the same pie). The Indianapolis Toppers follows a Carmel store, 12545 N. Meridian St.

(Read More)

Toppers Spotlighted in Entrepreneur Magazine

Entrepreneur magazine featured a Q&A interview with popular Toppers franchisees, Phil and Denise Downing in their "Franchise Players" column, which spotlights different franchisees. The Downings discuss their history with Toppers, which is where they met while working as delivery drivers. The pair then worked their way up and now run four stores in Wisconsin and Minnesota as successful franchisees. They discuss tips one how to balance business and marriage. 

Franchise Players: How This Pizza Chain Power Couple Balances Business and Romance

By: Kate Taylor 

Name: Phil and Denise Downing

Franchises owned (location):  Toppers in LaCrosse, Wisc., Onalaska, Wisc.,  Mankato, Minn., and Winona, Minn.

How long have you owned the franchise? 

We opened our first location in LaCrosse, Wisc., in February 2002.

Why franchising?   

We both worked for corporate stores and saw their success. We had an opportunity to franchise and start as one of the first franchisees at Toppers and we went for it.  

What were you doing before you became a franchise owner?  

Phil started with Toppers in Stevens Point, Wisc., as a delivery driver in 1997. I [Denise] started with Toppers as a delivery driver in Whitewater Wis. in 1996. In 1999, we met because Phil got transferred to be the assistant manager of the Whitewater location while I was working there. We both worked our way up in the company. Just before Toppers began franchising, Phil was a general manager of the Madison Wis. store and I was doing local store marketing for the three corporate locations. 

(Read More) 

Toppers Featured in the Winonan

The Winonan featured Toppers in an article discusses the grand opening event of Denise and Phil Downing's newest Toppers location. The event, which occurred on January 25th, was a grand celebration for the community which included free samples, games and prizes. To ensure all members of the community could attend, Toppers provided a the "Stix Shuttle," a free limo service that picked up students from both Winona State University and St. Mary's University and bring them to the party. 

Toppers hosts Grand Opening Party
By: Leah Perri

Dreams may have finally came true: not only has Toppers Pizza opened a location in Winona, but they are also the first Toppers in the country to offer the new “Chocolate Baconstix”—a combination of three popular foods: bacon, chocolate and pizza bread. That’s right – it exists.

To celebrate their grand delicious opening in Winona, Toppers is throwing a little party for themselves and the community.

Free samples will be provided on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 p.m. until midnight on the corner of Third and Walnut at their “Party Later-Than-Late: Grand Opening,” complete with games and prizes. Attendees will be able to sample five different types of Topperstix along with sixteen different types of dipping sauces.

(Read More)