Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Toppers Pizza on WSAW Sunrise 7




We were featured on WSAW Sunrise 7. Next week, the ToppersPizza Annual Conference will be taking place in the Wisconsin Dells. Kelly Collins from the local Wausau Toppers joined Sunrise 7 to give some pizza making tips and talk about the Skin Sprints competition coming up on June 30th.

Kelly demonstrated to the show’s hosts how to properly stretch, toss, and sauce a Toppers pizza and showed off his incredible pizza making speed and technique.


Watch the segment here

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Milwaukee Business Journal




We were featured in the Milwaukee Business Journal. ToppersPizza is in the midst of major national growth, and Toppers President Scott Gittrich spoke with the Milwaukee Business Journal about their recent success and future plans.

Gittrich says that the brand’s strategy of finding experienced restauranteurs who can open a regional group of Toppers restaurants. The pizza industry is doing exceptionally well right now, and Toppers is exceeding even that industry-wide success. According to Gittrich, "Restaurants are outperforming the economy, pizza is outperforming restaurants and we're outperforming pizza.”


Read more here

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Toppers Pizza in GazetteXtra




We were featured in GazetteXtra. Toppers Pizza has seen incredible success of late, especially in their home state of Wisconsin where they are essentially sold out of room to expand. The brand now sees itself in the midst of a major national expansion with plans to soon take on the big national pizza chains.

In a recent interview with Neil Johnson of the Janesville GazetteXtra, Toppers President Scott Gittrich and Mark Cairns, Toppers' director of franchise development discussed how the brand’s daring and creative take on pizza has set them up for big-time success both locally and nation-wide.

Toppers is looking to hit 700 stores by 2025, and plans to achieve that goal by targeting multi-unit franchisees and groups.

On the brand’s commitment to the Toppers way, Gittrich was quoted: “We're still doing what we've always done. Topping off pizza the way people want it, not going with the boring, chain-pizza stuff that people are just stuck with.”


Read more here.  

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Toppers Pizza on 1011NOW




We were featured on 1011NOW. Toppers Pizza franchisee Jon Crowe showed the 1011NOW audience how to create our cheese centric Mac N’ Cheese Pizza for National Cheese Day. In honor of National Cheese Day, he also told the audience how we source our cheese from Cedar Valley Cheese in Belgium, Wisconsin.

Click here to watch the segment.



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Toppers Pizza on WXIX




We were featured on WXIX.  June 4, 2015, was National Cheese Day and to celebrate Toppers Pizza showed WXIX how to prepare our famous pizza using Cedar Valley cheese from Belgium, WI. The segment also features our “Toppers Classic” pizza and we show how viewers can make it at home.


Read more here

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Toppers Pizza on ABC 19




We were featured on ABC 19. Thursday, June 4, 2015, is National Cheese Day, and ABC 19 had Toppers Pizza on their show to talk about how we use local Cedar Valley Cheese on all our pizzas. As a bonus, find out how to properly stretch, sauce, and cheese their pizzas at home.


Read more here.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the State Journal-Register




We were featured in the State Journal Register. ToppersPizza is looking to expand throughout Illinois, and has targeted Springfield to possibly bring three restaurants in the near future. The article discusses the incredible growth Toppers has seen and mentions how we’re currently looking for franchisees to bring the brand to Springfield.

Toppers Pizza's vice president of marketing Scott Iversen was quoted: "We're looking at real estate in Springfield and franchisees. We expect to have located both in a couple months."


Read more here

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Toppers Pizza on QSRWeb.com




We were featured on QSRWeb.com.  Franchise Business Review recently released their Top 50 Multi-Unit Franchises for 2015 special report and ToppersPizza landed in the report's Top 25 Brick & Mortar Opportunities category.


Read more here.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Toppers Pizza in Restaurant Facility Business




We were featured in Restaurant Facility Business. Toppers Pizza has grown sales and their franchise system by remaining innovative and keeping the brand fresh. We see 40 percent of sales through carryout today, whereas 20 years ago that number was closer to five percent. As a leader of the better pizza segment, Toppers makes sure that the visual appeal of their restaurant locations matches the appeal of their better ingredients, toppings, and approach to pizza.


Read more here

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Toppers Pizza in Franchise Times




We were featured in Franchise Times. In the current world of franchise construction financing, options abound. As we move farther away from the recession, more banks and lenders are offering a variety of ways to finance a franchise construction project. However, as lenders are becoming more willing to open their wallets, with the recession still a near memory, borrowers have to provide more documentation to secure financing. Toppers Pizza Director of Franchise Development Mark Cairns says, “A big piece of it is that the banks are comfortable with the concept. They know who Toppers is, and they are probably approving the brand as well as the franchisee at the same time.” 

Toppers Pizza opened 17 new locations in 2014 and has plans to open a dozen or more locations in 2015.


Read more here.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Omaha World-Herald




We were featured in the Omaha World-Herald. Jeff Pickering just opened a new Toppers Pizza in Omaha, and celebrated by giving away free pizza for a year to the first 50 people in line. Find out more about the daily operations of this new Toppers Pizza and about the giveaway here. 



Read more here.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Toppers Pizza in The Wall Street Journal




We were featured in the Wall Street Journal. The low U.S. unemployment rate has led to increased competition in the labor market and wage increases across the board, which has many companies making tough decisions about where to cut costs and how to manage the increased wage demand.  Toppers Pizza Chief Financial Officer Kendall Richmond  talks about the challenges the booming pizza company is facing and how they’re approaching them, and used the company as the lead for her story and as an example of what businesses from McDonalds to Walmart are facing. Richmond discusses the work being done to make sure not to transfer the costs to consumers by increasing prices. He also touches on the impact that wage increase have, but how retraining new workers comes at a cost as well.


Read more here.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Sioux Falls Business Journal




We were featured in the Sioux Falls Business Journal. ToppersPizza is looking to expand into South Dakota and has signed franchisees to bring the restaurants to Sioux Falls. In the article, Shane Quail, the managing owner in the Sioux Falls market and Toppers franchisee, discusses the timetable for bringing the restaurants to the area, and talks about what makes Toppers a great fit for Sioux Falls.


Read more here.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Toppers Pizza in The Brookings Register




We were featured in The Brookings Register. Toppers Pizza is looking to expand into South Dakota and is specifically looking at Brookings. In the article, Mark Cairns, director of franchise development, discusses what separates Toppers from other pizza chains in the market and talks about their plans for development in the area.


Read more here.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Toppers Pizza on Kickin' Country 100.5




We were featured on Kickin’ Country 100.5. Wisconsin-based Toppers Pizza is close to an agreement that would allow it to open doors in six possible locations in Sioux Falls, Brookings and Sioux City, Iowa.

Find out more about the area and how to make a Toppers Pizza in the article.


Read more here

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Sioux Falls Business Journal




We were featured in the Sioux Falls Business Journal. ToppersPizza is looking to expand into South Dakota and is close to an agreement to bring up to 3 restaurants to Sioux Falls. In the article, Mark Cairns, director of franchise development, discusses what separates Toppers from other pizza chains in the market and talks about their plans for development in the area.


Read more here.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Sheboygan Press




We were featured in the Sheboygan Press. Toppers Pizza has built their brand based on a commitment to improving their communities. In Sheboygan, the Toppers Pizza is teaming with St. Jude Children’s Hospital to raise funds and spread awareness with their Partners In Hope Special for $14.99 and hosting the telethon in their location.  Last year, Toppers raised $8,000 for St. Jude.


Read more here.  

Friday, March 20, 2015

Toppers in Pizza Today




We were featured in Pizza Today. Toppers is famous for their pizzas that only use the best ingredients, but the brand’s Topperstix have become nearly as popular – representing a quarter of all sales. Vice President of Marketing Scott Iversen talks about the booming Topperstix sales, and how Toppers went against the grain to create, brand, and market what would typically be seen in the pizza industry as a side dish, to incredible results.

Read more here

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Toppers Pizza in QSR




We were featured in QSR. Toppers Pizza has built their brand based on the attitude of “Never Settling” and setting themselves apart from the corporate pizza chains. Part of this mentality is in the way that our local franchisees in smaller markets are able to connect with their customers and build brand loyalty. 


Read the full article below.






Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead




Wisconsin-based Toppers Pizza is looking to continue its expansion outside of its home state, the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead recently covered their expansion plans for Fargo, North Dakota. The article looks at how the brand could open the first location as soon as the end of this year or early next and how it takes $400,000 to $450,000 to open a Toppers Pizza. Furthermore, the article shows how there are a dozen Toppers Pizza locations in Minnesota and how the strong economy, culture and college population make Fargo an attractive place for the brand to grow.


You can read the full article here

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Toppers Pizza in Chicago Sun-Times




We were featured in the Chicago Sun-Times. New Toppers Pizza franchisee, Jackie Apkarian is opening a Toppers location in Bucktown, in Chicago, with plans to open a second location in Oak Park and eventually a third location in the Chicagoland area. Toppers will continue to grow in Chicago this year with three other stores planned to open.


Read the full article here

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Toppers Pizza in Crain's Chicago Business




We were featured in Crain’s Chicago Business. Toppers Pizza is set to open more than five locations in Chicago in 2015 and bring more than 100 jobs to the city. The first opening is in Bucktown on February 16th, 2015. The owner of the Bucktown Toppers is a single mother named Jackie Apkarian who learned about Toppers because her daughter is doing pre-med at Marquette University and her and her friends would bring it home. Jackie liked the pizza so much that she looked into the brand and decided to become a franchise owner. Jackie also has a 16 year-old son. She’s excited to open this first location at 1658 N. Milwaukee Street in Chicago, and then has plans to open two more.

The article also talks about how this is the first of nine locations to open in the Chicago area in the next two years, and how Toppers looks to target 18- to 30-year-old young adults as the brand continues to expand.


Read the full article here

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Toppers Pizza in DNA Info Chicago




We were featured in DNA Info Chicago. Toppers Pizza is set to open more than five locations in Chicago in 2015 and bring more than 100 jobs to the city. The first opening is in Bucktown on February 16th, 2015. The owner of the Bucktown Toppers is a single mother named Jackie Apkarian who learned about Toppers because her daughter is doing pre-med at Marquette University and her and her friends would bring it home. Jackie liked the pizza so much that she looked into the brand and decided to become a franchise owner. Jackie also has a 16 year-old son and her family takes in abused dogs and nurses them back to health and then keeps them. She’s excited to open this first location at 1658 N. Milwaukee Street in Chicago, and then has plans to open two more.

Alisa Hauser, with DNA Info Chicago spoke with Jackie about how she is excited to open up the first Wicker Park location and how she is also looking into opening her second location in Oak Park. Mark Cairns talks about how the Bucktown/Wicker Park area was selected as the chain’s next location because of the vibrant area and its great nightlife scene. The article also talks about the grand opening event that Jackie will be having on February 21st.

Read the full article here.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Toppers Pizza on ABC 8 Lincoln




We were featured on ABC 8 Lincoln. Jon Crowe from Toppers Pizza was on the show and talked about all of the different types of pizzas that Toppers Pizza offers for the Super Bowl. Jon also went through all of the different toppings that viewers can use to make different types of pizzas for parties at home. Furthermore, Jon went through how viewers can go about ordering pizzas in advance for the big game.  

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Toppers Pizza on FOX Milwaukee




We were featured on FOX Milwaukee. Pat and Brian from Toppers Pizza stopped by the FOX6 WakeUp show to talk about the unusual toppings found at Toppers Pizza. Watch as Pat and Brian walk the show through the three most popular pizzas at their location with the Buffalo Chicken, The Loaded Tot-zza and The Three Little Pigs. Find out about the secret behind Topper in this great clip.

Watch the entire segment here

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Toppers Pizza in QSR Magazine




We were featured in QSR Magazine. Innovation in the restaurant industry is ever-changing, especially in the pizza segment, where perfecting online ordering and delivery continues to be the key to success. In fact, Toppers Pizza Founder and CEO, Scott Gittrich was highlighted in a QSR Magazine story about how he has found a way to lead in ordering innovation and digital ordering platforms by enhancing systems through a strategy of “the best defense is a good offense.”  

The 63-unit brand uses new innovation and sticking to its core brand to market to its millennial customer, which Gittrich said has positioned the brand to grab and defend its market share from their giant competitors.


Read the full story here.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Toppers Pizza in the Wisconsin State Journal




We were featured in an article in the Wisconsin StateJournal. The article showcases Madison Toppers Pizza Shift Manager/Lead Delivery Driver Michael Faucher. Michael talks about how the falling gas prices have been a positive for him and other Toppers delivery drivers. Scott Gittrich, Founder and President of Toppers Pizza, is also featured in the article discussing Toppers use of run pay.

Find out more about how the lower gas price is effecting Toppers from the Wisconsin State Journal.


Read the full article here

Toppers Pizza in the Wall Street Journal




We were featured in the Wall Street Journal. The story focuses on states and cities that have or are proposing minimum wage increases. In 2014, a total of 14 states increased minimum wages. The article states that the federal government is unlikely to pass a sweeping minimum wage increase in 2015, but several cities are considering hikes. The article noted that Toppers Pizza has opened stores in Minnesota, where the minimum wage has gone up, and is looking to grow in Illinois, where minimum wage proposals are on the table. Scott Iversen, Toppers Pizza VP of Marketing, talks about how Toppers will be handling the effects of a minimum wage increase at their Minnesota and Illinois locations.


Read the full article here.

Toppers Pizza in Pizza Marketplace




We were featured in Pizza Marketplace. Scott Iversen, Toppers Pizza VP of Marketing, was featured in the article discussing what he thinks was the biggest culinary trend of 2014 and what he predicts for the industry in 2015. The piece was entitled, “Executive round table: Pizza industry leaders make their 2015 predictions.”

Scott looks at how consumers will be the focus of 2015.

"They'll want to feel they got a great value for their buck, both in taste and presentation.” Said Iversen. “They don't want to settle for a boring, bland pizza thrown at them by a delivery driver who doesn't seem to care anymore.”

Find out more about what Scott has to say about last year and the year ahead at Pizzamarketplace.com.


Read the whole article here.