Toppers Pizza in QSR Magazine

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.

Toppers Pizza in the Wisconsin State Journal

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 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 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 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 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 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 Whitewater Register

Toppers in the Whitewater Register in an article titled, "For the Love of Pizza."  The article begins with some background on Toppers and how Scott Gittrich moved the company to Whitewater after getting it officially started in Champagne, Illinois. The article goes on to talk about how Toppers has differentiated itself by offering innovative ingredients and keeping a fresh and youthful attitude. The article then touches on the new pizzas, the popularity of Topperstix, and then begins going into more detail on Toppers’ beginnings. A tease to the complete story in this week’s edition of the Whitewater Register ends the article.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

For the Love of Pizza

By: Heather Ruenz

Scott Gittrich has been thinking outside of the box – pizza box, that is – for more than 20 years. And while many things have changed as Toppers Pizza has grown, one thing hasn’t – his passion.

“We have great team members everywhere – youthful energy, great people and a great culture. The key is having that magic and passion while focusing on the customer,” Gittrich, founder and president of Toppers Pizza, said.

(Read More)

Toppers Pizza in QSR

Toppers Pizza recently featured in QSR in an article titled, "Fall Spurs Brands Into Action in Fight Against Hunger." The article details how the Toppers Pizza has partnered with Feeding America®, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Scott Gittrich elaborated on the brands past success and proceeds given to Feeding America, and can explain how the brand is on-track for another record-breaking year in 2013. Every dollar donated to Feeding America® provides eight meals for families in need. He also elaborated on how Toppers is proud of its partnership with Feeding America® because of their commitment to giving back 75% of the money raised to the individual market in which it was collected. In order to spread awareness throughout Toppers’ units nationwide, Toppers Pizza franchisees have made Feeding America® a focal point at their specific locations, from developing Topperstix eating contests to creating special menu promotions. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Fall Spurs Brands Into Action in Fight Against Hunger

By: Marlee Murphy

Fall hunger-relief initiatives like September’s Hunger Action Month and last week’s World Food Day from the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) have spurred quick serves into action to thwart the global hunger problem.

Taco Bell raised a record $3 million through its World Hunger Relief promotion, which ran September 26 through October 17. Customers were offered an opportunity to donate $1 to the WFP, which reaches more than 97 million people in 80 countries.

(Read More)

Toppers featured on PizzaMarketplace.com

Toppers featured on PizzaMarketplace.com in an article titled, "Toppers on track to break fundraising record for hunger organization." The article details how Toppers has partnered with Feeding America, and is on track to break its fundraising record this year for domestic hunger relief.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Toppers on track to break fundraising record for hunger organization

Wisconsin-based Toppers Pizza is on track to break its fundraising record for domestic hunger relief organization Feeding America.

The chain raised $46,328 in 2011, the equivalent of 370,624 meals, and $50,000 in 2012, the equivalent of 400,000 meals, according to a news release.

"We wanted to give back through a method that directly reflected and connected with what we stand for, which is feeding people," said Scott Gittrich, president and founder of Toppers. "Through our partnership with Feeding America, we are able to come together not as one brand, but as one family dedicated to helping fight against hunger in America."

Every dollar donated to Feeding America provides eight meals for families in need, according to the organization. In 2012, Gittrich personally matched 50 cents for every dollar the company raised that year. In order to further drive awareness to the cause, he matched dollar for dollar in December of 2012.

(Read More)

Toppers featured in QSR Magazine

Toppers was recently featured in QSR Magazine in an article titled, "See Right Through You." Toppers Pizza CEO, Scott Gittrich, discussed the transparency of the brand and the benefits of being an open-book to customers. For the entire article click here or begin below.


See Right Through You: CEOs walk the fine line between privacy and sharing

By: Jennifer Goforth Gregory

With the media and industry experts touting the importance of executive transparency, many brands and leaders are placing a greater emphasis on being open both with their staff and customers. But while the definition oftransparency may seem as simple as being honest about actions and motivations, putting it into practice in the quick-service and fast-casual environment can be complex and challenging, especially when it comes to striking the balance between oversharing and secrecy.

(Read More)

Toppers featured in Whitewater Register

Toppers was recently featured in Whitewater Register in an article titled, "Topper’s continues major growth spurt." The article discusses the aggressive growth of Toppers and their plans to keep Whitewater as their headquarter city. Scott Gittrich says the brand is on track to open 12-14 stores in the states they currently have locations and that they have a vision of opening 500 stores by 2020.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Topper’s continues major growth spurt

By: Dave Fidlin

The restaurant chain known for such crowd-pleasers as Topperstix and macaroni and cheese pizza is in the midst of an aggressive growth spurt.

Scott Gittrich, CEO of Toppers Pizza, discussed his company’s progress and future plans with a reporter last week. He revealed a vision to have 500 stores operating throughout the country by 2020 and emphatically stated the company plans to remain anchored in Whitewater well into the foreseeable future.

(Read More)

Toppers featured Nation's Restaurant News

Toppers was recently featured in the Nation's Restaurant News in an article titled, "Breakout Brands: Toppers Pizza."  The article details Scott Gittrich, founder and chief executive, and his booming brand.

Breakout Brand: Toppers Pizza
By: Vanessa Van Landingham

Best known among its growing fanbase for menu items that founder and chief executive Scott Gittrich calls “weird,” Toppers Pizza is using its irreverent, underdog attitude and eclectic pizzas to steal share from the industry giants.

When he opened the first Toppers store in 1991, Gittrich said he was filling a void in quality and innovation that he saw in the pizza segment.

(Read More)

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)

Toppers Pizza featured in 1851 Magazine

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in an article in 1851 Magazine titled "'Young At Heart': Toppers Pizza and the advantages of having a brand that rocks." The article discussed Toppers Pizza and embracing a fanatical culture that rocks. Scott Gittrich spoke about the advantages that Toppers Pizza has over competition by being able to embrace a culture that might normally be considered risqué. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

“Young At Heart”: Toppers Pizza and the advantages of having a brand that rocks

“Everyone at Toppers Pizza is young at heart” sums up the environment of the Whitewater, WI based pizza brand. While many brands might shy away from risqué branding and marketing, Toppers Pizza embraces living on the edge.

If you need an example of this unique culture, simply look at the franchising video that Toppers Pizza CEO and founder Scott Gittrich created with his staff. The video starts with Scott speaking directly to the camera dressed in a business suite. 20 seconds into the video, Gittrich stands up and reveals that he is wearing Zubaz, the popular zebra sweatpants that everyone might remember from the 90s.

(Read More)

Toppers Pizza featured in Pizza Marketing Quarterly

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in an article titled “Toppers Pizza Taking on Chicago” in Pizza Marketing Quarterly. The brief was based off of the article we in Crain’s Chicago Business. The article discusses how Toppers may be the next big thing in Chicago pizza. The article also shares some of unique the Toppers menu items, and a link to the full Crain’s article. Click here for the article, or read it below.

Toppers Pizza Taking on Chicago

"An unassuming pizza company based in a strip mall in Whitewater, Wis., just might be the next big thing in Chicago pies," according to Crain's Chicago Business.

"Toppers Pizza, a self-described "eclectic chain," caters to 18- to 34-year-olds with pizzas like the "Hangover Helper" (Canadian bacon, regular bacon, green peppers, onions and potatoes) and the "Mac 'n' Cheese" (exactly what it sounds like). The menu also includes quesadillas, bread sticks, sub sandwiches and wings."

(Read More)

Toppers Pizza featured in Post-Bulletin

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in an article titled “Heard on the Street: New name in pizza to top off Shoppes on Second” that ran recently in Rochester, MN’s Post Bulletin. The article was based off of an interview with reporter Jeff Kiger and new Toppers owner of Rochester, Myron Allen, as well as Scott Gittrich, Toppers CEO. The article focused on the announcement of the Toppers Pizza opening in Rochester, MN later this summer. Myron Allen talked about his process for getting his location including what got him interested in investing in Toppers Pizza. Further the article talks about the possible jobs that Toppers Pizza will provide for the neighborhood. Click here for the full article, or begin reading below.

Heard on the Street: New name in pizza to top off Shoppes on Second
by Jeff Kiger

Look for a new name in pizza to top off a collection of stores and eateries on Rochester's Second Street Southwest.

A local father and son are bringing the fast-growing, national pizza chain Toppers Pizza to the Shoppes on Second project at 187 16th Ave. S.W.

That puts the eatery by the Miracle Mile Shopping Center and the not-yet-open Holiday Inn Express hotel.

(Read More)

Toppers Pizza featured in The Daily Nebraskan

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in two articles in The Daily Nebraskan, titled "Toppers Pizza to give away free food for a year" and "People brave temperatures, camp out all night for free Toppers Pizza," which ran on February 10, 2012 and February 12, respectively. The articles were based on interviews between reporter Tammy Bain, Toppers of Lincoln owner Jon P. Crowe, and CEO Scott Gittrich. The first article discussed the decision discussed Toppers' early beginnings, as well as plans for development throughout Nebraska.

In the second article, Reporter Tammy Bain spoke with several fans who waited in line overnight to be one of the first 50 people in line to win free food for a year. Bain also followed Jon S. Crowe the morning of the opening, and documented all the happenings the morning of the opening, including the awarding of the “King of the Line” to the first person in line.

The full articles are available here and here, and you can begin reading them below.

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Toppers Pizza to give away free food for a year
By Tammy Bain

Growing up, Jon P. Crowe watched as his father try to create the perfect pizza dough. P. Crowe and his father, Jon S. Crowe, always wanted to own their own pizzeria.

"We always had pizza in our blood," P. Crowe said. "We had pizza three to four times a week."
(Read More)

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People brave temperatures, camp out all night for free Toppers Pizza
By Tammy Bain

At least 50 people camped out overnight in freezing temperatures Friday for a year's worth of free pizza.

As temperatures dropped to 4 degrees with a minus-10-degree windchill, pop-up tents, blankets, chairs and even a grill lined the streets leading to 1226 P St., the new Toppers Pizza location.
(Read More)