Toppers Pizza on QSRWeb.com

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.

Toppers Pizza in QSR

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.

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 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 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 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 Featured in PizzaMarketplace

Toppers was featured in PizzaMarketplace in an article integrating the best menu trends from the year 2013. VP of Marketing Scott Iverson discusses the innovative flavor profiles and bold new menu items that have been  dominating the pizza marketplace. Additionally, PizzaMarketplace featured a separate article entitled "Pizza experts share crystal ball predictions for 2014", which discusses continued innovation into the new year. Here pizza experts shared their thoughts on future trends to watch out for including forecasts of more vegan options, more ethnic flavors and more mobile support. 

Pizza executives reflect on the top menu stories of the year and Pizza experts share crystal ball predictions for 2014
By: Alicia Kelso

It is in our nature to reflect on the year as a new one approaches. And we've tried to do just that — pulling together 2013's top stories from the menu, as well as the top stories that had nothing to do with food at all.

We think we have (at least try to have) a unique perspective, covering the pizza industry as news releases pour in constantly, tradeshows come and go and feature ideas come to fruition. But we also wanted to get a pulse from those whose hands are most firmly on the beat of this dynamic, popular and fast-paced industry. Here are the biggest culinary trends from 2013 from restaurant executives' point-of-view:

Biggest pizza menu trends from 2013

"Customization and speed." – Lori Walderich, co-founder, Top That! Pizza.

"The whole fast casual pizza industry really blew up in 2013. Also, gluten-free has been a big trend." – Drew French, founder, Your Pie.

"Put simply, big, bold flavors. Whether in the 'better burger,' sandwich or pizza categories, I think we are seeing brands continue to push the needle by delivering customers unexpected and innovative flavor profiles that surprise, yet please their taste buds." – Scott Iverson, VP of Marketing, Toppers Pizza.

To Learn More:2013 Review: http://www.pizzamarketplace.com/article/225037/Pizza-executives-reflect-on-the-top-menu-stories-of-the-year

2014 Look Ahead: http://www.pizzamarketplace.com/article/225161/Pizza-experts-share-crystal-ball-predictions-for-2014

Toppers in QSR

Toppers featured in QSR in an article titled, "For Toppers, Creativity is Key in New Pizza Development." The article begins with some info on the new house pizzas and a quote from Iversen about how the brand stays ahead of the pack through creativity and listening to customers. The article then gives more details on the unique flavor combinations, as well as the new line of Dippin’ Sauces, and then touches on the new menu design. The article ends with a nod to the possibility of chocolate and bacon flavored Topperstix in the spring, and how Toppers strives to constantly surprise and engage their customers.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

For Toppers, Creativity is Key in New Pizza Development
By: Marlee Murphy

Toppers Pizza is demonstrating its “irrational love of pizza” with three new house pizzas, which it launched November 4: Three Little Pigs, the Loaded Tot-zza, and El Cubano.

Scott Iversen, vice president of marketing for Toppers, says the brand's creativity and willingness to think outside the box will help drive the new pizzas.

“Customers are telling us how much they love the new flavor combinations,” he says. “Something that we are known for are these unique, old flavor profiles. We're willing to put some unusual things together on a pizza that maybe customers hadn't thought of that turn out to be pretty darn good.”

(Read More)

Toppers in QSR

Toppers recently featured in QSR in an article titled, "Toppers Rolls Out a Menu Revamp."  The article summarizes the press release and pulls some quotes and information from it about the new menu at Toppers. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Toppers Rolls Out a Menu Revamp

Toppers Pizza, a 50-unit franchise pizza delivery brand, announced a menu makeover. The adjustments to the menu, which will officially launch on November 4, will roll out more of the customizable options for which Toppers has become known, like pizzas with tater tots, pulled pork, diced dill pickles, or French fried onions, in addition to it Mac ‘N Cheese Topper and Taco Topper.

(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 QSR Magazine

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in an article titled "The Art of the LTO" in QSR Magazine. The article features Toppers' focus on social media as a driving force in promoting limited-time offers. Scott Iversen shares the secrets of timing and volume that help with their success in these types of promotions. Click here to read the full article, or read the Toppers excerpt below.

The Art of the LTO
Limited-time offers are a fundamental part of the quick-serve industry. Here’s how to do them right.

Toppers Pizza, with 41 locations in the Midwest and South, is another operation that focuses heavily on social media, primarily Facebook, to promote its LTOs. With more than 50,000 fans following it, the company will regularly put out aggressively priced, short-term deals, such as a large one-topping pizza for $5, good for three days only.

“You’ve got to be ‘in the know’ to get these kinds of deals,” says Scott Iversen, vice president of marketing for Toppers. “It’s a matter of building up exclusivity. But it’s crazy when it happens; we do them generally at the end of a quarter, and our Facebook page goes wild, the stores are filled, people are telling their friends to get down here.”

With all those people buying $5 pizzas, it would be understandable to think the company wouldn’t make a profit on that particular LTO. But Iversen says it all works out in the end if the offer is good enough. “We end up doing double the amount of transaction counts during an LTO compared to a normal week, and the volume we do makes up for the lower margin,” he says. “And of course you’ve got ancillary sales in drinks and sides.”

(Read More)

Toppers Pizza featured in QSR Magazine

Toppers Pizza was featured in QSR Magazine in a story titled “Is Franchising Right for You?” published on Monday, February 6, 2012 and in the February 2012 edition. In a story about when to franchise your business, president and founder Scott Gittrich did an amazing job explaining why he wanted to open a few successful stores of his own before opening up the franchise opportunity due to wanting to perfect the model and opportunity. In the article, Scott also provides some great advice to others looking to franchise their business and what they can expect to endure. Click here to view the full article, or begin reading below.

Is Franchising Right for You?
By Julie Knudson

As the economy slowly strengthens, founders of successful eateries may be considering franchising as a growth model, but experts say CEOs must approach it with caution and do their due diligence to make sure it’s appropriate for their brand.

The first step, experts say, is to explore the viability of their brand on a bigger scale.

(Read More)

Toppers Pizza featured in QSR Magazine

Reporter Sam Oches of QSR, a restaurant industry trade publication, spoke with Scott Iversen about Toppers Pizza’s new focus on franchise development. The new direction focuses on attracting multi-unit operators who have a diverse portfolio of restaurant experience. Toppers has also hired two new key employees to round up its team: Brett Larrabee, formerly on the 5 Guys Burgers & Fries franchise development team and Curtis White, formerly with Quizno’s on the operations end. The strategic short term goal is for 100 units by the end of 2013 and the long term plan is to have 500 locations by 2020. Check out the article to learn more about Toppers growth.

Toppers Lays Out Plans for Accelerated Growth
By Sam Oches

Toppers Pizza announced that, as a means to accelerate growth, the company will start focusing on employing multiunit franchisees with diverse portfolios instead of single-unit operators.

The 28-unit, Whitewater, Wisconsin–based brand is aiming to have 100 units open and operating by 2013, says director of marketing Scott Iversen.
(Read More)

Toppers Pizza featured in QSR

Toppers Pizza was recently featured in QSR. In the QSR article called “Battling Back Against Winter,” which published April 8, Adam Oldenburg of Toppers Pizza describes how Toppers embraces the winter weather and in doing so has made a name for being the place to go during winter storms. In the article, Adam says that winter snow days can double sales easily at all 28 Toppers Pizza locations and that Toppers has become known as the place to go during a storm. Click here to view the full article

Battling Back Against Winter: Quick serves find ways to fight off the winter blues as signs of spring approach.
By Mary Avant

Since mid-December, seven major snow storms have hit states all over the U.S., from the Northeast to the West Coast and everywhere in between.

This bleak weather “has literally dimmed the bulb on the restaurant business pretty much across the board,” says David Crane, CEO of BlueSky Local, a slow sales response solution for restaurants.

(Read More)