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. 

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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)

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 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)

Bacon + Honey + Mustard. A new Dippin’ Sauce is born.

Introducing the newest member of the Toppers Pizza family... Bacon Honey Mustard Dippin' Sauce!