Pizza chains gear up for Thanksgiving Eve
The grand prize winner gets the pizza named in his or her honor, plus free Toppers for a year and a $500 gift card. (Read more)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Toppers Pizza featured in Nation's Restaurant News
An article called “Pizza chains gear up for Thanksgiving” published in Nation’s Restaurant News, which discusses Thanksgiving weekend as a big pizza sales weekend among Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s. The reporter mentions the end of the Toppers Pizza’s “Spank Your Pizza” contest, and how the contest will wrap up right around the Thanksgiving holiday. This is a great placement for Toppers as they are mentioned among the nation’s biggest pizza chains and gives great validation to Toppers as a legitimate pizza contender. Check out a portion of the story below or read the full story here.
Pizza chains gear up for Thanksgiving Eve
While Wednesday is the start of a big sales weekend for many pizza chains, it also marks the end of the “Spank Your Pizza” contest at Whitewater, Wis.-based Toppers Pizza. The 28-unit chain for the past several weeks has hosted the contest on its Facebook page, inviting fans to create the next house pizza for toppers and have their inventions face off against the others in a tournament-style bracket. The final four contestants squared off in a semifinal Tuesday, and the winner will be decided during voting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The grand prize winner gets the pizza named in his or her honor, plus free Toppers for a year and a $500 gift card. (Read more)
Pizza chains gear up for Thanksgiving Eve
The grand prize winner gets the pizza named in his or her honor, plus free Toppers for a year and a $500 gift card. (Read more)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
We Come Fast, No Apologies: Eclectic Pizza Franchise Will Expand to South Milwaukee/Cudahy
Toppers Pizza Continues Successful Emergence; Focuses on Maintaining Consistent Fanatical Brand Support Location-to-Location
The big pizza chains serve their purpose: Mediocre food, mediocre promises, mediocre connections. Toppers Pizza, though, a 28-unit eclectic pizza delivery franchise brand, doesn’t fit that mold. And now Toppers Pizza is going to bring the first pizza concept with personality to the South Milwaukee/Cudahy area – slated to open in the Summer/Fall 2011 under the leadership of locally-based entrepreneur, Dave Gilewski.
Gilewski traded phone books for pizza boxes in 2008 when he opened his first Toppers Pizza location in Franklin. Prior to becoming one of Toppers’ most successful franchisees, he sold ad space with the Yellow Pages for six years. It was when Gilewski’s brother’s college roommate ate Toppers’ Tacostix every single night for dinner that he curiously looked into the brand that had every college student addicted.
From the get-go Gilewski was impressed by how Toppers Pizza takes a typical pizza concept and shakes it up through its irreverent personality that’s edgy and unfiltered characteristics, created and maintained through the leadership of CEO and Founder of Toppers Pizza, Scott Gittrich.
“We get a ridiculous number of phone calls from South Milwaukee wanting Toppers Pizza to deliver out to them,” said Gilewski. “That’s when the idea sparked and it all just went from there.”
While Papa John’s, Domino’s, and Pizza Hut are stuck in a stiff battle for the family demographic, Toppers remained hooked on being a hip, cool brand, connected to the nationally untapped 18-34 demographic. This strategy, Gittrich said, has helped Toppers sustain its growth, even in a down economy, in that there are more young, energetic consumers craving a real brand connection.
Along with its ability to tap into the most influential demographic, 18-34 year olds, Toppers has made a name for itself as the innovators of unique menu items. Toppers was the first delivery brand to capture the cheesy bread marketplace with its famous Topperstix. Toppers has never shied away from innovation with its Mac ‘N Cheese; Potato Topper; Cool C-B-R (Chicken-Bacon-Ranch); The Hangover Helper; Buffalo Wings, Quesadillas, Grinders, and dozens of other menu items. Different from the competition, 70 percent of Toppers’ sales come from items not traditionally found on competitor’s menus.
“Dave Gilewski fits the profile of typical Toppers franchisee in that he or she has the drive to go over and beyond the lackadaisical efforts of the other guys,” Gittrich said noting that Toppers is expecting to grow further throughout Wisconsin in the next few years.
Gilewski will also carry on a Toppers tradition when it opens its doors to the public next spring by giving away free food for a year to the first 50 customers. This marketing method creates a fanatical madness, and rush, with Toppers’ customers waiting as long as 48 hours prior to the opening of the doors.
“Toppers is already part of the South Milwaukee culture; we just aren’t physically there yet,” said Gilewski. “I’m excited to give them what they want when they want it without having to drive 30 minutes to get to my Franklin location.”
The big pizza chains serve their purpose: Mediocre food, mediocre promises, mediocre connections. Toppers Pizza, though, a 28-unit eclectic pizza delivery franchise brand, doesn’t fit that mold. And now Toppers Pizza is going to bring the first pizza concept with personality to the South Milwaukee/Cudahy area – slated to open in the Summer/Fall 2011 under the leadership of locally-based entrepreneur, Dave Gilewski.
Gilewski traded phone books for pizza boxes in 2008 when he opened his first Toppers Pizza location in Franklin. Prior to becoming one of Toppers’ most successful franchisees, he sold ad space with the Yellow Pages for six years. It was when Gilewski’s brother’s college roommate ate Toppers’ Tacostix every single night for dinner that he curiously looked into the brand that had every college student addicted.
From the get-go Gilewski was impressed by how Toppers Pizza takes a typical pizza concept and shakes it up through its irreverent personality that’s edgy and unfiltered characteristics, created and maintained through the leadership of CEO and Founder of Toppers Pizza, Scott Gittrich.
“We get a ridiculous number of phone calls from South Milwaukee wanting Toppers Pizza to deliver out to them,” said Gilewski. “That’s when the idea sparked and it all just went from there.”
While Papa John’s, Domino’s, and Pizza Hut are stuck in a stiff battle for the family demographic, Toppers remained hooked on being a hip, cool brand, connected to the nationally untapped 18-34 demographic. This strategy, Gittrich said, has helped Toppers sustain its growth, even in a down economy, in that there are more young, energetic consumers craving a real brand connection.
Along with its ability to tap into the most influential demographic, 18-34 year olds, Toppers has made a name for itself as the innovators of unique menu items. Toppers was the first delivery brand to capture the cheesy bread marketplace with its famous Topperstix. Toppers has never shied away from innovation with its Mac ‘N Cheese; Potato Topper; Cool C-B-R (Chicken-Bacon-Ranch); The Hangover Helper; Buffalo Wings, Quesadillas, Grinders, and dozens of other menu items. Different from the competition, 70 percent of Toppers’ sales come from items not traditionally found on competitor’s menus.
“Dave Gilewski fits the profile of typical Toppers franchisee in that he or she has the drive to go over and beyond the lackadaisical efforts of the other guys,” Gittrich said noting that Toppers is expecting to grow further throughout Wisconsin in the next few years.
Gilewski will also carry on a Toppers tradition when it opens its doors to the public next spring by giving away free food for a year to the first 50 customers. This marketing method creates a fanatical madness, and rush, with Toppers’ customers waiting as long as 48 hours prior to the opening of the doors.
“Toppers is already part of the South Milwaukee culture; we just aren’t physically there yet,” said Gilewski. “I’m excited to give them what they want when they want it without having to drive 30 minutes to get to my Franklin location.”
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Toppers Pizza Stays on Campus for Another Three Years
Pizza Sales Skyrocketed on Campus; Toppers Signs Extension
A year after Toppers Pizza beat out other pizza brands and signed a one-year agreement to be Minnesota State University – Mankato’s official pizza provider for athletics, it has extended its presence by another three years to become a mainstay on the Minnesota State University -Mankato campus.
Paul and Sue Wilke, the husband and wife franchisee team of Toppers Pizza in Mankato, brought Minnesota State University the highest pizza sales they’ve had in its history, a big factor in why MSU – Mankato opted to sign a three year extension with the irreverent pizza franchise.
“We delivered,” the Wilkes said, “Both literally and figuratively. If we said something was going to happen, it did. We never fell short of our promise to the University.”
Prior to scoring a spot on campus, Toppers had been a basketball supporter for two years as well as providing sponsorships and corporate partnerships in many aspects of MSU athletics. Through the new alliance, Toppers took their sponsorship to a whole new level; including buying the university four light boxes for the stadium for use by university sponsors, and becoming a high-level sponsor at events like Midnight Madness.
The new contract began on August 1, 2010 and runs through July 31, 2013. According to MSU’s assistant director for athletics, Mike Powicki, Toppers Pizza will be sold at all Minnesota State University athletic concessions and will have a heavy presence on football, basketball, soccer and volleyball game days, not only in the concessions, but on the field as well.
“Toppers will be involved in enhancing the game atmosphere. They will do in-game samplings and promotions geared to build up student attendance,” said Powicki.
Toppers will continue to give away 100 free slices of pizza to the student section at the men’s and women’s home games. It also gives the men’s and women’s basketball teams $500 to spend on Toppers Pizza on their discretion.
Pizza is the only concession that outside vendors can bid on since all other food is made by MSU, and competition is extremely fierce. Powicki said that the national pizza chains as well as the smaller, local pizza brands all compete to be on campus.
“Toppers’ initial athletic presence was the result of a healthy relationship that Paul and Sue Wilke have built with MSU that catapulted Toppers to the top of the list,” Powicki said. “Toppers proved to be a great choice for our pizza vendor with their accuracy, consistency and overall student-focused attitude. We are excited to have them around for at least another three years.”
Toppers of Mankato opened its doors three years ago and immediately began connecting with Minnesota State University to build tight relationships with the college community. Upon entering the market, Toppers held a huge grand opening event in which the first 50 people in line the day of their grand opening received free Toppers for a year. Ever since then, MSU students have been hooked and it shows as all 40 of Toppers employees are MSU students, including the Wilke’s two sons.
“We have established an emotional connection with the MSU students and now that we have solidified our presence on campus, it is only going to intensify,” said the Wilke’s.
A year after Toppers Pizza beat out other pizza brands and signed a one-year agreement to be Minnesota State University – Mankato’s official pizza provider for athletics, it has extended its presence by another three years to become a mainstay on the Minnesota State University -Mankato campus.
Paul and Sue Wilke, the husband and wife franchisee team of Toppers Pizza in Mankato, brought Minnesota State University the highest pizza sales they’ve had in its history, a big factor in why MSU – Mankato opted to sign a three year extension with the irreverent pizza franchise.
“We delivered,” the Wilkes said, “Both literally and figuratively. If we said something was going to happen, it did. We never fell short of our promise to the University.”
Prior to scoring a spot on campus, Toppers had been a basketball supporter for two years as well as providing sponsorships and corporate partnerships in many aspects of MSU athletics. Through the new alliance, Toppers took their sponsorship to a whole new level; including buying the university four light boxes for the stadium for use by university sponsors, and becoming a high-level sponsor at events like Midnight Madness.
The new contract began on August 1, 2010 and runs through July 31, 2013. According to MSU’s assistant director for athletics, Mike Powicki, Toppers Pizza will be sold at all Minnesota State University athletic concessions and will have a heavy presence on football, basketball, soccer and volleyball game days, not only in the concessions, but on the field as well.
“Toppers will be involved in enhancing the game atmosphere. They will do in-game samplings and promotions geared to build up student attendance,” said Powicki.
Toppers will continue to give away 100 free slices of pizza to the student section at the men’s and women’s home games. It also gives the men’s and women’s basketball teams $500 to spend on Toppers Pizza on their discretion.
Pizza is the only concession that outside vendors can bid on since all other food is made by MSU, and competition is extremely fierce. Powicki said that the national pizza chains as well as the smaller, local pizza brands all compete to be on campus.
“Toppers’ initial athletic presence was the result of a healthy relationship that Paul and Sue Wilke have built with MSU that catapulted Toppers to the top of the list,” Powicki said. “Toppers proved to be a great choice for our pizza vendor with their accuracy, consistency and overall student-focused attitude. We are excited to have them around for at least another three years.”
Toppers of Mankato opened its doors three years ago and immediately began connecting with Minnesota State University to build tight relationships with the college community. Upon entering the market, Toppers held a huge grand opening event in which the first 50 people in line the day of their grand opening received free Toppers for a year. Ever since then, MSU students have been hooked and it shows as all 40 of Toppers employees are MSU students, including the Wilke’s two sons.
“We have established an emotional connection with the MSU students and now that we have solidified our presence on campus, it is only going to intensify,” said the Wilke’s.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Toppers Pizza featured in Onalaska Holmen Courier-Life
Local Toppers Pizza owner/operator Denise Downing and local Fire Chief Don Dominick of Onalaska discuss their decision to team up to celebrate the fact that October is both National Pizza Month and National Fire Safety Month. On October 5th, from 4-8 p.m., local fire fighters will be delivering Toppers Pizza to residents via fire truck! Then, they will do smoke detector checks at every customer’s house, and provide free smoke detectors and batteries to any customers that need them. The article went on to discuss the importance of fire safety and upcoming plans for Toppers to team up with WAFER for fundraising efforts in the upcoming months. Check out a portion of the article below or read the full article here.
Ordering pizza might save a life
By Jo Anne Killeen
Onalaska pizza lovers ordering through Toppers on Oct. 5 will get a special treat when their pizza is delivered. A volunteer fire fighter might be behind the delivery person.
Toppers is teaming up with the Onalaska Fire Department to celebrate National Pizza Month and National Fire Safety Month, both celebrated in October.
According to Denise Downing, owner of Toppers, when pizzas are ordered between 4 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, Onalaska firefighters will also arrive with the delivery, sometimes via fire truck if one is available. While the customer is completing the pizza transaction, volunteer fire fighters will conduct smoke detector checks and provide free smoke detectors and batteries where needed.
“It will be kind of neat to see fire vehicles with a Toppers sign on top,” Downing said. (Read More)
Ordering pizza might save a life
By Jo Anne Killeen
Onalaska pizza lovers ordering through Toppers on Oct. 5 will get a special treat when their pizza is delivered. A volunteer fire fighter might be behind the delivery person.Toppers is teaming up with the Onalaska Fire Department to celebrate National Pizza Month and National Fire Safety Month, both celebrated in October.
According to Denise Downing, owner of Toppers, when pizzas are ordered between 4 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, Onalaska firefighters will also arrive with the delivery, sometimes via fire truck if one is available. While the customer is completing the pizza transaction, volunteer fire fighters will conduct smoke detector checks and provide free smoke detectors and batteries where needed.
“It will be kind of neat to see fire vehicles with a Toppers sign on top,” Downing said. (Read More)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Toppers Pizza franchisee gives back by supporting National Fire Safety Month
Local Toppers Pizza owner/operator Denise Downing and La Crosse Division Fire Chief Warren Thomass discuss their decision to team up to celebrate the fact that October is both National Pizza Month and National Fire Safety Month. On October 5th, from 4-8 p.m., local fire fighters will be delivering Toppers Pizza to residents via fire truck. Then, they will do smoke detector checks at every customer’s house, and provide free smoke detectors and batteries to any customers that need them. The point they're trying to get across, Thomass says, is that it takes the same amount of time to check your smoke detectors as it does to order a pizza! The article went on to discuss the importance of fire safety and upcoming plans for Toppers to team up with WAFER for fundraising efforts in the upcoming months. Read a portion of the article below or check out the full story here.
Order pizza, get smoke detector checked
La Crosse and Ona-laska firefighters are teaming up with Toppers Pizza to observe National Fire Safety Month and National Pizza Month in October.
Fire trucks will accompany pizza delivery drivers for orders placed from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters will check smoke detectors and hand out free detectors and batteries donated by Toppers when needed while customers are completing the pizza transaction, said local Toppers owner Denise Downing.
“The message is that it takes about the same time (to check smoke alarms) as it does to have a pizza delivered but can save your life. It is yet another tool for us to make a positive impact on homeowners’ safety,” Onalaska Fire Chief Don Dominick said. (Read More).
Order pizza, get smoke detector checked
La Crosse and Ona-laska firefighters are teaming up with Toppers Pizza to observe National Fire Safety Month and National Pizza Month in October.Fire trucks will accompany pizza delivery drivers for orders placed from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters will check smoke detectors and hand out free detectors and batteries donated by Toppers when needed while customers are completing the pizza transaction, said local Toppers owner Denise Downing.
“The message is that it takes about the same time (to check smoke alarms) as it does to have a pizza delivered but can save your life. It is yet another tool for us to make a positive impact on homeowners’ safety,” Onalaska Fire Chief Don Dominick said. (Read More).
Friday, November 5, 2010
Toppers featured in the DailyVista
Toppers was recently featured in an article called “Toppers Pizza ready to share business model with the nation,” which published in today’s edition of DailyVista, an online business publication. Through an in-depth interview with Brett Larrabee, the article focuses on Toppers’ new growth strategy of large market, multi-unit development. Brett focuses on Toppers’ buying experience and marketing machine which will be attractive to potential franchisees as well as its above average unit economics. Check out Daily Vista's article below:
Monday, November 1, 2010
Leading Tower of Pizza; Toppers Introduces The Tall Boy
Rapidly Growing Pizza Franchise Goes Vertical with the Unofficial Tallest Pizza in the WorldIn an ongoing battle to create an alternative to the uneducated big pizza chain’s bland menus, Toppers Pizza, the 28-unit eclectic pizza delivery franchise, has finally created “the pizza all other pizzas look up to.” Its name? The Tall Boy.
“The Tall Boy is a continuation of our taste domination and represents the best of our product offerings,” said Scott Iversen, Director of Marketing for Toppers Pizza. “Customers are constantly craving our Topperstix—then one day it suddenly occurred to us: Topperstix as the base of our pizzas.”
Since its invention, pizza has only gone in one direction—down. Until now. The Tall Boy puts other thick crust pizzas to shame, standing above the competition and combining the cheesy, garlicky, thick crust of Topperstix with any of its 50+ toppings or House Pizza ingredients.
“When we added the toppings, we noticed that this was a seriously tall pizza,” said Iversen. “It doesn’t dip down in the middle like other thick crust or pan fried pizzas do. It stays thick the whole way through. Naming it The Tall Boy was a no-brainer.”
The Tall Boy is the latest product launched under Toppers new “Spank Your Buds” tagline, a positioning statement that has become Toppers’ official platform for the kinds of ongoing marketing messages that give their fanatical fans the unique experience they’ve come to expect: fun, irreverent, and engaging, with some seriously great-tasting food.
“Our new tagline just reinforces what our fans have been telling us since our inception,” said Iversen. “Our food tastes better than the national guys, and now we’ve created a tagline that says that, Toppers-style.”
In 2009, the face of the pizza industry frowned, with industry-wide patterns of sluggish sales and stunted growth. Toppers Pizza, however, not only dodged the slowdown but actually increased their average unit volumes and system-wide sales with five new units and 18 new contracts. While the big chains go hungry, Toppers chows down on an ever-growing slice of the $40-plus-billlion pizza industry pie.
But how?
“The reason for our success is simple: we are not one of the ‘Wal-Marts’ of the industry. The big chains have lost identity and brand connection,” said Scott Gittrich, founder and CEO of Toppers Pizza. “Our customers, on the other hand, are fanatical about our brand. Our quirkiness and edginess have given us character, thus we’ve been able grow by forming strong bonds with an untapped national demographic – the 18-34-year olds.”
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