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TOPPERS 7/24/08 10:04 AM Page 74

toppers pizza

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In addition to traditional pizzas, Toppers Pizza is known for launching unique spins on pizza, including the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Mac and Cheese Pizza and the “BL Frickin’ T.”

A Unique Slice
Despite its growing sales, Toppers Pizza keeps its head on its shoulders and
focuses on providing the best products made from scratch. By Fernie Tiflis

W
hile its big-name competitors are geared to attract- Naturally Fun
ing families, Whitewater, Wis.-based Toppers Pizza Toppers makes 5,200 pizzas a day at its
targets college students. Chains such as Domino’s, 20 locations across the Midwest. It is
Papa John’s, Pizza Hut and Little Caesars dominate adding 10 more stores this year, opening
the pizza industry, but Toppers President Scott several locations near college campuses
Gittrich says the 17-year-old company is less than intimidated. in Iowa City, Iowa; Champaign, Ill.; East
“[The large chains] really are often referred to as the Wal-Mart of the Lansing, Mich.; West Lafayette, Ind.; and
pizza business,” Gittrich states. “Even though people spend money on their the Milwaukee metro area. Toppers’ com-
businesses, [customers] don’t get excited anymore. petition, Gittrich notes, is homogenized.
company profile Toppers stores have fanatics – we have that brand loy- “Their products are all very similar in
Toppers Pizza alty.” For example, Toppers’ Whitewater and Madison pricing and they all market to families,” he
www.toppers.com locations delivered “some ridiculous amount of bread- says. “Our marketing is more fun, we con-
Proj. 2008 revenue: $18.5 million
Headquarters: Whitewater, Wis. sticks” at a wedding, Gittrich adds. “The [bride and nect to our customers on a personal and
Employees: 500 groom] wanted to give these breadsticks to their emotional level. We’re open until 3 a.m. to
Specialty: Pizza
Scott Gittrich, president: “Just guests before they leave,” he recalls. 4 a.m., seven days a week.”
because we’re a hot franchise con- In addition, Toppers also created a Myspace pizza Gittrich also credits Toppers’ popular-
cept, we shouldn’t let our heads
get the best of us.” page two years ago, and within a week, the company ity to its unusual menu. Only 30 percent
attracted 1,200 Myspace friends. of its sales come from traditional items

74 food and drink • fall 2008 • www.fooddrink-magazine.com

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