Toppers Pizza (American restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1991 in Champaign, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Scott Gittrich |
| Headquarters | Whitewater , United States |
Area served | Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin |
Key people | Scott Gittrich (founder) |
| Products | Pizza |
| Website | topperspizza |
Toppers Pizza is an American pizza franchise that was established in 1991 by Scott Gittrich in Champaign, Illinois. Its inaugural outlet opened in 1993 located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, which continues to serve as the company’s headquarters. The brand expanded its franchise model with the first franchised store debuting in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1997.
History
With more than 70 outlets, Toppers Pizza serves various states such as Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. The chain primarily appeals to college students and individuals aged between 18 and 34, operating late into the night—often until 3:00 a.m. or beyond—to meet the demands of this demographic. In 2017, all locations within Illinois were shut down as part of a company-wide restructuring process.
Scott Gittrich initiated his journey in the pizza industry working as a delivery driver for Domino’s while attending college. He later progressed to become director of operations overseeing 22 franchise locations before founding Toppers Pizza. During the late 1990s, the company settled trademark disputes regarding its name; "Toppers" is now a registered trademark that highlights the brand’s emphasis on a variety of pizza toppings.
Reception
In 2013, Toppers Pizza earned recognition as one of the Nation's Restaurant News 50 Breakout Chains. It was also listed among the top 500 franchises in the U.S. by Entrepreneur magazine and ranked #58 on Pizza Today's compilation of the top 100 pizza companies.