Toppers Pizza Honors Top Franchisees at 2024 National Convention

Brian Albrecht, Rush Award winner

Fast-growing pizza concept gathered team from around the country for three days of learning, networking and celebration

Whitewater, WI (RestaurantNews.com) Toppers Pizza held its 2024 National Convention in Green Bay, Wisconsin from June 10 – 12 with an enthusiastic crowd of franchise owners, General Managers, store employees and executives. The event focused on recognizing top performers, providing valuable education sessions and fostering connections among attendees.

Making, baking, and taking quality pizza to the customer fast is one of the brand’s competitive advantages. This concept is what led to a Toppers Convention fan favorite: The Rush Competition. Rush contestants must make one Large Handtossed Pepperoni, one Large Handtossed Toppers Classic, and one Triple Order of Topperstix. The person who does this in the fastest time – while made up to the brand’s standards – wins. This year’s Rush Award winner – presented to the fastest pizza maker – was Brian Albrecht, a supervisor with PJD Investments. The investment company owns Toppers franchises in La Crosse and Onalaska, Wisconsin, and Winona, Minnesota. This is Albrecht’s second win. He won the award two years ago, and was runner-up in last year’s competition.

PJD Investments, owned by Phil and Denise Downing, took home the Franchisee of the Year Award and Nathaniel Stolpa won Manager of the Year for the restaurant he runs in Sheboygan, Wisc., owned by J&R Ventures LLC.

Phil and Denise Downing, PJD Investments, Franchisee of the Year Award
Nathaniel Stolpa, Manager of the Year

“As our brand expands across the country, our annual convention gets bigger and more impactful,” said Vice President of Operations Matt Martin. “While we are extremely proud of all our franchisees and team members who work with us, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on exemplary award winners like Brian, Phil, Denise and Nathaniel. Their tireless work and dedication are what makes Toppers such an amazing brand.”

Headquartered in Wisconsin, Toppers Pizza is known for its fresh, handmade and customizable pizzas baked in about 360 seconds and delivered extremely fast, with more than a million combinations of fresh, high-quality toppings. The brand recently introduced a limited-time carryout deal in which guests can get a large House or Three-Topping Pizza for just $9.99.

For more information on Toppers franchising or to order online for delivery or pickup, please visit Toppers.com.

About Toppers Pizza

Founded in 1991 as an alternative to big-box pizza, Toppers is built on a bold attitude with the product to back it up. Headquartered in Whitewater, Wis., 70+ Toppers locations are on a mission to redefine what customers should expect from QSR pizza. The menu features unique flavors, bold recipes, crave-worthy Topperstix, signature wings, specialty desserts and a growing selection of offerings for a diverse lifestyle. By consistently giving customers what they want, Toppers has forged an untapped space in the pizza industry and is thriving in a digital-first, post-pandemic world. World-class technology ranking among the top QSR pizza concepts, consistent menu innovation, a powerfully focused digital media strategy and Gen Z-centric social media channels drive 75%+ of sales online for the brand. With franchisees achieving a $1,100,000+ average unit volume across the entire system, Toppers Pizza is primed for major growth and is looking for like-minded franchisees to join its system. For more information, visit Toppers.com/franchise and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact:
Jay Brasher
Champion
806-437-9583
jbrasher@championmgt.com