Father-son duo expands Toppers Pizza in Minnesota

After opening two successful Toppers Pizza locations in Minnesota, father-and-son business partners Keith and Myron Allen are set to open their third restaurant together Dec. 6 in St. Cloud, 65 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The new location will open at 202 6th Avenue South, St. Cloud MN 56301. The Allens currently have two locations, both in Rochester, Minnesota, and signed on to develop the St. Cloud territory two years ago. The location, a few blocks away from the St. Cloud State University campus, is the first of two new locations opening in the city by the end of 2015. Keith and Myron started their careers with Toppers while Keith was in school at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. After becoming a fan of the brand, he saw there was a huge gap in the pizza industry in his hometown of Rochester, where there was a lack of establishments offering unique toppings and late-night delivery. Keith approached his father Myron, who was eager for a change after an extensive career as a manufacturing consultant. After paying the $30,000 franchise fee and beginning the development process, the two opened their first location in September 2012. “Toppers has been welcomed warmly in Rochester, and we’re really looking forward to bringing it to the St. Cloud area,” Keith Allen said. “We chose our location based on proximity, and we plan on integrating ourselves into the community and supporting school organizations through food drives and fundraisers.” While the father and son work side by side, with Keith acting as area supervisor, the endeavor is truly a franchising family affair; two of Myron’s nephews joined in the operation. Keith’s cousin Ben Allen acts as manager of one Rochester store, while his cousin Kirk Allen works behind the register and will soon move up to a managerial position. Myron’s son Kevin is also part of the operation, working behind the scenes. “Selling a franchise to families ensures that they are going to be very involved as long as you possibly can be — and we absolutely plan on it,” Keith Allen said. “We’re all very involved, and when buying in, the longer you can stay committed 100 percent, the better chance you have of succeeding.”