1851

Looking to make some extra cash while at the University of Wisconsin &ndash; Whitewater, Andy Johnson joined the first-ever <a href="https://topperspizza.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=first-franchisees-andy-and-caro-johnson-expand-out-with-toppers-pizza-2705994" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toppers Pizza</a> team as a delivery driver. Andy, having worked in the pizza business since age 13, fast fell into his groove, earning the record of most pizzas delivered in a shift.

Scott Gittrich, president and founder of Toppers Pizza, was also enrolled at the University of Wisconsin &ndash; Whitewater and shared a few classes with Andy where the two quickly became well acquainted. Around the same time, Andy met his now-wife, Caro Johnson and the two did long distance for four years during college before getting married in 1996. When Andy graduated that year, Scott was ready to start franchising the concept and asked him to join the Toppers team.

&ldquo;Newly married and out of college, Andy and I saw a unique opportunity with Scott and Toppers and decided to take the plunge, opening our first location in Eau Claire the next year,&rdquo; said Toppers Pizza franchisee Caro Johnson. &ldquo;We were there at the restaurant every hour of the day that first year, and it was a truly a team, all hands-on deck mentality. Our delivery drivers would drop everything and take on multiple roles because they truly loved the Toppers brand and believed in the product we&rsquo;re serving up &ndash; and they still do.&rdquo;

For the Johnsons, their team members are number one. Each year, they organize a team activity like skiing or a short trip to spend time together as a crew and show that the success they&rsquo;ve found wouldn&rsquo;t be possible without the team they have in place. Caro says that this mentality extends throughout the Toppers system and starts with Scott.

&ldquo;When I first met Scott, I saw an individual who understood that there was personality, a connection with the customers missing in the pizza industry. What&rsquo;s so exciting about Toppers is that we understand that pizza is an American staple, and we&rsquo;ve created a unique way of connecting with our customers and team members because we don&rsquo;t take ourselves too seriously. I love the fact that Toppers is a refreshing force in the pizza industry. It&rsquo;s challenging customers to see that pizza can be innovative, unique and fun,&rdquo; says Caro.

Over the years, the Johnsons, embracing this mentality, have grown outward with the brand opening three other locations throughout Wisconsin. They&rsquo;re currently working to remodel one of their Eau Claire locations to expand the store in order to keep up with increasing orders. Looking ahead, the couple continues to build a strong foundation of team members, increase sales at their stores and represent the Toppers brand through community partnerships and quality service.

&quot;Andy and Caro Johnson embody the DNA of the Toppers brand. They took a big chance, opening their first Toppers location back when they were fresh out of college. Today they are the perfect example of high-performing, values-centric Toppers franchisees who own their market. If I had to pick the absolute worst place in the world for anyone to choose to open a pizza place, I would say next to Andy and Caro Johnson,&rdquo; said Gittrich. 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Toppers Pizza Franchisees Andy and Caro Johnson

First Franchisees Andy and Caro Johnson Expand Out with Toppers Pizza

1851 Franchise

Wisconsin-based franchisees continue to passionately represent the brand through exceptional service and strong commitment to a team mentality

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

first-franchisees-andy-and-caro-johnson-expand-out-with-toppers-pizza

Beansquad

Beyond the Books: BeanSquad’s Strategic Financial Guidance for Franchise Growth

beyond-the-books-beansquads-strategic-financial-guidance-for-franchise-growth

Jollibee

Executive Q&A: Beth Dela Cruz, President of JBM LLC, the franchisor of Jollibee in North America

executive-qa-beth-dela-cruz-president-of-jbm-llc-the-franchisor-of-jollibee-in-north-america

Top 5 Reasons Jollibee Is the Hottest Franchise Opportunity Right Now

top-5-reasons-jollibee-is-the-hottest-franchise-opportunity-right-now

Jollibee-Consumer-Positioning-Article-2025

Jollibee: Rising Star in Quick-Service Restaurants

jollibee-rising-star-in-quick-service-restaurants

Jollibee - Launch-Story-Franchise-Positioning-Article - 2025

Why Jollibee Is the $4.5 Million Average Goss Sales QSR Franchise Opportunity Entrepreneurs Can't Ignore in 2025

why-jollibee-is-the-45-million-average-goss-sales-qsr-franchise-opportunity-entrepreneurs-cant-ignore-in-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ed Holmes and Papa Murphy's logo

Thirty Years of Take ‘n’ Bake: Ed Holmes Reflects on a Lifetime With Papa Murphy’s

papa-murphys-franchise-ed-holmes-30-years

Franchisee Spotlight for Kyle Mccandless and Papa Murphy's Logo

How Kyle McCandless Is Expanding His Family’s Franchise Legacy With Papa Murphy’s

First Franchisees Andy and Caro Johnson Expand Out with Toppers Pizza

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS