Franchisee Success: Toppers Pizza

To Jackie Apkarian, Chicago is a city second to none—that’s why she decided to bring Toppers Pizza to the heart of the Midwest metropolis with her first franchising venture.

After becoming acquainted with the brand through her daughter—who was a Toppers frequenter during her time as a pre-med student at Marquette Unviersity—Apkarian knew that she had found something special in Toppers’ zany and tasty slices.

“My daughter and her friends talked about how the pizza had really great toppings,” Aprkarian told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The discovery couldn’t have happened at a more fortuitous time for Apkarian. After owning other businesses in the construction and masonry field in the past, she decided that it was time to embark on a new business venture. Currently living in Shorewood, Wis., Apkarian felt that Chicago was the perfect site for her next pursuit.

The newest addition to the eclectic pizza delivery franchise brand, Apkarian embodies the immitable Toppers zest and passion for quality ‘za. Embracing the brand’s enthusiastic approach to pizza and commitment to quality, Apkarian is thrilled to become a part of the Toppers team.

While Apkarian might have just recently opened her first Toppers unit in the bustling Wicker Park neighborhood, she is already peering into the future, both short-term and long-term. Apkarian plans to open three total units in the near future; but for now, she’s setting her sights on catering to hungry football fans and becoming more engrained in the community.

Summers are so short in the Midwest, but we’re ready for football season,” she said. “That brings in lots of Toppers orders. Snow does, too, but that’s the last thing I want to think about in August!”

Planning to open three total units in the near future and then top out at six in the next decade or so, Apkarian is planning a robust takeover throughout Chicago. She has even begun reaching out to one of the most foundational group of community members in the city—teachers.

“We went to every single school in our delivery area and gave the main office a gift card and free delivery for a staff back-to-school lunch,” Apkarian said. “We know that teachers are one of the community’s greatest assets and we wanted to thank and honor them for all of their hard work with a free lunch. We want to give something back.”

With such steadfast commitment to her company and her city, it’s no surprise that Chicago is welcoming Apkarian and her Toppers store with open arms.