1851

What do Scott Gittrich, Wayne Byers and countless other <a href="https://www.toppers.com/Menu/Pizza?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-industry-veteran-wayne-byers-continues-to-spread-toppers-pizzas-mission-throughout-north-carolina-10090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toppers Pizza</a> executives and franchisees have in common? They&rsquo;re all pivotal in helping <a href="http://topperspizza.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-industry-veteran-wayne-byers-continues-to-spread-toppers-pizzas-mission-throughout-north-carolina-10090" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toppers Pizza</a> redefine and dominate the competitive pizza industry. And all of them used to work for Domino&rsquo;s&mdash;arguably one of the biggest brands that Toppers is contending against as they fight their way to the top.

In 1984, Gittrich delivered his very first pizza as a driver for Domino&rsquo;s. That job was the beginning of a lifelong love affair, and from that moment on, he knew he was destined to one day own his own pizza business. As Gittrich worked his way up the Domino&rsquo;s ranks, he started saving as much money as any 20-something could. Then, with $30,000 in tow, he walked to a bank, applied for a loan and took a deep breath. His long-time dream had culminated into this single moment. Gittrich took a chance, and he left behind his job as director of operations for Domino&rsquo;s (where he managed 22 franchise locations) to open his first Toppers in Champaign, Illinois.

&ldquo;The founding vision of Toppers was to be the quality pizza delivery place. We would make our dough from scratch, use great ingredients and make funky combinations of pizzas using unique toppings. We wanted to be the antithesis of Domino&rsquo;s, while still delivering just as fast&mdash;if not faster&mdash;as the corporate joints making cheap, homogenous pizza,&rdquo; Gittrich said.

Gittrich&rsquo;s journey has paved the way for many more Toppers leaders in the years to follow. Upon graduating college, Byers became a Domino&rsquo;s store manager, with his sights set on one day owning a franchise. After successfully working his way to partner of a 55-store Domino&rsquo;s franchise, he left the brand behind to pursue a fresh, new concept that offered him greater development potential. That&rsquo;s when he read about Toppers in a pizza industry publication. To Byers, this emerging and exciting brand represented the ultimate opportunity&mdash;a growing company with a unique take on traditional menu items.

Upon signing with Toppers, Byers made it a priority to bring these exclusive Toppers favorites to the Chapel Hill, North Carolina community. Toppers was the first delivery brand to capture the cheesy-bread marketplace with its famous Topperstix. The brand never shied away from innovation either. With unconventional toppings like French fried onions, tater tots, pulled pork and Mac &lsquo;N Cheese, Byers&rsquo; decision to leave behind his 55 Domino&rsquo;s store to start from scratch with Toppers was an easy one.

Today, he owns two stores, and he recently partnered with another franchisee to open three additional stores in the Raleigh, North Carolina area&mdash;two of which are already under construction. And in the years ahead, Byers hasn&rsquo;t ruled out future development. In fact, due to his strong belief in Toppers&rsquo; potential, he sees himself eventually spreading even more locations throughout the state of North Carolina.

&ldquo;Many established pizza companies have reached maturity&mdash;it&rsquo;ll be hard for them to ever change. I wanted to experience professional growth with an emerging brand. Toppers has carved its own path in the crowded marketplace, and I&rsquo;m proud to be a part of it,&rdquo; Byers said. &ldquo;I believe that one day, Toppers will become a true national brand.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Pizza Industry Veteran Wayne Byers Continues to Spread Toppers Pizza’s Mission Throughout North Carolina

1851 Franchise

Armed with a storied history in the pizza industry, Wayne Byers continues to disrupt the way people think about pizza by bringing more stores to North Carolina. 


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

pizza-industry-veteran-wayne-byers-continues-to-spread-toppers-pizzas-mission-throughout-north-carolina

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

paris-baguettes-recipe-for-expansion-leadership-community-and-a-vision-for-1000-cafes-by-2030

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

heart-and-purpose-couple-launch-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-in-northern-arizona

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 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

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchise Financial Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence | Qvinci

Franchise Financial Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence | Qvinci — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-financial-reporting-analytics-and-business-intelligence-qvinci-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Clarify Your Positioning – The “Why You/Why Now”

the-ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises-how-to-clarify-your-positioning-the-why-youwhy-now

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Pizza Industry Veteran Wayne Byers Continues to Spread Toppers Pizza’s Mission Throughout North Carolina

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS