1851

Certain categories in the restaurant industry have struggled in 2017, with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/too-many-restaurants-sparks-industry-slump-2017-5?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-remains-a-standout-in-the-restaurant-industry-as-other-segments-falter-2704593" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bloomberg reporting earlier in the year</a> that same-store sales fell by more than 1 percent across the chain restaurant industry. However, one segment of the restaurant industry continues to see success where others are faltering: pizza. In fact, according to research firm Technomic&rsquo;s 2016 Pizza Consumer Trend Report, pizza consumption was actually higher in 2016 than at any other point over the last four years.

Mike McLaughlin, franchisee with <a href="https://toppersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-remains-a-standout-in-the-restaurant-industry-as-other-segments-falter-2704593" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toppers Pizza</a> in Virginia, knows a thing or two about the pizza segment, having spent more than 20 years of his career with Domino&rsquo;s and Papa John&rsquo;s before making the transition to Five Guys for the past 12 years. McLaughlin says that the draw of pizza is still there, and that is why he decided to make his return to the pizza business now with Toppers.

&ldquo;The pizza segment is so strong still, and it was time to diversify and get involved with another brand,&rdquo; said McLaughlin. &ldquo;When I made the decision to get back into pizza, I looked around for a few years. When I looked at Toppers and what they are doing with innovation in technology, online ordering and the quality of the product, I knew it was the right choice.&rdquo;

McLaughlin also says that the ability that national pizza players, including <a href="https://topperspizza.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-remains-a-standout-in-the-restaurant-industry-as-other-segments-falter-2704593" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toppers</a>, have to offer compelling deals and great pricing is a big factor in why pizza is still succeeding.

&ldquo;Food cost pressures aren&rsquo;t as much of an issue in the pizza business as in other restaurant segments,&rdquo; said McLaughlin. &ldquo;For example, the chicken market is all over the place and causes chicken-focused places to have instability. We aren&rsquo;t at the mercy of food price changes as much in the pizza industry - cheese prices are fairly stable.&rdquo;

Kendall Richmond, Chief Financial Officer for Toppers Pizza, agrees that providing proper value and embracing technology will keep Toppers in front of the competition, even as the entire restaurant industry continues to evolve quickly.

&ldquo;We are in a period now of complete disruption,&rdquo; said Richmond. &ldquo;Third party delivery is entering our segment. Overall there is lots of economic uncertainty. Minimum wage is going up and making things tougher.&rdquo;

To combat these challenges, Toppers is focusing heavily on technology and making it as easy as possible for customers to order their product how they want it and when they want it.

&ldquo;Friction makes you lose that customer, patience is going down,&rdquo; said Richmond. &ldquo;So that technology component, along with our pricing strategy of not nickel and diming the customer, is really paying off.&rdquo;

Richmond refers to Toppers&rsquo; Straight-Up Pricing, where any pizza of more than two toppings costs the same, allowing guests a high level of customization while keeping the value element in place.

Both McLaughlin and Richmond agree: times are tough for restaurants, but pizza is still a strong player, as long as a brand focuses on giving customers what they want and evolving ahead of the marketplace.

&ldquo;This downturn in restaurants is not a natural ebb and flow,&rdquo; said Richmond. &ldquo;You have to have a great value equation for the customer, and if not you are going to miss. We have to deliver on our brand promise.&rdquo;

And for McLaughlin, Toppers Pizza is doing just that: delivering a great product, technology package, and value proposition for customers and franchise partners alike.

Said McLaughlin, &ldquo;I really enjoyed the product and I saw the tools we have at our disposal to compete with anyone in the pizza industry. Pizza is here to stay, and so is Toppers.&rdquo;

Pizza Remains a Standout in the Restaurant industry as Other Segments Falter

1851 Franchise

Members of the Toppers Pizza team discuss why pizza is holding strong and what Toppers Pizza is doing to stay ahead of the competition

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-remains-a-standout-in-the-restaurant-industry-as-other-segments-falter

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

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

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

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

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Pizza Remains a Standout in the Restaurant industry as Other Segments Falter

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS