Bill Stayduhar started out as a pizza driver with Domino’s Pizza in 1984 while attending Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. During that time, he mastered the ins and outs of the pizza industry and in 1993, coupled his experience with entrepreneurship and opened his first Domino’s franchise in Pittsburgh.
“I love the fast-paced vibe of the pizza industry. Back when I was a delivery driver in college, I loved the rush of it all – from the quick process of crafting a pizza to handing it to the customer at their doorstep,” says Stayduhar.
Stayduhar first met Toppers Pizza Founder & President Scott Gittrich back in 1989 when the two crossed paths in Charlotte. They stayed in touch over the years and when Stayduhar was looking to move back to the Charlotte area, Toppers Pizza offered an unmatched growth opportunity and a fresh concept that sparked his interest. In 1997, Stayduhar traveled to Toppers Pizza’s corporate headquarters to meet with Gittrich and learn more about the Midwest-based chain.
“I love the distinct recipes and house pizzas Toppers offers its customers; it’s different than anything else in the pizza category. When I visited corporate, I was blown away by the quality and the unique model Toppers has created and decided to open up my first Toppers later that year,” says Stayduhar.
Stayduhar took a leap and sold his Domino’s franchise, moved to Fort Mill, South Carolina and opened his first Toppers in Charlotte in September 1997. A second location followed in October 1998. In February 2002, he opened a Toppers on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where it’s grown to be an active part of the campus community, regularly participating in charitable partnerships and fundraisers with organizations.
“I’ve been in business now for more than 20 years and Charlotte residents and students love the food and the unique recipes on our menu. Over the years, I’ve developed so many great relationships with my customers and my employees. I have several team members who have been with me for more than a decade and are fanatical about the Toppers brand,” says Stayduhar. “My assistant manager has been with me for 15 years and still, to this day, if he has to take deliveries, he’s running in and out of the store because he’s truly passionate about Toppers and our team.”
Looking past his 20th anniversary milestone with the brand, Stayduhar is focused on his two locations and growing his customer base across the Charlotte market.
“With the team I have in place, I’m focused on serving up great pizza to the people of Charlotte in 2018 and hope to make it a record-breaking year,” says Stayduhar.