1851

<a href="https://www.toppers.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toppers Pizza</a>, the pizza franchise with nearly 70 corporate- and franchise-owned locations in 12 states, was founded with a focus on fast, tech-driven pizza delivery and customer service. In addition to satisfying customers, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/topperspizza">Toppers</a>’ advanced technology also creates a best-in-class experience for franchisees through a strong IT department and a proprietary POS and e-commerce platform.Now, as the pandemic continues to create major <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/exclusives/whos-growing-during-coronavirus-crisis-pizza-chains?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">demand</a> for tech-powered convenience in the pizza delivery segment, the brand is continuing to appeal to qualified franchisee prospects thanks to its well-positioned concept, innovative business model and exceptional support.<h4>How the Toppers IT Team Stands Out in the Industry</h4>The largest department on <a href="https://toppers.com/franchise/culture?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toppers’ robust corporate team</a> — which is already much larger than most brands its size — is the IT and technology department. With eight developers on staff, the team’s size allows it to quickly adjust to all of the ever-changing wants and needs of customers as technology continues to evolve within the pizza category.For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, Toppers franchise owners had the ability to quickly update their POS by adding streamlined, curbside pickup options to accommodate guests and promote safety. The team also added the ability for customers to tip drivers online so they could further avoid any contact. These technological pivots would not have been possible without access to an in-house IT team. Thanks to these advancements, <a href="https://biztimes.com/toppers-pizza-seizes-pandemic-environment-as-growth-opportunity/?bypass=5febbf8060ce0&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">73% to 78%</a> of Toppers’ sales have come through digital channels over the past several months.“Most businesses would need to ask a third-party company to create curbside pick-up, which would take six to nine months, but with us, we were able to pivot to curbside in less than three weeks,” said Toppers Pizza VP of Information Technology <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyjellis?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tony Ellis</a>. “We knew exactly what our franchisees, team members and customers wanted — they wanted contactless delivery, curbside pick-up and online tipping. Thanks to our expert team, we were able to pivot and accelerate innovation very quickly. I can’t think of another pizza chain our size that could successfully roll out curbside pick-up in three weeks.”&nbsp;To ensure Toppers franchisees are able to take advantage of this technology, they have 24/7 access to the IT team. “All franchisee questions can be answered immediately, whether it be advanced troubleshooting or building new features and functionalities based on a specific request,” said Ellis.&nbsp;“When the COVID-19 shutdowns happened, every restaurant in our city became a delivery business which means they also became competitors,” said Denise Downing, owner of three Toppers locations in Wisconsin. “Being able to stand out against our new competitors was huge, and having this technology and ability to pivot as fast as we did propelled us to align more with the larger pizza chains.”<h4>The Benefits of Toppers’ First-Party Delivery Platform&nbsp;</h4>Ellis says one of the IT team’s primary initiatives over the past year was getting all franchisees set up on the brand’s proprietary POS system and e-commerce platform.Toppers’ proprietary e-commerce platform allows franchisees to leverage a <a href="https://www.toppers.com/order-setup/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">first-party delivery</a> system, available through each owner’s POS system. This means franchisees save a significant amount of money on the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/warning-restaurant-owners-third-party-delivery-services-are-taking-over-2710756">notoriously expensive fees</a> associated with the usual third-party delivery providers. The direct delivery platform also ensures Toppers franchise owners can exhibit more quality control and communication with the customer. For example, customers are able to track their order in real time.Now, as the quick-service pizza sector <a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_focus/pizza-franchises-innovate-as-pandemic-drives-sales-surge/article_d3be9a58-452f-11eb-896b-5761ac2ad5e7.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">booms</a> due to a shift towards off-premise dining, Toppers is in a prime position to appeal to this demand without suffering from the many drawbacks of exclusively using third-party delivery apps.As made evident during the pandemic, the proprietary platform also allows the IT team to adapt the software on the fly, which is a major differentiator for franchisees. “Our POS and e-commerce platforms are both proprietary — we own them, build them and can innovate to keep up with the times,” said Ellis. “By keeping delivery in-house, the Toppers internal IT team is able to adapt the e-commerce platform in any way necessary. With this, our biggest advantage is our speed to market. We can very quickly draft a feature and get it out to the community, whether it be the ability to tip online, remember addresses or document past orders. Competitors don’t have that strategic advantage.”&nbsp;Downing echoed these same thoughts. “Our team members have put a lot on the line the past year. They were putting their health and safety at risk and we wanted to offer an option that would keep them safe, and also make them feel appreciated. Toppers was able to quickly implement contactless delivery and online tipping so our team members could continue to work and make money.”&nbsp;<h4>How Toppers Is Perfectly Positioned for the Future of Pizza and Tech</h4>As the competitive pizza delivery landscape continues to evolve, Ellis says very few brands are in as strong a position as Toppers.&nbsp;“Pizza definitely leads the pack in the restaurant industry when it comes to using technology, and we are in an interesting position because we are not a huge behemoth nor a small mom-and-pop brand,” said Ellis. “This means we are both nimble and advanced for our size. So many pizza brands our size want to do something but can’t because there is a tech-limiting factor. Our robust IT team and proprietary systems allow us to eliminate that factor as a hindrance to business and franchise growth.”This competitive advantage is why Toppers’ same-store sales increases are up <a href="https://1851franchise.com/topperspizza/toppers-pizza-sees-same-store-sales-increase-20-to-30-as-pizza-delivery-booms-due-to-the-pandemic-2715420">20% to 30% on a weekly basis</a>, and the brand has opened four stores over a period of the last six months. The level of franchisee inquiries Toppers is receiving is also as high as it has been in five years.&nbsp;“Right now, whether it be in the pizza segment or beyond, the e-commerce industry is all about making a service as fast and easy as possible, both for the consumer and the provider, and those have been our core principles at Toppers since day one,” said Ellis. “Looking ahead, we are excited to continue prioritizing innovative features for our customers and tech-powered functionality for our franchise owners.”The <a href="https://toppers.com/franchise/Economics?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">investment range</a> for a Toppers Pizza franchise is $314,075 to $530,000, with the initial fees coming in at $10,000 to $30,000. For more information on franchising with Toppers Pizza, visit: <a href="https://www.toppers.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=pizza-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees-2715895" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.toppers.com/franchise/.</a>

Pizza & IT: How Toppers Thrived During the Pandemic by Combining Fast-Delivered Pizza for Consumers and Technology Support for Franchisees

1851 Franchise

With a larger-than-average IT team and a proprietary first-party delivery system, the tech-powered pizza franchise has continued to see double-digit sales increase as consumers demand convenient and fast service.

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-it-how-toppers-thrived-during-the-pandemic-by-combining-fast-delivered-pizza-for-consumers-and-technology-support-for-franchisees

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

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

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

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pizza & IT: How Toppers Thrived During the Pandemic by Combining Fast-Delivered Pizza for Consumers and Technology Support for Franchisees

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS