1851

Jordan DeCaro was always fond of taking trips from his home in Duluth, Minnesota to Minneapolis. And there was one tradition that he looked forward to more than any other- stopping at <a href="https://toppersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=toppers-pizza-ready-to-make-dough-in-duluth-2704854" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toppers Pizza</a>.

&ldquo;Going to Toppers in Minneapolis was a huge tradition for me,&rdquo; said DeCaro. &ldquo;Whenever I was there, I just had to get it. I always craved it, it was unique and contagious.&rdquo;

So with that craving in mind and already looking forward to his next investment idea, DeCaro, only 24 years old, decided it was time to bring <a href="https://topperspizza.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=toppers-pizza-ready-to-make-dough-in-duluth-2704854" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toppers Pizza</a> to Duluth. With six years of experience in real estate, DeCaro felt comfortable with the business side of the plan, but decided to turn to his friend and former client Jon Matko for his own depth of experience in the restaurant industry.

&ldquo;Jon went to Le Cordon Blue in San Francisco and more recently served as head chef at the Hearthstone Caf&eacute;,&rdquo; said DeCaro. &ldquo;He brings an incredible level of restaurant experience to our partnership, and he shares my same excitement and passion for the brand.&rdquo;

DeCaro and Matko (42) may be young, but they are convinced their experience and knowledge of their home market in Duluth will translate to big things. In fact, the pair has already signed on to bring three Toppers stores to the area.

&ldquo;Our initial plan is to open the first two locations here in Duluth with the third coming right after in Superior, Wisconsin,&rdquo; said Matko. &ldquo;Duluth has a diverse and unique demographic, we know Toppers is going to be a great fit.&rdquo;

The first location is already set for 1231 East Ninth Street in Duluth, just down the road from the University of Minnesota Duluth, with an opening date likely in March of 2018. DeCaro and Matko are already in talks for the second Duluth location, and then expect it to be another 12-18 months for their spot in Superior.

&ldquo;We are still in the early stages of our first three stores,&rdquo; said Matko. &ldquo;But already we are thinking ahead to 7-8 locations when it is all said and done.&rdquo;

That aggressive growth plan makes sense when you consider the recent success of Toppers Pizza. The Whitewater, Wisconsin-based brand is on pace to open 16 new restaurants in 2017, with 20 more expected for 2018 as the company works towards a goal of 200 units by the year 2020.

It was that boldness and passion from the Toppers leadership team that eventually convinced DeCaro and Matko the opportunity was the right one for them, despite some initial hesitation.

&ldquo;It took me six weeks to decide it was right for me, and on the long drive from Duluth to Whitewater I still was not 100%,&rdquo; said DeCaro. &ldquo;But as soon as I sat down with Founder and President Scott Gittrich at that discovery day and saw the incredible environment and level of support, I was sold.&rdquo;

Though they are still early in the process of setting up their first three locations in the Duluth area, Matko and DeCaro already have a clear sense of what they need to do to be successful.

Said DeCaro, &ldquo;We just want to have fun and kick butt.&rdquo;

Toppers Pizza Ready to Make Dough in Duluth

1851 Franchise

The Wisconsin-based pizza franchise prepares to enter the market with a young and hungry duo

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

toppers-pizza-ready-to-make-dough-in-duluth

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchise - Franchisee Spotlight - Jessica and Bobby Montoya - 1851 Franchise

Former Orangetheory Regional Manager and Licensed Counselor, Grow KidStrong Franchise, Empowering Youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico

kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya

Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

Wild Bill's Franchise - Top 10 Reasons To Invest - 1851 Franchise

The Top 10 Reasons To Invest in Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.

wild-bills-franchise-10-reasons-to-invest

KidStrong Franchising - Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career - 1851

Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

kidstrong-franchise-michael-reyes

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise - Target Market Raleigh/Durham - 1851 Franchise

Opportunity Is Served: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Seeks to Expand Into Raleigh-Durham with Local Franchise Partners

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-expansion-raleigh-durham

Mosquito Squad Plus

Buzz-Free Growth: How Mosquito Squad Helps Franchisees Scale Faster with a Royalty-Free First Year

buzz-free-growth-how-mosquito-squad-helps-franchisees-scale-faster-with-a-royalty-free-first-year

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

How goGLOW Turned Clean Beauty Into a Scalable Franchise and Why It’s Accelerating Now

goglow-clean-beauty-tanning-franchise

Shoot 360 Aims for the Topgolf Model, Using Elite Basketball Tech to Appeal to Players '7 to 70'

shoot-360-franchise-growth-tech-basketball-brad-butterworth

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

Toppers Pizza Ready to Make Dough in Duluth

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS