1851

Over the last six years, the fast casual pizza segment has seen explosive growth, led by LeBron James-backed Blaze Pizza. In fact, in 2015, three of the five fastest growing restaurant chains in the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrentristano/2016/04/06/the-continued-rise-of-fast-casual-pizza/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=while-fast-casual-pizza-concepts-falter-toppers-pizza-flourishes-2703515#3bcb908a246e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurants Report</a> were fast casual pizza brands. But recently, the growth of this red-hot industry has reduced to a sizzle.

According to a <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/22/is-the-fast-casual-pizza-fad-officially-over.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=while-fast-casual-pizza-concepts-falter-toppers-pizza-flourishes-2703515" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">story called &ldquo;Is Fast-Casual Pizza Dead?&rdquo; in the Motley Fool,</a> &ldquo;...the larger trend [of fast casual pizza] seems to have run its course, and we may see more than a few fall by the wayside. Fast-casual pizza might not be dead, but like cheese stuck to the top of a pizza box, the niche no longer looks very appetizing.&rdquo;

With Pie Five, one fast casual pizza&rsquo;s early standouts, reporting a decline in sales earlier this year, this could mean the beginning of the end. However, as the fast casual pizza industry simmers, Toppers Pizza is hitting its stride, with its 80th unit set to open this year and a strategic plan to hit 200 units by 2022 announced at the brand&rsquo;s annual conference in June.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been in business since 1991 and while we&rsquo;ve evolved and improved in many ways over the years, Toppers Pizza is still the same brand focused on serving hot and delicious pizza and Topperstix to our loyal and hungry customers -- fast,&rdquo; said Scott Iversen, Vice President of Marketing for Toppers Pizza. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not a flash-in-the-pan brand. We&rsquo;re a proven concept that has grown steadily by partnering with the right franchisees in the right markets at the right pace.&rdquo;

The fast casual pizza segment can&rsquo;t say the same. The segment&rsquo;s rapid growth has inflated franchisee expectations due to over-hyped and exaggerated AUVs during the sales process. But with Toppers Pizza, what you see is what you get - and what you get is a 25 year-old brand that has captured the loyalty of its target audience and proven that strategic and steady growth is the name of the game. Plus, compelling AUVs, territory availability, a cult-like fan base and an unbeatable brand culture make Toppers Pizza a standout in the pizza segment.

Fast casual brands like Pie Five are in a downturn, with 15.8 percent decrease in same store sales in the second quarter of 2017,<a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2017/3/22/15021582/pie-five-pizza-closing-chicago-suburbs?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=while-fast-casual-pizza-concepts-falter-toppers-pizza-flourishes-2703515" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> in addition to closing stores in Illinois, Minneapolis and Colorado</a>.

&ldquo;The presence of the fast casual brands has only enhanced Toppers&rsquo; growth because they&rsquo;ve helped to educate the world on the importance of quality toppings and customization,&rdquo; said Scott Iversen, vice president of marketing for Toppers Pizza. &ldquo;Unfortunately for them, they&rsquo;re playing in a space that targets a lunch crowd, but the majority of the pizza business is done at dinner time. Plus, fast casual pizza brands often focus on the toppings -- and we&rsquo;ve been doing that for 25 years -- and doing it better.&rdquo;

Toppers Pizza <a href="https://topperspizza.1851franchise.com/details/5874/Toppers-Pizza-Introduces-New-Straight-Up-Pricing?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=while-fast-casual-pizza-concepts-falter-toppers-pizza-flourishes-2703515" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">recently launched Straight Up Pricing</a>, which allows pizza fanatics to order as many toppings as they want for one flat price. Later this year, Toppers Pizza will unveil its new store prototype that features a show kitchen - a true mark of transparency and a nod to what makes fast casual pizza appealing to its millennial target audience.

&ldquo;To win the pizza wars, brands have to be focused on giving customers exactly what they want -- bold flavors, transparency and the option to customize their food exactly how they want it,&rdquo; said Mark Cairns, director of franchise development for Toppers Pizza. &ldquo;At Toppers, we&rsquo;ve taken some of the elements of fast casual that resonate with customers and implemented them in our stores. Though other brands continue to pop up and try to steal a piece of the pie, the pizza delivery segment has remained the shiny darling -- and we&rsquo;re not going anywhere.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

While Fast Casual Pizza Concepts Falter, Toppers Pizza Flourishes

1851 Franchise

Nation’s leading better pizza franchise proves that slow and steady growth wins


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

while-fast-casual-pizza-concepts-falter-toppers-pizza-flourishes

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

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

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

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

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

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

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

HTeaO Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-hteaos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

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

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

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

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

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

While Fast Casual Pizza Concepts Falter, Toppers Pizza Flourishes

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS