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Pizza chain eyeing Dayton for expansion
Scott Gittrich hopes his second experience with Dayton is more rewarding than the first.
In 1991, Gittrich — founder and CEO of the Whitewater, Wisconsin-based Toppers Pizza, a mostly-delivery pizza chain that targets the 18-to-34 age group demographic — was offered the opportunity to become the franchise owner of a couple of Domino’s pizza shops, the large pizza chain for which he was working in Charlotte, N.C. Gittrich researched the offer, but didn’t like what he found about what were then a pair of low-volume, struggling stores.
“It wasn’t anything about Dayton, but it just didn’t fit with my own entrepreneurial spirit,” Gittrich said. “I’d prefer to do my own thing rather than try to reverse the fortunes of an existing franchise.”
So he went out and “did his own thing” by launching a brand new pizza venture that has spread to 26 locations in five states. Now, Toppers is poised to open its first Ohio pizza store in June on Calhoun Street adjacent to the University of Cincinnati, and is looking to expand to the Dayton market, Gittrich said. A spokeswoman for Toppers said the company would like to develop as many as 12 locations in the Dayton area.
Ohio is “a great population center,” the CEO said, and fertile ground for pizza restaurants, despite the large number of existing pizza chains in the market. Toppers officials have analyzed the Dayton area “to see what the competitive landscape is and how many stores fit into the market,” Gittrich said.
“We’ve done the advance work, and we’re ready to have serious conversations” with potential franchisees,” the CEO said. The Cincinnati franchisee has expressed an interest in expanding to Dayton, he said.
“We hope to open a store in Dayton in the next year and a half or so,” the Toppers CEO said. Finding a location near the University of Dayton would be preferable. “More often than not, we target university areas first,” Gittrich said, noting that Toppers stay open as late as 3 a.m. to cater to campus tastes. “It’s a no-brainer.”
Toppers sells pizza, grinders, Buffalo wings and a signature product called Topperstix, a sort of cross between cheesy bread and French Bread Pizza with various toppings. Specialty pizzas include the Potato Topper, Mac & Cheese and the “Hangover Helper,” which is topped by Canadian bacon, bacon bits, potatoes, green peppers and onions.
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By guides in St.Petersburg
December 8, 2010 3:13 PM | Link to this
POI e realmente um Programa maravilhoso ver o desfile de 20 de setembro em Piratini. Em 2007 eu Fui pela primeira Vez assisti-lo e fiquei emocionada, e um desfile Lindo feito com muito por um daqueles gauchos Cada alma la que vivem. Vale a Pena.
By daria
April 2, 2010 9:43 AM | Link to this
My favorite pizza is Cassano’s. I love the salty crust. Next would be Dewey’s, who I actually just really enjoy their salads…so delicious. Donatos is pretty good too. The worst pizza is Marion’s. I’m 31 and lived in Dayton my whole life. I cringe when people talk about how good marions is. The environment sucks. I feel like I’m in a yellow cigarette stained plastic fish bowl cafeteria. The meat looks like dog food. The little wooded salad bowls are gross. Unfortunately, I think it will go the way of the wind. My generation doesn’t care about your reputation…you have to keep up with US!
By WD
April 1, 2010 3:03 PM | Link to this
There’s a new pizza place at the edge of Kettering and Centerville - Jet’s Pizza… it’s fantastic!
By pat kelly
March 31, 2010 12:35 PM | Link to this
nyc sounds like a typical grouchy apple core jabonie! Why would I go way up to crappy NYC, for a slice of pizza?? Nuts! Marion”s, Milano’s, and half a dozen other Dayton area pizzerias will satisfy 90% of peoples taste buds! I love Dayton! Keep your funky NYC! Lol
By Mary
March 31, 2010 11:20 AM | Link to this
Marian’s is the best for me. I always get extra sauce. I love the tangy taste. I remember YEARS ago around 26 to be exact Cassano’s had the BEST! The crust was light & airy. You’d always fight over the air bubble piece with your sibling! Now it’s crap! They’ve changed the sauce. They used to have good sauce. I’ll actually mail order pizza from Lou Malnati’s in Chicago. That pizza’s good enough to pay the price for it. I’ve actually started making pizza at home & experimenting. I’ve come up with some pretty good pizza! It beats paying money for crap!
By Anthony
March 31, 2010 7:21 AM | Link to this
Cadillac Jacks has great pizza! Cheap too! Saturday and Sunday special and happy hour pizzas. We love it!
By who care
March 31, 2010 2:33 AM | Link to this
Everyone has their favorite pizza. Has anyone tried Jets in Kettering. It is awsome. We all have different pizzas all the time. Maybe Marco,Marions,Giovannies, or where ever the good deals are,that is where we all eat.
By shunko
March 30, 2010 11:56 PM | Link to this
SDS is the only pizza worth eating in Oxford!
By misterunknown
March 30, 2010 11:05 PM | Link to this
Gem,you wouldn’t know good Pizza if it hit you in the face.I’ve had Joe’s Pizza,and it is by far the worst Pizza I’ve ever had.Little Ceasar’s can’t be beat!
By gem
March 30, 2010 9:41 PM | Link to this
Little Ceasars sucks. Marco’s is by far the best I have ever eaten. Shaddocks in Middletown is great also.
By Dasha
March 30, 2010 9:14 PM | Link to this
It took me a while to discover Troni’s on E. Dorothy Lane, but they have the best pizza I’ve ever had in Dayton.
By Gunch
March 30, 2010 5:44 PM | Link to this
Flying Pizza! Closest thing to New York in the area.
By chett
March 30, 2010 3:58 PM | Link to this
here are a few that most overlook…..classic pizza in huber, hoagies pizza in northridge and my personal favorite clara’s pizza king in richmond indiana
By windy city
March 30, 2010 3:26 PM | Link to this
The pizza in NYC is over-rated. Chicago style pan pizza however is WORLD FAMOUS! It’s a meal not some thin wimpy crust.
By Shane
March 30, 2010 2:56 PM | Link to this
I think Joe’s on airway rd is pretty awesome.
By Aimee P
March 30, 2010 12:39 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Springboro and remember the good old days when we had a Godfather’s. Hands down, the BEST pizza I have ever eaten! As for local pizza, I can’t believe no one has mentioned Pizza Factory! I lived and worked by UD for several years and Pizza Factory was the best local pizza. Every time I get up to the Dayton area, I want to stop in but always seem to be running short on time.
By wyzzer
March 30, 2010 12:33 PM | Link to this
How can one have a conversation about pizza in the Dayton area without mentioning Giovanni’s in Fairborn? It is, hands down, the best pizza in the area! If only they’d deliver….. =)
By Yardbird
March 30, 2010 9:11 AM | Link to this
Locally-A Ron’s Deluxe Pizza on Main St. Miamisburg is my favorite. Nationally-I like Chicago Pizza anyday over New York any day. (Gino’s East) Original Uno’s and Girodonos (sp).
By noll
March 30, 2010 8:58 AM | Link to this
Yes, Nathan Explosion! I visit a Mellow mushroom in Florida and it’s great. And Chicago pizza>New York pizza. Anyone with taste buds knows that. You want local, try the sicilian at Palermo’s.
By bob
March 29, 2010 10:17 PM | Link to this
As a former wisconsinite, Topper’s pizza, topper sticks were typical late night stops. The pizza is ok but more importantly very fast at the wee hours of the morning. Was the second most popular place on the UW campus at bartime
By Lifer
March 29, 2010 10:01 PM | Link to this
Marion’s USED to be the best……..USED to be…….. They have rested on their reputation like many businesses tend to do. They need get back to the way it used to be, or they will be gone. They do not have the crowds or waits like they used to. I like Milano’s, pretty good pie there! For cheap quick pizza, Little Ceasar’s ain’t too bad, ready to go and 5 bicks a pop, hard to beat. Their bread sticks are continually raw though in HH. I will give this guys eatery a shot.
By soldier
March 29, 2010 8:37 PM | Link to this
I have been stationed in new york for about 6yrs i am from dayton greatest city ever but besides that had a lot of nyc pizza and i have to say i dont know what the hype is its good but not great i aint had a bad pizza yet from dayton either
By deeman
March 29, 2010 7:49 PM | Link to this
Dons in Germantown is the only pizza you will ever want after you try them.
By angel
March 29, 2010 7:38 PM | Link to this
all of you all are seriously mislead if you think marious (gross) and all the other pizza joints are good then none of you all have tried godfathers pizza or larosa’s pizza. those 2 are the best hands down but if you want the best delivery pizza donatos is number 1
By Former Dayton Guy
March 29, 2010 7:30 PM | Link to this
nyc - I was waiting for you to post. Every time the subject of pizza comes up, you bad mouth Dayton. For me - I enjoy coming back to Dayton to visit family and partake of Marions Piazza
By TYGO
March 29, 2010 7:24 PM | Link to this
Marions? Marions? You have got to be kidding me. I couldn’t agree more than with the comment that it’s “blender pizza.” Absoulutely horrible and totally tasteless. Marion Glass sold this idiot city on tasteless, ground up crap. Marions my butt.
By nyc
March 29, 2010 6:25 PM | Link to this
these new-fangled chains continue to come to dayton because they know pizza in dayton is terrible…ya gotta go to nyc for a real pizza!!!!
By Tacy
March 29, 2010 5:13 PM | Link to this
Have you tried the new designer pizzas at Buckeroo”s? I like the spam and snickers combo calzone best!
By Smokin Steve
March 29, 2010 5:12 PM | Link to this
The only memory I have of Marions is gagging on cigarette smoke while trying to eat pizza. The restaurants, especially the one near Patterson road, still reek, and who wants to eat food in that atmosphere.
By spanky
March 29, 2010 5:08 PM | Link to this
The secret of Riverside……Joes Pizza hands down the best Pizza in the area….yes and it is RIVERSIDE not Dayton
By David
March 29, 2010 5:03 PM | Link to this
Marion’s is a tradition. It’s the face of Dayton food in my opinion. People are welcome to disagree. I just can’t imagine saying Cousin Vinny’s and Ci-Ci’s are better than Marion’s. Vinny’s is fine for a late night craving since they are open till 4am. Their cheesy bread is good though. I used to like Marco’s but my place of employment orders it all the time and has burnt everyone out on. Ci-Ci’s is only good for their cheap pasta and cinnamon rolls.
By Michael
March 29, 2010 4:52 PM | Link to this
As Daytonian’s we should give ourselves some credit, especially when it comes to local restaurants that get it right. For me Marion’s is the best pizza I’ve had in my life. I appreciate some may differ with me on this, but I love Marion’s pizza. I also enjoy the ambiance of a Marion’s restaurant. Somehow they effortlessly capture what’s still fun about Dayton, like spending time with family and friends in an unpretentious atmosphere. I never get that feeling when I’m in one of the national pizza chain locations. If yet another Pizza franchise wants to enter the Dayton market, so be it. But Marion’s is going to be a tough act to follow.
By Dan
March 29, 2010 4:51 PM | Link to this
I can answer the reason for Cassano’s salty crust. I worked at the Cassano’s Family Pub on Salem Ave. back in the late 1970’s. Even back then the pizza preparer would salt down the table before the pie dough was put down. This was done so the pie would not stick to the table or the pie board when it was moved to the oven. I remember asking the manager why they used salt instead of flour. He said since the dough started coming in pre-made from the warehouse, they didn’t keep big bags of flour at the restaurant any more, but they did still had large containers of salt for cooking with. I didn’t like the salty crust back then and still don’t to this day.
By Doc
March 29, 2010 4:12 PM | Link to this
For those with high blood pressure and others that complain of Cassano’s being too salty, you’re right. I bytched about it once. They salt their crust. Do like me and ask for no or low salt crust. They’ll do whatever you want. Cassano’s IS Pizza King…
By Ashley
March 29, 2010 4:09 PM | Link to this
Marian’s Tuna and Sausage pizza is the best ever!
By pizza lover
March 29, 2010 4:06 PM | Link to this
I’m suprised noone has mentioned Spinoza’s in the Fairfield Commons Mall. It is GREAT. They have many different kinds of pizza, offer wheat crust and a great atmosphere!!!
By Lola
March 29, 2010 3:54 PM | Link to this
I like Dewey’s pizza. Marion’s is horrible and expensive. Cassano’s is SALTY and gross. The other options around here are either plain or too greasy. If this place likes to try unusual pizzas then I would look forward to trying them out. I remember Ci-Ci’s had a mac and cheese and it was good because it was different. IMHO.
By rm NO Not the Miamisburg One
March 29, 2010 3:35 PM | Link to this
Marion’s Pizza is way over rated. Milano’s or even Marco’s is better, plus for the $5 deal you get at Little Caesars, you can’t go wrong if you are a college student. I give the guy does has big B-Alls to open a Pizza Joint in this wonderful Economy Recvery we are having. I for one will try the Toppers near UC next trip down to Cincinnati.
By misterunknown
March 29, 2010 3:30 PM | Link to this
You are all wrong!Little Ceasar’s is the best pizza around!The rest can’t even compare to Little Ceasar’s.
By null
March 29, 2010 3:28 PM | Link to this
Marions the best ? You’ve gotta be kidding. I call Marions “blender pizza”…with all ingredients (except pepperoni) chopped to a soup. The BEST pizza comes from Papa Murphy’s. They make it the way you want it. You take it home and bake it. Heavier on ingredients than any other pizza and less money, too. You just can’t beat it !
By Homemade
March 29, 2010 3:09 PM | Link to this
The best Pizza in Dayton comes from my Weber grill. Where is NYC? He usually pipes in with his “for REAL Pizza ya gotta go to Brooklyn” horse hocky
By JKirkwood
March 29, 2010 3:08 PM | Link to this
Hey Doc, Cassano’s might as well be a salt lick. Its awful.
By Nathan Explosion
March 29, 2010 3:05 PM | Link to this
Dayton needs the Mellow Mushroom.
By Nik
March 29, 2010 3:04 PM | Link to this
took a look at Toppers.com… NOT interested. the crust looks gross, and a Mac and Cheese pizza? leave well enough alone. no potatoes either, thanks. that said… here’s to the entrepreneurial spirit! I hope he succeeds.
By null
March 29, 2010 2:51 PM | Link to this
Marion’s is the most overrated pizza in Ohio. Why waste your money on a stale franchise when you can offer something new? But, then, this is an area that thinks Skyline is the best.
By Michael
March 29, 2010 2:41 PM | Link to this
I agree with B-Rad, “Nothing can beat Marion’s Pizza.” You would be better off trying to secure a franchise with them!
By watchman
March 29, 2010 2:34 PM | Link to this
hey toppers! ever heard of market research? obviously not or you wouldn’t be thinking you stand a chance in the dayton market.
By Matt
March 29, 2010 2:31 PM | Link to this
Be careful. Dayton is a pretty competitive market when it comes to Pizza.
By Doc
March 29, 2010 2:31 PM | Link to this
“It won’t last a year. Nothing can beat Marions Pizza!!” Except: Cassano’s, Joe’s, Cousin Vinny’s, Donnato’s, Pappa John’s, Pizza Hut, ANY box mix…
By bubby
March 29, 2010 2:19 PM | Link to this
cousin vinneys is the BEST i wish they would open more stores maybe one in centervile and riverside and springboro. Best piza around!!!!!!!
By B-rad
March 29, 2010 1:58 PM | Link to this
It won’t last a year. Nothing can beat Marions Pizza!!
By B'wana
March 29, 2010 1:13 PM | Link to this
How does a pizza joint “target” 18-34 y/o’s? By opening close to campus?
By Aaron
March 29, 2010 12:53 PM | Link to this
They really think there is a market for pizza at UD? Brown Street already has a pizza by the slice place (Pie Pizzeria), and two late night delivery places for students (Dominos and Cousin Vinny’s). What market are they seeing? If anything Brown Street needs a better diversity of options.
By Pizza
March 29, 2010 12:39 PM | Link to this
Too…many…pizza…places! As someone in the business, it looks like sugar and spice when people talk about opening shops, I have lost managers in my district from it (wanting to open their own store). They always come back cause it is such a tough market to be in.
By kenneth candler
March 29, 2010 12:39 PM | Link to this
this sounds like a good idea but could someone please bring godfathers pizza back to this area other than the 1 that opens after 5 pm where you have to wait 2-3 hours for a pizza. please help
By Der Kaiser
March 29, 2010 12:34 PM | Link to this
I just checked out their pricing, and if they are going to be competing for the 18-35 market they are going to have to reconsider what they charge. For the price of 1 pizza you can have an entire meal from Cousin Vinny’s including you drinks and bread sticks. Just saying. :)
By Sal
March 29, 2010 12:28 PM | Link to this
There are only so many pizza dollars to go around. Good luck isn such a competitive market.
By Rob
March 29, 2010 11:33 AM | Link to this
Swing the bat…ain’t nothing gonna happen unless you take a chance. Congrats on having more guts than I. Good luck!