Ed Jun T.

Paclar HM 111 – Management of Food Service Operations

MSHM – I

CASE STUDY
(Topper’s Pizza)
I. Introduction

We all crave pizza anytime of the day. For Topper’s, their primary concern is to
be distinctive in providing pizza or shall we say making pizza available anytime at the
customer’s comfort. It is actually a good strategy in food service industry but the concept
is challenging and difficult to operate for new franchises and the unit level profitability is
not on the acceptable levels for the franchise community. There is also a reasonable
amount of waste and there are menu items that have a very high food cost. Hence the
company lacks a menu innovation or product development strategy.

II. Background

The company is a chain of pizza restaurants in the United States. It was founded
by Scott Gittrich in the year 1991 in Illinois. The first store it has established was in
Wisconsin. It was then opened for franchise and the first franchise was established in Eau
Claire, Wisconsin. Topper’s Pizza has spread over the United States and established 65
locations. The owner was once worked in a pizza company during his college years. He
then was promoted and became the director of operations for group of 22 franchise
locations. He then left the company to start his own pizza company.

Topper’s Pizza was known for its late night pizza delivery. They cater to people
who worked at night and ones who craved pizza anytime of the day. The company targets
college students between 18 to 34 years old. So they remained open until 3 in the
morning.

Until now, Topper’s Pizza develops its services and product offerings. Continuing
in promoting new products to catch the eyes of its target market.
III. Evaluation of the Case

 Focusing on new trends like food delivery is in nowadays. People have more
access to internet and gadgets, so more likely it will be a good strategy to
innovate more on this aspect.
 Product innovation is very vital in providing excellent services to customers.
Specifically, choosing the menu should always be think first.
 When a company is open for franchising, one should consider the
profitability, not just for the part of the franchiser but greatly for the
franchisee.

IV. Proposed Solution or Changes

Considering the new trends should undergo critical process. It will create an
impact to the business if a certain strategy is not criticized. We all know that a
strategy can be inefficient if not implemented and evaluated well. No matter how you
assess that it will create a boom, owners should see how it will be in the long run. If a
strategy is not useful anymore then develop a way to make it a strength not a
weakness.

In franchising, a business will eventually decline if the profitability of the

franchisee is not assured. Notice that the number one goal of businessmen is to gain
profit and if its insecure then expect that it will not be attractive. Like the other
franchise businesses that has created the boom effect, has seen the effectivity of
having a high level of profitability of both parties. This should be considered for both
to be initiated, compensated/profited, and eventually succeed.

V. Recommendations
 For franchising businesses like Topper’s Pizza, it is an ongoing method to
develop services and expand as much as it could. To create a boom effect is the
primary goal and it will be seen through the availability of its store in every city in the
world. Adjusting to the needs and wants of its target market and continuing product
innovations. The strategy in delivery is highly recommended but the company should
make a more enhanced strategy to this. They should have a research to go deep in all
its old customers and incomings. They should go beyond just knowing and learn.