News

Wisconsin star RB Taylor takes a turn as Toppers Pizza franchisee

Great on the field, great with a pie -- former University of Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor takes control at four Madison, Wisconsin Toppers franchises. (Photo provided).

April 23, 2020

Toppers Pizza has a new star among its franchisees, in the NCAA's sixth best all-time rusher, former University of Wisconsin Badgers running back, Jonathan Taylor, a news release said. 

As a franchisee and co-owner of four Madison, Wisconsin locations, the brand said Taylor has the credentials to operate a solid store team. In fact, he has previously been named in the top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting three times. He is also the recipient of the Doak Walker Award for the top running back in college football.

This past January, Taylor announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. As he looks ahead to the NFL, he's using the skills acquired as a standout athlete to operate the tetrad of Madison locations. 

"The biggest thing that drew me to the organization was how friendly and open they were, inviting me to the team," said Taylor in the release. "When you meet the Toppers home office team, you get a warm, welcoming feeling. It's like a family member that you see during the holidays that you can't wait to spend time with. That family atmosphere is going to help me stay connected to Madison."

Toppers is a quick-service pizza brand founded by its current president, Scott Gittrich and a team of experienced restaurant industry veterans and focused on the so-called "better pizza" category. The company said it plans to maintain corporate ownership of 25 percent of all locations while the brand expands.