Virginia's First Toppers Pizza Opens In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A pizza chain started in Wisconsin has begun expanding to the East Coast, and Alexandria is the first stop on its list. The Toppers shop at 3827 Mount Vernon Avenue opened this week and will hold a grand opening Saturday, Dec. 2.

The pizza shop is giving away free food for a year coupons to the first 50 customers. For this reason, the restaurant anticipates customers will camp out, says Jim Ferdenzi, director of operations at Triangle Restaurant Management, which operates Toppers.

"It's amazing how many people will camp out for free pizza for a year," Ferdenzi told Patch.

Just as the name suggests, Toppers is known for its "Topperstix" and eccentric toppings, such as macaroni and cheese and tater tots. The restaurant's focus is on the pizza takeout essentials: pizza, breadsticks, wings, desserts and drinks. It can also boast fresh dough made in-store—and of course Wisconsin cheese.

Ferdenzi says the shop intends to become a flagship location and a place for employees to advance their career opportunities. The shop has been giving away pizzas to rec centers, needy children and other community causes.

"We just want to be a fixture in the community. We want to help the community and be the employer of choice," Ferdenzi says. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The Alexandria location is the first of a new 22-unit deal in Virginia, part of Toppers long-term plans to have 1,000 stores. The next location is set to open at 6776 Richmond Hwy Suite 16 at the end of January. The group is scouting locations around Northern Virginia. Some of the possibilities could include Falls Church, Herndon and Woodbridge. Today, Toppers has 86 stores.

The new Alexandria shop is open 10 a.m.-3 a.m. seven days a week. See more information on Toppers' website.

Image courtesy Jim Ferdenzi