Toppers Pizza To Open On Richmond Highway In The New Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A pizza chain started in Wisconsin has begun expanding to the East Coast, and Alexandria is the first stop on its list. Toppers opened a shop at 3827 Mount Vernon Avenue this week and will open a second at 6776 Richmond Hwy Suite 16 in late January.

During the pizza shop's grand opening Saturday, Dec. 2, it will give 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. The same promotion will happen at the Richmond Highway store opening.

"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 Toppers intends to become involved in the community and help employees to advance their career opportunities.

"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 locations are the first of a new 22-unit deal in Virginia, part of Toppers long-term plans to have 1,000 stores. The group is scouting locations around Northern Virginia. Some of the possibilities could include Falls Church, Herndon and Woodbridge. Today, Toppers has 86 stores.

A specific opening date has not yet been announced for the Richmond Highway location. The Mount Vernon Avenue shop is now open 10 a.m.-3 a.m. seven days a week. See more information on Topper's website.

Image courtesy Jim Ferdenzi