Bruggeman Drives the Pizza Franchise’s Growth, Operator Support and Unit Economics
Ian Bruggeman has been appointed chief financial officer of Toppers Pizza. He oversees the pizza franchise’s finance, supply chain and human resources functions while serving as a strategic partner to CEO Adam Oldenburg. Bruggeman has a diverse background that spans consulting, asset management and operational leadership in the restaurant sector. He most recently held roles in financial planning and analysis, franchise development and operations with Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill.
For his next career step, Bruggeman said he was seeking new opportunities with a company that had moved beyond the startup phase but still offered room for growth and impact, and Toppers fit that description. “I connected with Adam about the opportunity, and we talked about both the challenges and the potential that Toppers and the broader pizza space are facing right now. After a lot of conversations, trying the product and learning more about the brand, it felt like a great fit — a chance to take the next step in my career while having a real influence on the company’s future.”
Bruggeman said the position with Toppers enables him to utilize his finance background and operational experience — both as a Naf Naf franchisee and as a corporate director of operations — along with his exposure to marketing and franchise development. “My foundation is in financial planning and analysis and problem-solving through a data-driven lens, but having worked across so many verticals gives me a perspective that goes beyond just the numbers.”
Equation for Franchise Success
Bruggeman said that while finance will always be part of the equation, the growth of the pizza franchise will ultimately be driven by the success of its corporate and franchise locations. “Finance’s role is to get the blocking and tackling right, but also to partner closely with operations and marketing to identify what’s working, what’s not and where we can be more efficient or impactful. The guest experience inside the four walls of each store is what determines long-term growth.”
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bruggeman and fiancée, Shelby, are planning a personal milestone: their upcoming wedding. The couple has two dogs and they enjoy travel, including trips over the past few years to Brazil, Argentina, Croatia, France and Spain.
About Toppers Pizza
Toppers was founded in 1991 as an alternative to big-box pizza. Headquartered in Whitewater, Wis., the pizza brand has grown to more than 70 locations across the country. Its menu features signature wings, specialty desserts and a growing selection of offerings for a diverse lifestyle.
