---
title: "Toppers Pizza Partners with 13-Unit Jimmy John's Franchisee for Seven-Location Deal"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/b3bf5225-fce5-435c-8a85-f0b80cb65501
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20231027_toppers_pizza_partners_with_13unit_jimmy_john39s_franchisee_for_sevenlocati.html
category: "Pizza"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Pizza"
published: 2023-10-27T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T20:03:27.969Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568901346375-23c9450c58cd?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Toppers Pizza Partners with 13-Unit Jimmy John's Franchisee for Seven-Location Deal

**TL;DR:** Toppers Pizza has partnered with a 13-unit Jimmy John's franchisee to open seven locations in the Greenville, Raleigh-Durham, and Chapel Hill areas. The franchisee, Corbett Harris, was drawn to Toppers' flavor-packed menu offerings, technological innovation, and values.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2023-10-27. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20231027_toppers_pizza_partners_with_13unit_jimmy_john39s_franchisee_for_sevenlocati.html).*

## Story

Harris is a passionate entrepreneur who originally signed on to open two Toppers locations, but quickly expanded his growth plan to five units during the discovery process, driven by the highly personalized and collaborative experience he had with Toppers’ team.

“Corbett has been a perfect fit for us when it comes to Toppers’ culture, brand ideology, vision and growth trajectory,” said Toppers’ Vice President of Development Mac Malchow, who worked closely with Harris throughout development. “He sees the potential of the pizza segment, understands the urgency of securing high-quality territories and is a prime example of embracing Toppers’ full growth opportunities. We’re thrilled to welcome such a savvy operator into the Toppers family.”

Already an established and successful multi-unit franchise owner at only 35 years old, Harris opened his first Jimmy John’s in 2015 and grew his investment in the concept with plans to continue growing his operation and portfolio in the coming years. In 2021, Harris began exploring new concepts to diversify his portfolio, including everything from coffee shops to taco restaurants. Having personally enjoyed working at a pizzeria in his youth, he opened his search to innovative pizza concepts.

He quickly identified Toppers as a brand that could play a critical role in helping him achieve his goals. In his final decision, Harris cited the concept's flavor-packed menu offerings, technological innovation, values and dedication to its franchisees as key factors.

" I wanted to build my future with a brand that aligned with my personal ideology. Although this is my business, this is truly a business for God, and I strongly believe our morals, values and vision are shown through ministry through the work place,” said Harris.

Harris also noted that he is excited to bring Toppers’ bold flavors to his home state.

“Compared to much of the country, the Southeast currently lacks many options for quality pizza, so I’m thrilled to introduce my fellow North Carolinians to Toppers’ famous ‘Za’ with our handmade dough and 100% Wisconsin cheese - at great Toppers prices,” said Harris.

A graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., Harris' commitment to people and his community is evident in his desire to give his employees greater opportunities. Employee funds and employee of the month are standards at his company, but the team constantly looks for opportunities to go above-and-beyond for the staff. His company has been known to gift bicycles to employees, provide corporate chaplains for employees in need and other incentives.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- multi-unit development (topic)
- territory expansion (topic)
- Toppers Pizza (company)
- franchise partnership (topic)
- Jimmy John's (company)
- Mac Malchow (person)
- pizza segment (topic)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20231027_toppers_pizza_partners_with_13unit_jimmy_john39s_franchisee_for_sevenlocati.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/b3bf5225-fce5-435c-8a85-f0b80cb65501).