How to Keep Your Toppings Fresh, Safe, and Ready to Sell More Pizza
A well-organized toppings table is the heart of a great pizza program—and when your ingredients are fresh, your setup is clean, and your team knows what to prep (and when), you’ll cut waste, speed up service, and sell more pizza.
Keeping your pizza program running smoothly means more than just making delicious pies. Behind every great pizza is a well-stocked, clean, and properly managed toppings prep table. When your ingredients are fresh, organized, and easy to use, you’ll cut down on waste, speed up prep, and serve consistent quality every time.
In this post, we’ll walk through simple best practices for topping storage, food safety, daily setup, and more—plus a few extra tips to keep your pizzas looking (and tasting) their best.
Keep It Clean and Food-Safe
Your toppings prep table is a food contact surface, and that means it must stay clean and safe all day long.
Here’s how:
- Wipe down your table and tools between shifts or anytime toppings are swapped.
- Use clean, food-grade containers and rotate ingredients regularly using the FIFO method (First In, First Out).
- Label toppings with the date and time they were prepped so you know what’s fresh.
- Keep cold toppings cold (below 41°F) and hot items hot (above 135°F) as needed.
A clean station isn’t just for food safety—it also helps your team work faster and more efficiently.
How to Apply Toppings Like a Pro
Following the right technique ensures even flavor, consistent appearance, and a pizza that keeps customers coming back. Here’s a quick topping checklist based on Hunt Brothers® Pizza best practices:
- Start from the outside edge of the pizza. Sprinkle toppings back and forth, covering the whole surface.
- Spread toppings all the way to the edge. A pizza that looks full and well-made is more likely to sell.
- Sprinkle Just Rite Spice™ on every pizza. It’s a flavor boost that keeps customers coming back for more.
- Mist Plain Cheese, Double Cheese, and Breakfast Pizzas. Evenly spray the top with water to help toppings cook evenly and stay moist.
- Mist ALL Thin Crust Pizzas. Use 16 total mists—four on each side of the crust—to keep it from drying out in the oven.
- Leave space in the oven. When cooking multiple pizzas, leave at least one inch between them to allow hot air to circulate properly.
These small steps make a big difference in the final product—and help your pizzas look great in the warmer.
Use the Build-To Chart to Cut Waste and Boost Sales
One of the best ways to keep your table stocked with the right toppings at the right time is by using the Build-To Chart. This tool helps you plan which pizzas to make (and when), based on actual customer demand.
Here’s how to use it:
- Print one Build-To Chart for each day of the week. (Protect them in sleeves and use dry erase markers!)
- Plan ahead for each hour. Write down what types of pizza to cook and how many based on time of day.
- Track your Hunk® sales and waste. Note which pizzas sell fast and which sit in the warmer too long. Adjust your plan accordingly.
- Listen to your customers. Ask regulars what toppings or crusts they want to see more often.
Using the Build-To Chart means your toppings table is always prepped for the right pizzas at the right times—reducing overuse, cutting waste, and keeping customers happy with fresh, hot hunks.
Tips for Training Your Team on Toppings
The best way to maintain consistency is to train every team member on proper topping technique.
Here are a few ways to keep everyone on the same page:
- Refer to the toppings chart near the prep table for quick reference.
- Use real-time coaching during prep—correct actions as needed and explain why it matters.
- Set up quality checks throughout the day to ensure toppings are being used correctly.
- Let new team members shadow a more experienced prepper. Watching the process helps build confidence and accuracy.
When every team member knows how to prep and top pizzas correctly, your shop runs smoother, and your product stays consistent.
Reduce Waste, Maximize Profit
When your toppings are managed correctly, you’ll minimize spoilage, reduce over-prepping, and increase your margins.
Here’s how to build that mindset into your routine:
- Keep backups stocked, but not overloaded. Use what you need for the daypart and refresh as needed.
- Watch portion sizes. Over-topping wastes product and can affect cooking quality. Follow the topping guide for every pie.
- Check your inventory daily. Rotate toppings, use what’s oldest first, and clean out containers that are getting low or have been sitting too long.
- Sample smart. Let your customers try new toppings or specialty builds—but make sure the samples are made fresh and handled properly.
A toppings table that’s clean, organized, and well-managed is your secret weapon for consistency, speed, and profit.
Your Go-To Guide for Topping Success
Your toppings table might not be the flashiest part of your pizza program, but it’s one of the most important. Keeping it clean, following best practices, and prepping with purpose means:
- Better food safety
- Faster service
- Less waste
- Better looking (and better tasting) pizza.
And best of all, it makes it easier for your team to succeed.
Need help setting up your toppings table or using the Build-To Chart?
Your TBHC Delivers Account Manager is here to support you with training tools, signage, and smart strategies to help your pizza sales grow.
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TBHC Delivers
TBHC Delivers is the largest distributor of Hunt Brothers Pizza; we are our own business and brand. We own our trucks and follow, believe and deliver on all Hunt Brothers Pizza’s visions. TBHC Delivers builds upon the high-quality product of Hunt Brothers Pizza with value-add customer service like our 15-Point Promise.