Happy Joe's

Pizza restaurant and ice cream parlor

Lawrence Joseph Whitty had worked in the bakery business for years before becoming an assistant manager at a Shakey's pizzeria. He decided to combine his baking skills with the experience he had gained from working at a pizza restaurant, where he would often hear families decide to go out for ice cream for dessert. Combining pizza and ice cream, Whitty opened the first Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor in East Davenport, Iowa, in 1972. His signature item was the Happy Joe's Special, a pizza with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut that Whitty created from leftovers in his mother's kitchen. After a franchisee suggested adding tacos to the menu, Whitty created the restaurant's best-selling product, the Taco Pizza.

Please Note: The operators of Happy Joe's, may not have verified the accuracy of the Franchise information contained within this website. For accurate up-to-date information, customers are strongly recommended to visit the official Happy Joe's website.

Start-up Costs & Franchises Fees

How much does it cost to open a Happy Joe's Franchises?

Total Investment: $79,700-$1,100,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $20,000-$25,000
Royalty Fee: 4.5%
Advertising Fee:
Term of Agreement: 15 years
Renewal Fee: 10% of fee or $2K

How to contact Happy Joe's

Happy Joe's
2705 Happy Joe Dr.
Bettendorf, IA
52722

Phone: (563)332-8811
Fax: (563)332-5822

Website: Visit Website

Happy Joe's News

Happy Joe's Energized Family Fun Caféz Experience Comes To Madison
Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream, announced today it signed an agreement with mother/son team Cathy Gantz and Tim Gantz to open five new Happy Joe's Caféz locations in Madison, WI. Established in 1972, Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream is a chain of family fun casual restaurants known througho... more

Happy Joe's, A Pizza Chain That Delivers Breakfast?
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, a sleeping giant of family quick casual restaurants for more than 30 years, is attracting renewed interest since unveiling its new prototype, “Happy Joe’s Caféz,” featuring new design elements, family fun centers, party rooms and an extended menu th... more
View all Happy Joe's Press Releases

Franchise History

When did the first Happy Joe's open? 1972
When did Happy Joe's start Franchising? 1973

Year U.S.A. Canada International Corporate

2005 58 0 0 7

2004 58 0 0 7

2003 56 0 0 7

2002 58 0 0 7

2001 58 0 0 7

Expansion Plans

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming,

International:

Financing Options

Expense In-House Third Party

Franchise Fee No Yes

Startup Costs No Yes

Equipment No Yes

Inventory No Yes

Accounts Receivable No Yes

Payroll No Yes

Training & Support

Support
Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations

Marketing
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising

Business Operations

33% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 45
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Qualifications & Business Experience

Business Experience:

General business experience

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