Jo to Go vs Happy Joe's Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Jo to Go vs Happy Joe's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Jo to Go Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Investment $82,500 - $786,000$24,470 - $1,030,625
Franchise Fee $25,000$15,000 - $17,000
Royalty Fee 7%4.5%-5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19981972
Year Franchised 20011973
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Renewal Fee -10% of fee or $2K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Jo to Go Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Jo to Go Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Jo to Go Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    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)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Jo to Go Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Jo to Go

    It's the People That Make the Support Superior - The people at the Jo To Go Coffee - Franchise Support Center offices are all committed to supporting and growing our franchise system. They are dedicated and willing people that were found using the same hiring system we share with our franchisee partners.Jo To Go Coffee offers robust support from a collection of bright and talented professionals across marketing & advertising, real estate, graphic design, accounting, operations, training and franchise sales. Getting answers and assistance, even from the officers of the company, is only a phone call, email or a visit away. We look forward to meeting and serving you!

    About Happy Joe's

    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.

    Seeking new franchisees in the following regions/states:

     Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin

    The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Full Size Restaurant or Happy Joe’s PizzaGrille Restaurant is $279,750 to $1,030,625. This includes $0 to $16,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s DELCO Facility is $164,500 to $423,000. This includes the $0 to $16,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Satellite ranges from $24,470 to $132,340. This includes the $0 to $16,500 paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Area Developer business ranges from $17,625 to $94,100. This includes the development fee ranging from $15,000 to $45,000 that must be paid to the franchisor.