Figaro's Pizza vs Happy Joe's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Figaro's Pizza Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Investment $86,500 - $549,000$24,470 - $1,030,625
Franchise Fee $39,000$15,000 - $17,000
Royalty Fee 5%4.5%-5%
Advertising Fee 3%1.5%
Year Founded 19811972
Year Franchised 19861973
Term Of Agreement 5 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years15 years
Renewal Fee -10% of fee or $2K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Figaro's Pizza Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Figaro's Pizza 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/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Figaro's Pizza Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 59 hours Classroom Training: 55 hours Additional Training: At headquarters & in the field On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website developmentCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 61% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 13

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (39% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    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

     
    Figaro's Pizza Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Figaro's Pizza

    Founded in 1981, Figaro's sells ready-to-eat as well as take-and-bake pizzas. Dick Bunge and partners purchased Figaro's in 1986, after seeing promise in the unique "We Bake or You Bake" concept. Franchisees may operate carry-out, dine-in or delivery store models.

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    #45 on Franchise Rankings.com

    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.