Happy Joe's vs Pizza Hut Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Pizza Hut Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$40,600 - $2,063,500
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%6%
Advertising Fee 1.5%4.25%
Year Founded 19721957
Year Franchised 19731959
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Pizza Hut Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Pizza Hut Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Pizza Hut Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 8-12 weeks
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Loyalty program/app
    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)

    		-

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

    Company Overviews

    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.


    About Pizza Hut

    While college students in Wichita, Kansas, Frank and Dan Carney were approached by a family friend with the idea of opening a pizza parlor. Inspired, the brothers borrowed $600 from their mother, purchased secondhand equipment, and rented a small building on a busy intersection in their hometown. With that, the first Pizza Hut opened its doors in 1958. More than 40 years later, Pizza Hut has locations throughout the world serving its specialty pizzas. Pizza Hut is owned by Yum! Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and formerly Long John Silver's and A&W Restaurants.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation ranges from $40,600 to $168,230 for a Pizza Hut Mini Kitchen; $109,700 to $179,230 for a Pizza Hut Kiosk; $99,200 to $199,230 for a Pizza Hut Retail Counter; $109,700 to $420,900 for a Pizza Hut Retail Counter with Seating; $241,550 to $472,000 for a Pizza Hut Full Kitchen with Seating (in each case, not including real property or signage), including $6,000 to $17,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    "Top  ""   "Entrepreneur

    #28 in Canada's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #78 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #10 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #59 in Franchise 500 for 2021.