Happy Joe's vs Donatos Pizzeria Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Happy Joe's vs Donatos Pizzeria including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$24,470 - $1,030,625 | $386,500 - $698,900 |
Franchise Fee |
$15,000 - $17,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4.5%-5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
1.5% | 5% |
Year Founded |
1972 | 1963 |
Year Franchised |
1973 | 1991 |
Term Of Agreement |
15 years | - |
Term Of Agreement |
15 years | - |
Renewal Fee |
10% of fee or $2K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
General business experience | - |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Equipment |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Inventory |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Receivables |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Payroll |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
Training |
On-The-Job Training: 300 hours
Classroom Training: 40 hours
|
On-The-Job Training: 454 hours
Classroom Training: 4 hours
|
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
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
Regional Advertising
Social media
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
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 |
US Expansion |
Yes | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | - |
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 Donatos Pizzeria
BE A PART OF A PIZZA BUSINESS THAT'S ON THE RISE.
With $1,300 in his pocket and a dream to own his own business, Jim Grote bought a small pizzeria on the south side of Columbus, Ohio and went to work to create a business that was truly unique. Although Donatos has grown and moved into almost 200 neighborhoods, our belief remains the same: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
You are responsible for:
* Leasehold improvements
* Leasing or purchasing equipment
* Hiring and restaurant operation
Donatos provides:
* Product formulas and operational systems
* Store design guidance
* Equipment ordering guidance
* Edge-u-cation training
* Cultural orientation
* Operations manual
* Periodic evaluations
* Ongoing support
Additional information and qualifications:
Single-Store and Multi-Unit Development Agreements are available depending upon prospective Franchise Partner qualifications as well as geographical considerations.
Prospective Franchise Partner groups need to designate an Operating Partner who must live in the area to be developed and possess prior restaurant or retail management and supervision experience commensurate with the number of restaurants to be developed. An Operating Partner may also be a member of the Franchise Group.
A full Franchise Application, including a Personal Financial Statement, needs to be submitted for each member of the Franchise Partner group. If the Operating Partner is a separate individual, they will need to submit a full resume with work history and skill-set qualifications.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Donatos
franchised business is $386,500 to $698,900. This includes $40,500 to
$42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. If this is
the second Donatos franchised business, you choose to receive
additional training services or you hire a Donatos Manager for your
franchised business, you must pay the franchisor an additional $15,000
to $40,000.
The company continues to franchise throughout the Midwest, South and
Southeast, with franchised locations serving pizza, subs, salads and
desserts.
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#181 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#313 in Franchise 500 for 2021.