Happy Joe's vs Oberweis Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Oberweis Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$579,000 - $1,699,410
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%-
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 1972-
Year Franchised 1973-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Oberweis Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Oberweis Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Oberweis Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support 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 Regional Advertising Social media 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

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Oberweis Franchise
    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 Oberweis

    Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Stores are the retail concept of Oberweis Dairy®, offering superpremium ice cream - scoops, sundaes, shakes and more - as well as the very best farm fresh milk in glass bottles, ice cream and other dairy items to our loyal customers who love our products! We are different from other ice cream shops because of the unique packaged retail products that we offer. Our milk is fresh, packaged in returnable glass bottles, and farmer-certified artificial hormone (rBGH) free - our products are outstanding and delicious, too! Our franchise company, Oberweis Franchise Systems, LLC., was developed to bring our outstanding products and high quality service to customers in partnership with entrepreneurs who want to be a part of our success while enjoying the results of their own hard work. The first Oberweis store was created in 1951 by the people who have been operating Oberweis Dairy for the last 75 years and who are some of the most highly respected leaders in the industry. We are currently seeking individuals to join our franchise system - outstanding people with the desire and commitment to build a new business. If you're the "Cream of the Crop", we would like to speak with you!