Happy Joe's vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%5%
Advertising Fee 1.5%1.5%
Year Founded 19722009
Year Franchised 19732012
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

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

    Financing Options

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
    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 Site Selection 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 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)

    50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


    Expansion Plans

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 sweetFrog

    Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

    #23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)