Happy Joe's vs LaRosa's Pizzeria Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Happy Joe's Franchise
LaRosa's Pizzeria Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$725,500 - $1,885,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%4%
Advertising Fee 1.5%4%
Year Founded 19721954
Year Franchised 19731967
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Happy Joe's Franchise
LaRosa's Pizzeria Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    LaRosa's Pizzeria 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
    LaRosa's Pizzeria Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 280-320 hours Classroom Training: 40-80 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line 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/appAd Templates 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
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    LaRosa's Pizzeria 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 LaRosa's Pizzeria

    Buddy LaRosa was inspired to open his first pizzeria after the pizzas he made for a church fundraiser using his Aunt Dena's recipe turned out to be a hit. With $400 and a couple of partners, he opened Papa Gino's in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1954. After his partners left the business a few years in, he changed the name of the pizzeria to LaRosa's. In 1967, he began franchising.

    Seeking new franchisees in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia