East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Happy Joe's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Investment $162,000 - $463,000$24,470 - $1,030,625
Franchise Fee $20,000$15,000 - $17,000
Royalty Fee 5%4.5%-5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19901972
Year Franchised 19911973
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee To be determined10% of fee or $2K


Business Experience Requirements
 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Experience
  • Company uses Birkman Profile & Corporate Interview Series

  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 26% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 20

    		 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
     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About East of Chicago Pizza Company

    When founder L. Scott Granneman was thinking of a name for his second pizza restaurant in Willard, Ohio, he remembered one of his customers telling him he made 'the best pizza east of Chicago.' The comment stuck with Granneman, and now East of Chicago Pizza has more than 120 locations stretching as far east as Virginia.
    East of Chicago locations offer favorite toppings such as pepperoni and mushrooms as well as a menu of specialty pizzas like Taco (which is covered with lettuce, tomato, black olives, sour cream, cheddar cheese, beef and salsa) and dessert pizzas (Dutch Crunch apple pizza or Peanut Butter & Jelly).

    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.