Happy Joe's vs Mountain Mike's Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Mountain Mike's Pizza Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$207,500 - $593,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%5%
Advertising Fee 1.5%3%
Year Founded 19721978
Year Franchised 19731981
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Mountain Mike's Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Mountain Mike's Pizza 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-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Mountain Mike's Pizza Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 132-134 hours Classroom Training: 53-69 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 Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations
    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)

    		Number of Employees Required to Run: 15

    Expansion Plans
     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Mountain Mike's Pizza 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 Mountain Mike's Pizza

    Today, with more than one million pizzas in annual sales, Mountain Mike's is quickly becoming the pizza restaurant of choice among families throughout California. It takes money to make money, there is no question about that. But you'd be surprised how little it actually does take. Becoming a franchise owner of Mountain Mike's is in almost every instance less expensive than other full-service franchises in the country. You need only a net worth of $200,000 with a minimum cash liquidity of $75,000. Experience in the food service industry is also a definite plus. However, if you are entrepreneurial and have a solid business experience with a successful track record, our staff can assist you every step of the way.

    Seeking new franchise units in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Utah

    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #142 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #192 in Franchise 500 for 2021.