Happy Joe's vs Rosati's Pizza Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Happy Joe's vs Rosati'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
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$136,200 - $1,241,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%5%
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 19721964
Year Franchised 19732006
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
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Rosati'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-/Yes
    Payroll No/Yes-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Rosati's Pizza Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours A successful operation depends on hiring, training and retaining quality employees and management personnel. As part of the Rosati's Pizza Franchise Program we have designed a comprehensive training system for franchise owners and operators based on proven standards and guidelines developed over the years by Rosati's. Prior to the opening of your store, initial training will take place in one of our locations in addition to classroom training in our corporate office. With the exception of personal costs, transportation and lodging, your training expenses are included in the Franchise fee. On-The-Job Training: 292 hours Classroom Training: 6 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Our franchise consultants, working under the Director of Operations, maintain constant communication with all franchisees. You will receive operating and marketing information as well as new ideas to assist in the growth of your business. Also provided is an in-depth consultation report, which provides an analysis of your operation and a jointly prepared action plan to optimize store performance. Newsletter Meetings/Conventions 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/appRosati's marketing strategy targets the geographic area of each restaurant through the extensive use of distinctive print material. A local marketing manual also provides an outline to focus efforts on a variety of community oriented activities. The use of a sophisticated computerized point of sale system provides detailed customer information enabling us to execute the marketing strategy in a cost effective manner. 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)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 6 - 8

    Expansion Plans

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Rosati's Pizza Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    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 Rosati's Pizza

    A TRADITION OF QUALITY for FIVE GENERATIONS.
    "Give the people what they want." Saverio (Sam) Rosati Nearly a century ago these were the simple words Sam Rosati lived by; little did he know this humble philosophy helped shape the foundation on which Rosati's Pizza was built. Sam's father began the family's rich tradition of serving delicious Italian food to customers in his New York restaurant back in the late 1890's. After the turn of the century, the family moved to Chicago and opened yet another fine ltalian restaurant featuring "Italian Style Pizza", a tasty appetizer consisting of homemade tomato sauce served on a crispy piece of bread. In 1927, following in his father's footsteps, Sam opened his own Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago. When Sam retired, his sons were ready to continue the family tradition.
    The year was 1964 and pizza in America had evolved and was starting to take off. The first Rosati's Pizza opened its doors in a suburb of Chicago. In 1970, Rick Rosati, great grandson of Fred Sr., continued the family tradition and opened his own Rosati's Pizza in Arlington Heights, Illinois. By 1978, a total of ten individual Rosati family members owned Rosati's Pizza locations. In 1979 the family decided to expand the business and began franchising the Rosati's Pizza concept. In 1996 Sam Rosati, great great grandson of Fred Sr. opened his first Rosati's Pizza location in Belvidere, Illinois marking the fifth generation of Rosati family members serving delicious Italian food. Other locations soon followed and Rosati's Pizza was on the map.

    "Top          "Entrepreneur
    #65 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #145 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #170 in Franchise 500 for 2021.