Happy Joe's vs Chuck E. Cheese's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Chuck E. Cheese's Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$1,170,000 - $1,830,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$50,000 - $800,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%5%
Advertising Fee 1.5%0,75%
Year Founded 19721977
Year Franchised 19731977
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Chuck E. Cheese's Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • To maintain our brand’s reputation, we ask that potential franchise owners meet the following: Must be a resident of country to be developed and have knowledge of operating businesses including local regulations, real estate, and local cultures

    A passion for the brand, commitment and a drive to succeed

    Strong Leadership skills

    Strong business and financial acumen

    Good interpersonal and administrative skills

    An entrepreneurial mindset

    Capital to grow: Our minimum financial requirements are that potential franchise partners have a minumum of $800,000 in liquid assets that they can invest into each Chuck E. Cheese’s they develop If you would like to open 1-5 stores, it would require $800,000- $ 4 million in liquid assets to be invested in Chuck E Cheese’s.

    If you would like to open 6-10 stores, it would require $4- $8 million in liquid assets to invested in Chuck E. Cheese’s

    If you would like to open 11 or more stores, it would require $8.8 million in liquid assets to be invested in Chuck E. Cheese’s


    Financing Options

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Chuck E. Cheese's 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
    Chuck E. Cheese's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media 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
    Chuck E. Cheese's 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 Chuck E. Cheese's

    Chuck E. Cheese’s was founded in 1977 and has quickly risen to the top in family dining and entertainment. With over 600 locations around the world, there isn’t a better family fun center franchise around.This is an industry that has undergone a rapid evolution, and Chuck E. Cheese’s is leading the way to serve new generations. We’re not just an arcade franchise - we’re a forward-thinking franchise of family fun centers that’s consistently raising the bar for new generations. Higher quality food for more health-conscious parents. New games that help foster important developmental skills. And seamless online experiences that makes event planning easier than ever for parents and school faculty.
    .All this adds up to an amazing restaurant franchise opportunity!