Happy Joe's vs LaRosa's Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Happy Joe's vs LaRosa's 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 Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$729,200 - $1,927,000
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 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
LaRosa's Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • We're looking for multi-unit foodservice and retail operators, as well as other investors who have a history of business success. While restaurant experience is preferred, franchise candidates with other professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, but will be required to employ experienced and qualified restaurant operators as a General Manager in each LaRosa's Pizzeria.

    Financing Options

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    LaRosa'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
    LaRosa's 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)

    If you have restaurant management experience, you may wish to work day to day in the operation of your LaRosa's pizzeria. If you don't have restaurant management experience or choose not to work day to day in the operation of your LaRosa's pizzeria, an experienced restaurant General Manager must be hired to run day to day operations.

    Expansion Plans

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    LaRosa's 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

    A Successful Brand with Proven Guest Appeal and Consistent Sales Since 1954. That's what makes us LaRosa's! In the restaurant business, somebody is always trying to franchise "the next big thing." No doubt you've seen dozens of them come and go. Doesn't it make more sense to find a stable and rewarding business concept with a strong track record? Take a closer look at franchising with LaRosa's. For nearly 60 years, we've offered delicious family-recipe food and great service to Guests in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. Now we're looking to expand outside our Midwestern home with the help of smart Franchise Owners like you. One of our principal strengths is that we've been in business nearly 60 years, providing great food and service to our Guests. Our first franchised pizzeria opened in 1967. Not many franchises out there can say that. Five more reasons why franchisees join our family...
     *Dependable Growth
    *Product Quality
    *Dedicated Fans
    *Innovation
    *Superior Training
     Our over 75 outlets serve real Italian flavor from real family recipes. Contact us to get started.

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