Happy Joe's vs Italian Joe's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Italian Joe's Franchise
Investment $24,470 - $1,030,625$78,000 - $2,400,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $17,000$8,500
Royalty Fee 4.5%-5%$850/mo.
Advertising Fee 1.5%$125/mo.
Year Founded 19722008
Year Franchised 19732009
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee 10% of fee or $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Happy Joe's Franchise
Italian Joe's Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Italian Joe'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
    Italian Joe'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
    Italian Joe'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 Italian Joe's

    Become part of a growing global franchise; Italian Joe's is owned by Complete Express Foods, a privately held corporation dedicated to the design, development and marketing of fast casual restaurants. Complete Express Foods supports its franchisees by providing seasoned real estate guidance, ongoing operational support, and turnkey marketing programs designed to optimize profitability and boost register receipts. We are currently offering: Single store, Area development, and Master franchise agreements for all of Complete Express Foods branded concepts, which includes a variety of good-for-you branded concepts that are in step with today's growing trend towards low-fat, nutritious eating. They include Italian Joe's, Brewster's Chicken, and Carla's ~ Sandwiches and Burgers - all of which deliver strong unit economics, people-pleasing menus and operational ease. Complete Express Foods is also offering co-branded opportunities to both existing franchisees as well as new prospects.