Chicago's Pizza vs Happy's Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
Investment $87,300 - $173,100$336,500 - $608,000
Franchise Fee $12,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%1.5K/mo
Advertising Fee -Up to 1%
Year Founded 19791996
Year Franchised 19812007
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Happy's Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Happy's Pizza Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Happy's Pizza Franchise
    Training -

    While each of our stores undergoes Happy's classic build out, operators gain admission to The University of Happy's Pizza. After 30-45 days of training in our corporate kitchen and 60-90 days of in-store management training at an open location, graduates are completely groomed for success. Once a store is open, our support staff helps you with marketing, inventory control, staffing, prep and food updates.

    Support Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

    Site selection, lease negotiations assistance, equipment, fixture, signage and inventory suppliers and even construction standards and assistance. In addition to this, once a new store begins operations, Happy's Pizza provides all stores with an operations manual, continuous updates of our specifications and process and operational advice and assistance by telephone and Internet.

    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks

    We are one of the only restaurants with a toll-free vanity number and we know how to use it. 800 BE HAPPY. Our in-house ad agency will customize individual marketing plans for every store. It starts with coming soon banners, job fairs and a big grand opening push. Once operations are running smoothly, we turn up the marketing machine with TV. Radio, direct mail, mobile and on-line promotions connected with our growing social web presence.

    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Happy's Pizza Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Chicago's Pizza

    Robert McDonald enjoyed working in the pizza business. When he was suddenly terminated from his job with an Indiana pizza restaurant, he decided to start his own pizza chain. When Ron Epple, who had worked with McDonald as director of franchise training, heard what his old co-worker was up to, he asked to be part of it.

    In 1979, the two founded Chicago's Pizza. At lunchtime, restaurants serve pizzas by the slice or in seven-inch rounds from counters and drive-thru windows. In the evening, customers can use the drive-thru window to pick up phone orders. Most of the locations also have dining rooms where customers can enjoy Chicago's 29-inch pizza.

    The company has franchises in Indiana and Ohio. There is also a Chicago's Pizza location in Seville, Spain.

    About Happy's Pizza

    On a busy corner in Detroit, the first Happy's Pizza opened its doors. Not only was the pizza a hit, our barbeque ribs, fried chicken and seafood created a huge demand. Almost immediately, Happy's Pizza's popped up every 6 miles from each other in Detroit and we didn't stop there. We are now delivering more than just great pizza all over Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, San Diego and Las Vegas. When customers think of Happy's Pizza a few things come to mind. These include: Only the freshest high-quality ingredients being used to prepare their final dining selection. Finding a delicious dining option for each member of their family! Fresh in-house dough, sauces, ribs and other products made each day. Happy's Pizza's commitment to superior customer services standards. Our classic Happy's Pizza restaurant design has become an icon throughout the Midwest. Happy's prototypical exterior conveys an image of quality and consistency. Decorated in granite, ceramic tile and neon, the interior works hard to extend the brand. Our construction department assists with floor plans, site elevations, sign and kitchen equipment packages.
     
    Happy's Pizza boasts not only a huge menu selection but also unbeatable prices. With promotion-oriented materials and programs for all our franchisees, backed by comprehensive operations, proprietary training, demographic research and shrewd business strategy, our franchisees enjoy an unparalleled level of support as they grow their own business - and dough - from the ground up!