From remodeling the brand to launching a franchise website, Happy Joe’s continues international expansion
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream is known around the world for creative takes on traditional pizzas and this year’s third quarter was no different.
The brand partnered with Integrated Digital Solutions to launch a new franchising website generating significantly more qualified leads – a 450% boost from the previous quarter. The new franchising website should continue to have a positive effect on Happy Joe’s growth as the brand expands its footprint both nationally and worldwide through a proprietary lead generation process from IDS.
With new franchises come new designs and ideation. Three years ago, Chief Happiness Officer Tom Sacco decided to update the Happy Joe’s brand. Today, with every new franchise opening, each new restaurant’s interior and exterior design makes a bold statement promoting family-friendly fun with neon lights, pizza-centric art, and Happy Places with colorful tables.
“When redesigning a brand, it’s important to remember what worked in the past,” Sacco said. “But it’s also just as important to look at emerging trends and grow with them.”
Speaking of new franchises, Happy Joe’s was proud to announce the signing of a multi-unit deal in Billings, Montana, and the opening of its SODIC shopping district location in Giza back in July. This location marks the second one in Egypt. The first location was in the Cairo suburb of Roxy in Heliopolis. The Egypt franchisees plan to expand across the country including Mall of Arabia, Mall of Egypt, and more. The brand is also looking to expand into the Middle East such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
Back at headquarters in the United States, Happy Joe’s has assembled and established its new leadership team. Aside from Sacco’s designation as Chief Happiness Officer, he also operates as the CEO and President of the company. The rest of the new leadership team is credited as follows:
Josh Spiller – Director of Marketing
Jenny Culp – Director of Purchasing and Supply Chain
Ashley Balluff – Director of Training and Culinary
Judy McGill – District Coach
Bradley Atkinson – Franchise Business Consultant
Christ Anschutz – Franchise Business Consultant
Stephanie Kieffer – Assistant Controller
Happy Joe’s also received some awards and notable mentions this quarter, starting with the “Best of Flavor” award from GetFlavor.com for its Crab Collab: Crab Rangoon Pizza. Franchise Times also ranked Happy Joe’s in their Top 400 list.
Lastly, Sacco was featured in QSR as one of 11 Restaurant Leaders. He discusses why he loves franchising and advises those who want to get started in similar ventures to find a restaurant brand you are passionate about.
“I realized how critical franchising is to those willing to risk everything they have, which made me dive headfirst into this industry,” Sacco said. “It’s that same passion I look for when partnering with franchisees.”
To learn more about Happy Joe’s visit HappyJoes.com. For interest in Happy Joe’s franchising opportunities, email Kat Davidson at KatD@drhnow.com or call 678.485.8413.
Founded in 1972 by Joe Whitty in Davenport, Iowa, Happy Joe’s dream was to create a restaurant concept that focused on serving America’s two favorite foods – pizza and ice cream – in a family-friendly, celebratory environment. Owned and operated by Dynamic Restaurant Holdings Inc., Happy Joe’s has been named a QSR Magazine “Top 50 Contender,” Pizza Marketplace “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” pizza brand, FastCasual “Top 200” concept, Franchise Times “Top 400” business, and Nation’s Restaurant News “Top 500” restaurant. The family-centric pizza brand has three company and 43 franchise locations throughout the Midwest, with more in the pipeline. To learn more, visit HappyJoes.com or follow Happy Joe’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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