Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream is celebrating a 2025 it calls “a milestone year of growth, recognition and community impact” for the Davenport-based brand.
In a Tuesday, Jan. 27, news release, the company said the heritage Midwest brand strengthened its franchise pipeline and saw significant industry recognition and national acclaim last year.
That included reopening of a New Ulm, Minnesota, location and renewed development efforts that support planned growth across Texas, Iowa, and new states with franchise opportunities in 2026. Last spring, Happy Joe’s also saw a restaurant opening in Oro Valley, Arizona.
Among the 2025 industry awards and honors the Quad Cities-born brand collected last year included: ranking No. 21 on the 2025 Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers; and Tom Sacco, CEO, president, and chief happiness officer being included on Pizza Marketplace’s Top 25 Executives list for the third consecutive year.
The company said it also earned national praise for menu innovation. That included Happy Joe’s “Big Max Pizza” earning a WIN in Flavor & The Menu, and the brand ranking No. 464 on the Franchise Times Top 400 (No. 452 in 2024). It also was featured on QSR Magazine’s 9 Franchises to Watch for 2025.
The year-end release said the brand’s media visibility reached new heights in 2025, with Mr. Sacco featured on the cover of the January/February issue of PMQ Pizza Magazine, spotlighting the company’s strategic direction.
It also got attention with brand leader Haley Lueth’s byline in PMQ during Women’s Empowerment Month, a “CEO-to-CEO” podcast with Mr. Sacco and Ashley’s Answers in PMQ on training and team development.
The brand also landed consistent placement in holiday and seasonal roundups, including the Big Game, Lent, Easter, Pi Day, National Pizza Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurses Week, Tax Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Veterans Day.
Committed to community
The company also showed its continued commitment to the community remained central including hosting nearly 2,000 children with special needs at the annual Happy Joe’s Holiday Parties for Children with Special Needs in early December at Vibrant Arena at the Mark in downtown Moline.
Children enjoyed free pizza, soda, and ice cream, performances from the Happy Joe’s Hip Hop Dancers, and visits from Happy the Dog, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each child also received a gift, a free book, from Books-A-Million.
“Happy Joe’s has stood for joy, family, and community for more than half a century,” Mr. Sacco said in the release.
“This year showed what is possible when franchisees, team members, and guests believe in that mission. We expanded into new markets, earned recognition from our industry, and created meaningful moments for the communities we love,” he added.
“As we look toward 2026, we are committed to keeping that spirit at the center of everything we do,” Mr. Sacco said.
The family-centric pizza brand began in Davenport and now boasts three company-owned and 43 franchised 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.
Prospective franchisees are encouraged to learn more about opportunities at happyjoesfranchising.com.
