Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream is continuing its national and international expansion and ongoing industrial evolution and industry leaders are taking note, the company said.
The Davenport-born and based brand recently jumped three spots to No. 21 on Pizza Marketplace’s annual “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” list. Tom Sacco, the current innovative leader of the company launched by Lawrence Joseph “Happy Joe” Whitty in 1972, also won a spot on its “Top 25 Industry Executives” list.
“Happy Joe’s isn’t just riding on legacy,” Jay Brasher, senior public relations specialist for Happy Joe’s said in an email. “This is a brand with momentum — recognized for its innovative approach to family dining, strong emotional connection with multi-generational guests and franchise growth across the Midwest and beyond.”
According to Pizza Marketplace, brands nominated themselves for the Top 100 list. It includes the Top 75 brands and the Top 25 pizza industry executives. Those entries were vetted by a panel of judges, who measured company growth, use of technology and leadership in the industry. The list was sponsored by HungerRush, Burkett Restaurant Equipment, Atmosphere and XRobotics.
“It’s an honor for Happy Joe’s to once again be named among the Top Movers and Shakers, and even more rewarding to see us climb higher than last year,” Mr. Sacco, the brand’s president and chief happiness officer, said in a news release.
“Winning these awards validates the emotional connections we make with thousands of families around the country every day. This company means so much to me, and I’m grateful to work alongside such a passionate and talented team driving our mission forward every day.”
Brand still expanding
The full rankings are available at pizzamarketplace.com.
The Happy Joe’s entry in the top 100 list said the company had secured 22 new franchises in 2024, expanding into Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. “They aim for 25 more franchises and eight new locations,” the bio said.
The entry also touted the company’s use of the ORCA inventory management system that it said “has effectively controlled cost fluctuations, minimizing menu price increases during inflation, benefiting franchisees and corporate restaurants.”
Mr. Sacco’s Top 25 executive listing said he has “revitalized Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, reversing its decline through strategic rebranding, menu innovation, and technology integration.”
It also said “Sacco’s leadership emphasizes a servant-first approach, fostering strong connections with employees and customers. He partnered with Integrated Digital Strategies to enhance franchise growth, resulting in a new franchise website and lead generation process. This partnership aims to expand Happy Joe’s into new markets, demonstrating Sacco’s commitment to the brand’s future.”
For more information about Happy Joe’s, visit HappyJoesFranchising.com. For information on starting a Happy Joe’s Pizza franchise, contact Kat Davidson at [email protected] or call (678) 485-8413.
Owned and operated by Dynamic Restaurant Holdings Inc., Happy Joe’s has been named a FastCasual “Top 200” concept, Franchise Times “Top 400” business and Nation’s Restaurant News “Top 500” restaurant. The family-centric, child entertainment franchise pizza brand has three company-owned and 35 franchise locations throughout the Midwest with more in the pipeline. To learn more, visit HappyJoes.com or follow Happy Joe’s on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
