Happy Joe's facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1972 in Bettendorf, Iowa |
| Founder | Lawrence Joseph "Happy Joe" Whitty |
| Headquarters | |
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Number of locations
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42 (2021) |
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Areas served
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Key people
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Thomas Sacco (CEO & President, Dynamic) |
| Products | |
| Owner | Dynamic Restaurant Holdings |
Happy Joe's is a popular American restaurant chain. It is famous for its pizza and ice cream. The first Happy Joe's opened in 1972 in Bettendorf, Iowa.
The founder was Lawrence Joseph "Happy Joe" Whitty. He wanted to create a fun place for families. Happy Joe's restaurants are mostly found in the Midwest United States and Florida. They also have a location in Egypt.
Contents
History of Happy Joe's
Happy Joe's started in 1972. Its founder, Lawrence Joseph Whitty, used to manage another pizza place. He got into trouble for throwing a birthday party for a child there. This gave him the idea to open his own restaurant. He wanted a place where birthday parties were a main attraction.
Early Days and Special Items
Happy Joe's quickly became known for its fun birthday parties. It also became famous for its unique food. One special item was the taco pizza. Happy Joe's says it was the first pizza place to offer this. Another popular treat was Joegurt, which is ice cream mixed with yogurt.
Expanding Across the Midwest
In the 1980s, Happy Joe's even had a restaurant in Cairo, Egypt. This location was shaped like a boat and sat on the Nile River. Over time, the chain grew in the United States. It opened restaurants in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri, and Illinois. Of course, it also has many locations in its home state of Iowa.
Overcoming Challenges
Happy Joe's has faced some challenges. In 2006, a tornado destroyed a location in Iowa City, Iowa. Two years later, a restaurant in Coralville was damaged by floods. But both times, the restaurants were rebuilt and reopened. This shows the company's determination.
New Restaurant Ideas
Around the mid-2010s, Happy Joe's tried a new idea. They opened "Happy Joe's Pizza Grille" locations. These restaurants offer more than just pizza. They serve traditional American food like Rubens. They also have a small buffet with their pizzas.
Recent Growth and Future Plans
Happy Joe's has continued to grow. They had two stores in Arizona that closed, but they plan to open new ones there. In 2019, the founder, Happy Joe Whitty, passed away at age 82.
By 2022, Happy Joe's began big plans to expand. They aimed to open at least 25 new restaurants. These new locations are planned for the Middle East and North Africa. Countries like Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the U.A.E. are included. The first new location opened in Cairo, Egypt, where they had a boat-shaped restaurant before.
Happy Joe's also opened two restaurants in Florida. These were their first stores in the southern United States. More stores are planned for places like Branson and the St. Louis area. They also planned a location in Texas, possibly in Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, or Arlington. This Texas location is special because it is the company's first franchise owned by a minority group.
Happy Joe's Products
Happy Joe's is known for its unique and tasty food items.
Taco Pizza
The taco pizza is a very famous item at Happy Joe's. It has a special sauce made from refried beans and tomatoes. It's topped with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and taco chips. The idea came from a restaurant owner who suggested adding tacos to the menu. Happy Joe Whitty then created this best-selling pizza.
Breakfast Pizza
Since 2005, some Happy Joe's locations have offered breakfast pizzas. These are a great way to start the day with a pizza twist.
Flatbread Pizza
In 2013, Happy Joe's added flatbread pizzas to their menu. These offer a lighter, crispier pizza option.
Gluten-Free Crusts
Happy Joe's cares about its customers' needs. They offer gluten-free crusts for those with gluten allergies. This means more people can enjoy their pizzas.
Birthday Parties
Happy Joe's is famous for its exciting birthday parties. The founder, Happy Joe Whitty, was inspired to include parties after being disciplined for hosting one at his old job. He wanted his restaurant to be a place where kids could have amazing birthday celebrations.
Joegurt
Joegurt is Happy Joe's special dessert. It's a mix of ice cream and yogurt. You can find Joegurt at all Happy Joe's locations, including the Pizza Grille restaurants.
See also
