Franchising

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream seeks franchisees for key Iowa markets

Photo: Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream

May 14, 2025

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream has reopened franchise development opportunities in its home state of Iowa, according to a press release.

For decades, Happy Joe's was a staple across cities like Ames, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Iowa City, Coralville, Marion, Mason City, North Liberty, Lindale, Sioux City and the greater Des Moines metro area. Now, for the first time in years, the brand is welcoming new franchise inquiries in these communities — inviting entrepreneurs to bring Happy Joe's back to the neighborhoods that helped make it a household name.

"This is a unique opportunity to step into a market that already knows and loves Happy Joe's," Tom Sacco, president and chief happiness officer of Happy Joe's, said in the press release. "These communities have a deep emotional connection to the brand. We're not starting from scratch here — there's goodwill and nostalgia just waiting to be rekindled."

Franchisees entering these markets will benefit from:

• Community recognition from decades of brand love.
• Comprehensive support from real estate to operations.
• A flexible model suited for urban, suburban or small-town markets.

"There are very few times in franchising when you get to build something new while honoring something that was already great and solidly established," Sacco added. "This isn't just an investment opportunity — it's a chance to bring back a piece of local history and make it stronger than ever."

Happy Joe's was founded in 1972 by Joe Whitty in Davenport, Iowa. The brand is owned and operated by Dynamic Restaurant Holdings Inc.