From the filings

HQ-led decisions

HAPPY JOE'S PIZZA

Quick service restaurant

Software purchasing decisions at Happy Joe's Pizza are controlled at the headquarters level in Iowa. The 2026 FDD details a tech stack that mandates Mercury Payment Systems for payments and Restaurant365 for accounting, with Sysco and Punchh also recommended. The addressable market is limited to 32 total units, 29 of which are franchised.

For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.

Live signals

Total units
32
29 franchised
Franchised outlet growth
0%
Item 20, last two year-ends
AUV
$969K
Item 19, 2025
Royalty
6% component; full terms unconfirmed
percentage component
Ad fund
1%
percentage component
Initial fee
$40K
per unit
Investment range
$547K–$1.36M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Franchisor controlled
from the filing
Non-compete
1 years
from the filing
Item 19
Claims
from the filing

Ordinary royalty terms

6% component; full terms unconfirmed

Complete royalty terms are not confirmed for the selected filing.

Recorded percentage components

These are recorded percentage components. Each has its own base and conditions; the chart does not state the total payment or confirm ad-fund completeness.

1recorded components (FY2026)

Recorded percentage components (FY2026)Ad fund 1%. Components use their own filing bases and conditions. Drawn against a 15% reference scale.

15% reference

Ad fund 1%

Mandated & recommended tech

The systems vendors compete with

4 technology requirements are recorded in this filing. A required choice lists alternatives for one obligation. Read each cited clause for its conditions.

Mercury Payment SystemsWorldpay
Mandatory
PaymentsItem 11

HAPPY JOE’S Franchise Disclosure Document | 2026 25 suppliers and other third parties for standard Menu Items to assist you in complying with current menu labeling laws and regulations. (Paragraph XIII.B.) 9. We may make visits to the Restaurant. We may prepare written reports concerning these visits outlining any suggested changes or improvements in the operations of the Restaurant, and will advise you of problems arising out of the operation of the Restaurant to the extent it is disclosed in the written report. (Paragraph XIII.D.) 10. We may furnish you with assistance concerning the operation of the Restaurant as we determine is necessary. (Paragraph XIII.C.) Although we may provide reports on visits to the Restaurant and may offer assistance and guidance in various forms regarding the operation of the Restaurant, you have the sole control over the day-to-day operations of your Restaurant. 11. You must purchase and use a computer system and the Toast POS software. The current estimated cost to purchase the required hardware for computer system is $10,410 for a Full-Size Restaurant (based on five terminals) and $4,708 for a DELCO Facility (based on 2 terminals). In addition, you must obtain a software license and pay a monthly subscription fee (SaaS) of $625 per month for five terminals and $250 per month for two terminals or a one-time initial cost of $7,490 (traditional licensing). Toast offers support services and upgrades as they are available. The current annual cost of support and upgrades beginning after six months from the date of purchase of the software is $995, which is waived if using the monthly subscription licensing model (SaaS). Your computer system and POS system must meet the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Currently this includes putting a firewall in place and having a service do periodic external scans. Currently, the cost for implementation of the firewall is $318 and the fee for the monthly service is $114 per month. You must have high speed internet access with a minimum download speed of 60 Mbps throughout the term of the franchise for us to provide support and to that you can access our R365 Expandshare on-line training system for initial and ongoing training for you, your managers and employees. You must offer on-line ordering to customers unless your particular circumstances do not warrant it and we agree and issue our written consent that you are not required to offer online ordering. Currently, the costs associated with on-line ordering, paid to a third-party vendor, is an initial fee of $795 for set up with your existing POS system and an ongoing monthly charge of $109. You will have access to R365, an Inventory Management and Cost Management software program that integrates directly with your POS system and with Sysco, our only approved broadline foodservice distributor. R365 will allow you to see virtual real time costs for your restaurant’s sales based on your restaurant’s product mix, menu pricing, and most recent Sysco invoices. The granular visibility you have with R365 allows you to review variances for each ingredient that is part of every recipe for every item sold on your Happy Joe’s menu. Your cost for 2026 is approximately $90 per month, net of local and state taxes and fees. You must be able to process gift cards using a Mercury processing system. The current cost for this system is $0 to $20 per month depending on the system you use for processing. We may require you to upgrade or update the computer system at any time. There are no contractual limitations on the number of times you must upgrade or update the computer system or on the amount of money that you must spend in doing so. We will have full access to all of your data, systems and related information by direct access, whether in person or by computer network or the internet (Paragraph XI.D.) There is no contractual limitation on our right to access your computer system. Other than the support of the Toast POS described above, we have no obligation to providing ongoing maintenance repairs, upgrades or updates. Our affiliate, Dynamic Restaurants Acquisition, Inc., offers ongoing computer system support to franchisees on a fee for service basis. Methods Used to Select the Location of the Restaurant: You must select the site for the Restaurant within the area designated in the Franchise Agreement. Our approval of the site is required. (Paragraph III.B.). If you do not select a site that is approved by us within 90 days from the date of signing the Franchise Agreement, the Franchise Agreement may be terminated. We generally will not own the site or lease it to you.

PunchhPAR Technology
Mandatory
LoyaltyItem 8

ITEM 8 RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Proprietary Products We own certain Proprietary Products, including food products (including proprietary sauces, cheese and meats, pizza dough, pizza sauce and the Happy Joe’s Taco Chips, Spicey Joe’s Taco Sauce, Happy Joe’s Taco Sauce and Happy Joe’s Pizza & Dipping Sauce), paper products, uniforms, and other equipment. You must purchase the Proprietary Products from suppliers designated by us. We and/or our Affiliate have license agreements with manufacturers of these products and with distributors who are licensed to sell the products to franchisees. The license fees paid by manufacturers and distributors are paid directly to the HJNFB Advertising Fund. Software We or a designated supplier may develop and custom design a proprietary software package for conducting accounting, inventory (R365) point-of-sale (Toast) functions and related loyalty app technology based (Punchh) activities at the Restaurant. The proprietary software may be implemented into the System at our discretion. If the proprietary software is implemented into the System, you will be required to only use the proprietary software in the operation of the Restaurant.

Restaurant365Restaurant365
Mandatory
AccountingItem 8

ITEM 8 RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Proprietary Products We own certain Proprietary Products, including food products (including proprietary sauces, cheese and meats, pizza dough, pizza sauce and the Happy Joe’s Taco Chips, Spicey Joe’s Taco Sauce, Happy Joe’s Taco Sauce and Happy Joe’s Pizza & Dipping Sauce), paper products, uniforms, and other equipment. You must purchase the Proprietary Products from suppliers designated by us. We and/or our Affiliate have license agreements with manufacturers of these products and with distributors who are licensed to sell the products to franchisees. The license fees paid by manufacturers and distributors are paid directly to the HJNFB Advertising Fund. Software We or a designated supplier may develop and custom design a proprietary software package for conducting accounting, inventory (R365) point-of-sale (Toast) functions and related loyalty app technology based (Punchh) activities at the Restaurant. The proprietary software may be implemented into the System at our discretion. If the proprietary software is implemented into the System, you will be required to only use the proprietary software in the operation of the Restaurant.

ToastToast
Mandatory
POSItem 8

ITEM 8 RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Proprietary Products We own certain Proprietary Products, including food products (including proprietary sauces, cheese and meats, pizza dough, pizza sauce and the Happy Joe’s Taco Chips, Spicey Joe’s Taco Sauce, Happy Joe’s Taco Sauce and Happy Joe’s Pizza & Dipping Sauce), paper products, uniforms, and other equipment. You must purchase the Proprietary Products from suppliers designated by us. We and/or our Affiliate have license agreements with manufacturers of these products and with distributors who are licensed to sell the products to franchisees. The license fees paid by manufacturers and distributors are paid directly to the HJNFB Advertising Fund. Software We or a designated supplier may develop and custom design a proprietary software package for conducting accounting, inventory (R365) point-of-sale (Toast) functions and related loyalty app technology based (Punchh) activities at the Restaurant. The proprietary software may be implemented into the System at our discretion. If the proprietary software is implemented into the System, you will be required to only use the proprietary software in the operation of the Restaurant.

SyscoSysco
InventoryItem 11

HAPPY JOE’S Franchise Disclosure Document | 2026 25 suppliers and other third parties for standard Menu Items to assist you in complying with current menu labeling laws and regulations. (Paragraph XIII.B.) 9. We may make visits to the Restaurant. We may prepare written reports concerning these visits outlining any suggested changes or improvements in the operations of the Restaurant, and will advise you of problems arising out of the operation of the Restaurant to the extent it is disclosed in the written report. (Paragraph XIII.D.) 10. We may furnish you with assistance concerning the operation of the Restaurant as we determine is necessary. (Paragraph XIII.C.) Although we may provide reports on visits to the Restaurant and may offer assistance and guidance in various forms regarding the operation of the Restaurant, you have the sole control over the day-to-day operations of your Restaurant. 11. You must purchase and use a computer system and the Toast POS software. The current estimated cost to purchase the required hardware for computer system is $10,410 for a Full-Size Restaurant (based on five terminals) and $4,708 for a DELCO Facility (based on 2 terminals). In addition, you must obtain a software license and pay a monthly subscription fee (SaaS) of $625 per month for five terminals and $250 per month for two terminals or a one-time initial cost of $7,490 (traditional licensing). Toast offers support services and upgrades as they are available. The current annual cost of support and upgrades beginning after six months from the date of purchase of the software is $995, which is waived if using the monthly subscription licensing model (SaaS). Your computer system and POS system must meet the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Currently this includes putting a firewall in place and having a service do periodic external scans. Currently, the cost for implementation of the firewall is $318 and the fee for the monthly service is $114 per month. You must have high speed internet access with a minimum download speed of 60 Mbps throughout the term of the franchise for us to provide support and to that you can access our R365 Expandshare on-line training system for initial and ongoing training for you, your managers and employees. You must offer on-line ordering to customers unless your particular circumstances do not warrant it and we agree and issue our written consent that you are not required to offer online ordering. Currently, the costs associated with on-line ordering, paid to a third-party vendor, is an initial fee of $795 for set up with your existing POS system and an ongoing monthly charge of $109. You will have access to R365, an Inventory Management and Cost Management software program that integrates directly with your POS system and with Sysco, our only approved broadline foodservice distributor. R365 will allow you to see virtual real time costs for your restaurant’s sales based on your restaurant’s product mix, menu pricing, and most recent Sysco invoices. The granular visibility you have with R365 allows you to review variances for each ingredient that is part of every recipe for every item sold on your Happy Joe’s menu. Your cost for 2026 is approximately $90 per month, net of local and state taxes and fees. You must be able to process gift cards using a Mercury processing system. The current cost for this system is $0 to $20 per month depending on the system you use for processing. We may require you to upgrade or update the computer system at any time. There are no contractual limitations on the number of times you must upgrade or update the computer system or on the amount of money that you must spend in doing so. We will have full access to all of your data, systems and related information by direct access, whether in person or by computer network or the internet (Paragraph XI.D.) There is no contractual limitation on our right to access your computer system. Other than the support of the Toast POS described above, we have no obligation to providing ongoing maintenance repairs, upgrades or updates. Our affiliate, Dynamic Restaurants Acquisition, Inc., offers ongoing computer system support to franchisees on a fee for service basis. Methods Used to Select the Location of the Restaurant: You must select the site for the Restaurant within the area designated in the Franchise Agreement. Our approval of the site is required. (Paragraph III.B.). If you do not select a site that is approved by us within 90 days from the date of signing the Franchise Agreement, the Franchise Agreement may be terminated. We generally will not own the site or lease it to you.

Franchisor behaviours

What the franchisor requires

27 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 1 explicit no; 6 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.

Accounting

Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisor shall have full access to all of your data, system and related information by means of direct access whether in person, by computer network or internet access, or by physical back-up data on storage devises.

Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You shall supply to Franchisor within 15 days after the end of each calendar month, in the form approved by Franchisor, a profit and loss statement and balance sheet for the last preceding month just ended.

How the franchisor buys

Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?

Yes

Item 8

We are currently an approved supplier of certain preprinted advertising and promotional items bearing the Marks, forms, signs, and supplies.

Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?

Yes

Item 11

We may modify the System, including the adoption and use of new or modified trade names, new Proprietary Products, new Marks or copyrighted materials, new menu items, new products, new equipment or new techniques.

Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisor and its affiliates reserve the right to make a profit on products or services it sells to franchisees, and to receive consideration from any suppliers it approves.

Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?

80

Item 8

The purchase of products from designated suppliers, approved suppliers or in accordance with specifications and standards, will represent approximately 80% to 90% of your initial purchases and leases in establishing the Restaurant and 80% to 90% of your on-going purchases and leases if you are operating a Full-Size…

Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You or the supplier shall pay a charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection and evaluation and the actual cost of the test.

Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?

Yes

Item 8

If you would like to sell or use any product, material or supply or purchase any products from a supplier not on either of these lists, you must notify us and may need to submit samples and other information to us so that we can make an informed decision as to whether the product or supplier meets our standards.

Communications

Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You hereby agree and acknowledge that as between Franchisor and you, Franchisor has the sole right to and interest in all telephone numbers and directory listings associated with Franchisor’s Marks.

Data and IT

Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Your point-of-sale system and related credit card processing must be compliant with current Payment Card Industry Data Security standards and other procedures required by the Manuals or other written materials provided by Franchisor to prevent credit card fraud.

Franchise management

Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisor or its agents shall have the right of entry and inspection of your Premises and operating procedures at all reasonable times.

Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?

Yes

Item 11

We may modify the Manuals (Paragraph VI.A.)

Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?

Yes

Item 11

Our approval of the site is required.

Marketing

Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You shall not make any reference to or any association with the Copyrighted Works or Marks on any social media platforms, social networks, blog, or other on-line venue or in any other manner on the Internet without the Franchisor’s prior written consent.

Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?

Yes

Item 7

If you are opening a Restaurant in an existing market for HAPPY JOE’S franchises, you must spend a minimum of $10,000 on advertising before you open the Restaurant and during the first 30 days of operation.

Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You agree to participate in and contribute its share to such cooperative advertising and promotional programs in your Advertising Coverage Area

Operations

Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?

Yes

Item 8

You must purchase the Proprietary Products from suppliers designated by us.

Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

You must purchase the Proprietary Products from suppliers designated by us.

Payments

Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You shall participate in Franchisor’s then-current electronic funds transfer program.

Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?

Yes

Item 11

You must be able to process gift cards using a Mercury processing system.

People

Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You shall maintain at all times a staff of trained managers, assistant managers and employees sufficient to operate the Restaurant in compliance with Franchisor's standards.

Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

You must enforce all dress and appearance requirements established by Franchisor from time to time, including wearing of uniforms meeting Franchisor’s color, design and specifications, and imprinted with the Marks as prescribed by Franchisor in the Manuals or other written materials provided by Franchisor, for the…

Point of sale

Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 11

You must purchase and use a computer system and the Toast POS software.

Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?

Yes

Item 11

We will have full access to all of your data, systems and related information by direct access, whether in person or by computer network or the internet (Paragraph XI.D.)

Sales and CRM

Must the franchisee use a CRM system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 8

ITEM 8 RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES As an area director, you must acquire, subscribe to, and use our customer relationship management and other required software.

Training

Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?

Yes

Item 11

We may periodically provide and require that you and/or your managers and employees attend and successfully complete refresher training programs or seminars conducted at a location designated by us.

Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?

Yes

Item 11

You must attend any Annual Meeting of HAPPY JOE’S franchisees that is held by us.

The filing answers no to 1 question
  • Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?

The vendor opportunity at Happy Joe's Pizza

Happy Joe's Pizza is a quick-service restaurant brand headquartered in Iowa. The most recent FDD, filed in 2026, reports 32 total locations: 29 franchised units and 3 company-owned. The brand's footprint is heavily concentrated in the Midwest, with operators mapped across Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri. Average unit volume stands at $969,040. For software vendors, the total addressable market is small, but the brand's centralized purchasing and explicit technology mandates create a clear path to a headquarters-led sale. Happy Joe's is part of a single-brand holding company, Happy Joe's, and the FDD shows a franchise system composed entirely of single-unit operators—no multi-unit franchisees are present.

Who controls software purchasing

Decisions on technology at Happy Joe's are made at the franchisor level. The FDD's Item 1 lists the following executives: Thomas Sacco, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director; Aaron Huber, Chief Financial Officer; Kathy Davidson, Vice President of Franchise Development; Ashley Balluff, Vice President of Training & Culinary Development; and Jenny Culp, Vice President of Purchasing & Supply Chain. Given the mandated technology systems, the most relevant buyer for a software vendor is likely the CFO or the VP of Purchasing and Supply Chain. The VP of Franchise Development can be a gatekeeper for tech that aids franchisee operations, but the mandate power rests with the finance and supply chain functions.

Mandated and current tech stack

The 2026 FDD specifies mandated technology in Item 11. Mercury Payment Systems is designated as the mandated payment processing vendor. Restaurant365 is mandated for accounting and back-office functions. The document also lists Sysco and Punchh under recommended or specified vendor relationships—Sysco likely relates to supply chain, while Punchh is a loyalty and engagement platform. For a SaaS vendor, understanding this configuration is critical: the payment stack is locked to Mercury, the ERP/accounting layer is locked to Restaurant365, and a loyalty/CRM solution from Punchh is recommended. Any pitch must address how it integrates with or augments this existing mandated stack without displacing a mandated system.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The FDD provides limited detail on general procurement. Item 8 did not yield an extract describing designated suppliers, approved supplier programs, or purchasing cooperatives. In the absence of specific disclosure, vendors should assume procurement is controlled at HQ under the purview of the VP of Purchasing and Supply Chain. Renewal terms offer useful timing signals. The initial franchise term runs 20 years. Item 17 indicates that upon renewal, franchisees sign the then-current form of franchise agreement for a 5-year term, subject to compliance, renovation to current image requirements, and a general release. Monitoring which franchisees approach a renewal or renovation cycle could reveal windows for software evaluation.

How to read the Happy Joe's Pizza FDD

The full Franchise Disclosure Document for Happy Joe's Pizza, filed in 2026, is a regulatory filing that can be reviewed for key items relevant to a software sales strategy. Item 11 lists mandated technology and vendor relationships, which is the most actionable section for a vendor. Item 1 identifies the individuals who control purchasing. Item 17 reveals contract renewal mechanics that can be used to time an outreach campaign. The document does not report any year-over-year unit growth data or multi-unit operators. For a detailed, ranked target list and deeper analysis of Happy Joe's Pizza and comparable franchise brands, talk to FranCloud.

Ordinary royalty terms

Complete royalty terms are not confirmed.

Questions vendors ask

HAPPY JOE'S PIZZA, answered from the filing

The FDD lists Thomas Sacco (CEO), Aaron Huber (CFO), Kathy Davidson (VP Franchise Development), and Jenny Culp (VP Purchasing) as key officers. Buyer likely falls within finance or purchasing leadership.
Item 11 mandates Mercury Payment Systems for payment processing and Restaurant365 for accounting/back-office. Sysco and Punchh are also mentioned as recommended or specified vendor relationships.
There are 32 total units: 29 franchised and 3 company-owned. The system is concentrated in Iowa (32 units) with additional presence in Illinois, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri.
The 2026 FDD Item 8 procurement signal indicates no specific extract was disclosed. Procurement requirements are not detailed beyond designated vendor mentions in Item 11's technology mandates.
Renewal terms under Item 17 run for 5 years, triggering a new franchise agreement. With an initial 20-year term and 32 active units, watch for operator-level renewals for timing clues.
The 2026 FDD is filed with state franchise regulators in 2026. You can view the full disclosure document using the embedded PDF viewer below on this page.
Source

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The brands you can actually sell into, from the filings.

Operator footprint

Who runs the locations

2 operators run 2 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.

Operators by units owned

Single-unit2

Top states by locations

TX1
IA1

Ownership

The portfolio behind HAPPY JOE'S PIZZA

Ownership: Happy Joe's.

Related Quick service restaurant brands

Primary franchise filings · updated August 2026. Read the original filing for definitions, conditions, and qualifications.