Tom Sacco, CEO, president and chief “happiness” officer at Completely happy Joe’s Pizza says the model is a “enterprise enterprise” however states the “calling is a lot extra” for the communities they serve. (Fox Information Digital / Olivia Palombo)
For greater than 50 years, Completely happy Joe’s Pizza has been serving up extra than simply their famed pizza and ice cream, it’s discovered one thing extra essential: a “protected haven” for youngsters and households, in response to the corporate’s Chief “Happiness” Officer, Tom Sacco.
The model, which is headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, started in 1972 and was based by Joe Whitty. A “baker by commerce,” he ended up working for Shakey’s Pizza.
“From what I perceive, he went to Shakey’s and stated, ‘Hey, I’ve obtained a possibility with my background, I believe I can actually enhance our pizza dough,’” Tom Sacco, present Completely happy Joe’s Pizza Chief Government Officer, President and Chief “Happiness” Officer, recalled.
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“They stated, ‘Effectively, in the event you don’t suppose our pizza dough is so good, why don’t you simply depart and do your personal pizza restaurant,’” Sacco continued.
To at the present time, the model continues to make use of that very same dough recipe, in response to Sacco.
“I attempt to be as true, not understanding him, however understanding a few of his traits and attributes,” Sacco instructed FOX Enterprise.
Sacco has spent his complete profession within the restaurant enterprise and grew up working in his grandfather’s kitchen at eight years outdated. After getting a bachelor’s and grasp’s diploma and finishing regulation faculty, he nonetheless selected to pursue a profession within the business.
Completely happy Joe’s Pizza was the primary restaurant firm on the earth to create a Taco Pizza, in response to their web site. (Completely happy Joe’s Pizza / Unknown)
After a profession working with different eating places, he joined Completely happy Joe’s Pizza in 2020.
“I’m very snug within the business, however what actually excited me was within the DNA of Completely happy Joe’s. It’s all the time about household and it revolves round kids,” Sacco stated.
Sacco stated throughout a go to to Iowa earlier than he was set to go up the corporate, he walked round shops asking individuals in the event that they have been aware of the model. He defined that those that he spoke with “would go on and inform [him] all these magical recollections that they’d.”
“I stated to myself, ‘You recognize what? I’m gonna assist them as a result of it’s model, however I’m additionally gonna be egocentric,” Sacco shared. “I’m going to assist them as a result of I would like my household, my grandchildren, to develop up with the identical recollections that I used to be instructed by all these individuals.”
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In 2025, the corporate reported a “milestone yr” of progress and influence locally, in response to a launch shared with Fox Enterprise.
The model re-opened a franchise in New Ulm, Minn., with “renewed improvement efforts” supporting deliberate progress throughout Texas and Iowa, amongst different states. It is also increasing its West Coast presence, with a gap in Oro Valley, Ariz., within the spring.
“This yr confirmed what is feasible when franchisees, workforce members and visitors consider in that mission,” Sacco stated within the launch. “We expanded into new markets, earned recognition from our business and created significant moments for the communities we love. As we glance towards 2026, we’re dedicated to maintaining that spirit on the heart of every thing we do.”
The corporate debuted a meals truck in October 2025, in response to experiences. (Completely happy Joe’s Pizza / Unknown)
Whereas the corporate has reported large success over the previous few years, that doesn’t go with out experiencing routine inflationary pressures. Sacco shared that regardless of these pressures, he “resurrected” the unique merchandise that Whitty was utilizing simply previous to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So when all people was taking successful, we noticed an uptick in gross sales,” Sacco stated. “That uptick continued, actually, up till the tip of [2025].”
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Sacco stated that this effort felt like he was “going to go in opposition to the grain.”
“It was virtually like I used to be going to go in opposition to the grain, not as a result of I wanted to do one thing totally different, as a result of I believed that when the long-term franchisees have been saying, ‘Tom, if there’s something we are able to inform you, [it’s to] observe the recipe [Whitty] had,’” stated Sacco.
The model can also be deeply concerned in philanthropic work and neighborhood involvement. In accordance with their web site, the corporate has received quite a few awards and created quite a lot of applications to be able to “give again to the communities who’ve helped make [them] so profitable.”
The restaurant has numerous areas all through the Quad Cities space and is seeking to develop into Texas, Arizona and extra, in response to Sacco. (Completely happy Joe’s Pizza / Unknown)
In an emotional second, Sacco stated that whereas the corporate is a enterprise, “the calling [of Happy Joe’s Pizza] is a lot extra.”
The corporate hosts an annual occasion known as Completely happy Joe’s Vacation Events for Youngsters with Particular Wants. This yr, the corporate reported that roughly 2,000 kids have been in attendance. Sacco stated that these moments are what “juice him up” for the long run.
“It’s so touching to me to see these youngsters care that a lot a few pizza,” Sacco stated with tears in his eyes. “It’s not the pizza, it’s the magic that the pizza creates for them.”
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As the corporate continues progress efforts in 2026, Sacco stated he plans to proceed to be a “servant chief.”
“I attempt to be the perfect servant chief I will be. I attempt to lead by instance… For those who care, that’s what you do,” Sacco stated. “I believe bringing again caring to Completely happy Joe’s was one of many lacking parts.”
