Happy Joe’s Spotlights Systemwide Success at 2026 Annual Conference

Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream
Published: May 22nd, 2026

Bettendorf event recognized franchisees, operators, vendors, support center staff, and community leaders from across the brand

May 22, 2026 // Franchising.com // DAVENPORT, Iowa — Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, the brand known for its inventive pizza and nostalgic, family-friendly atmosphere, recently celebrated its “Heroes of Hospitality” during the brand’s yearly meeting, recognizing individuals and locations that continue to shape guest experiences and restaurant success.

The program also honored milestone anniversaries, longtime partnerships, and the lasting contributions that continue to define the culture, connections, and traditions behind the Happy Joe’s brand. Among the evening’s most memorable awards were:

• Volunteer of the Year – Presented to Kate Holsen, who generously gave her time and talent to perform the National Anthem during Happy Joe’s gatherings, helping bring pride, warmth, and heart to special moments, volunteering her voice and spirit time and time again.
• Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation Bike Presentation – Presented to Baylor McFall and his family. Baylor, who lives with cerebral palsy, received a custom adaptive bike designed to help him ride alongside his siblings and friends while supporting mobility, exercise, and independence.
• Franchise Operator of the Year – Presented to Monte Derby, Ottumwa, Iowa, who achieved strong sales growth, maintained a 4.67-star Tattle rating, and demonstrated continued improvement across evaluations and guest feedback metrics.
• Top Marketer of the Year – Presented to the El Batran Family and their team (Franchisees in Egypt), who are celebrated for standout social media engagement, creative local marketing, and strong brand storytelling.

Additional honors throughout the evening included:

Community Recognition:

• Joe’s Spirit Award – Terri Hanold, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Warrior Spirit Award – Kari White, Clinton, Iowa
• Servant’s Heart Award – Mick, Erin, and Steve Mapes, East Moline and Rock Island, Illinois
• Community Outreach Award – Terri and Frank Hanold, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Franchise & Restaurant Leadership:

• HJNFB President Recognition Award – Jake Fee, Crookston, Minnesota
• Rookie Operator of the Year – Jaimie O’Neil, Kewanee, Illinois
• Rookie Head Coach of the Year – Jeromy Cox, Davenport, Iowa
• Best in Class Awards – 1. Burlington, Iowa; 2. Clinton, Iowa; 3. East Moline, Illinois; 4. Green Bay, Wisconsin; and 5. Crookston, Minnesota
• Excellence in Reinvestment Award – Terri and Frank Hanold, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Comeback of the Year – Travis Hermel, New Ulm, Minnesota

Sales & Marketing Performance:

• Top 3 Social Media Fanatics – 1. Fargo, North Dakota; 2. Clinton, Iowa; and 3. Crookston, Minnesota
• Top 3 Sales Growth Awards – 1. DeWitt, Iowa; 2. Ottumwa, Iowa; and 3. Dubuque (Century Boulevard), Iowa 
• Top 5 Dine-In Restaurants – 1. Dubuque (Century Boulevard), Iowa; 2. Bettendorf, Iowa; 3. Davenport (West 50th Street), Iowa; 4. Burlington, Iowa; and 5. Green Bay, Wisconsin
• 2024 Top Sales Per Square Foot Awards – 1. Moline, Illinois; 2. Dubuque (University Avenue), Iowa; and 3. Davenport (West Locust Street), Iowa
• 2025 Top Sales Per Square Foot Awards – 1. Moline, Illinois; 2. Dubuque (University Avenue), Iowa; and 3. LeClaire, Iowa

Partner & Support Center:

• Supplier of the Year – Sysco Foodservice
• Service Provider of the Year – Champion Management
• Brand Ambassador Award – Rich Henning, LeClaire, Iowa
• 2024 Support Center Team Member of the Year Awards – Ashley Balluff, vice president of training and culinary, and Jenny Culp, vice president of purchasing and supply chain
• 2025 Support Center Team Member of the Year Awards – Phil Pendleton, director of special projects, and Chris Anschutz, vice president of operations
• Support Center Warrior Spirit Award – Spencer Rabe, digital marketing director

Lifetime & Anniversary Honors:

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Mark Schmitt, co-owner, University Avenue and Century Blvd., Dubuque, Iowa
• 20-Year Gold Ring Awards – Sandy Green, Jenny Culp, Jodee Mickleson, Buck Moreno, Cody Pardon, and Shaylyn Ferrel
• 20+ Year Anniversaries – Stephanie Bailey (29), Nick Frederick (27), Steven Mapes (27), JoJo Schroeder (27), Ashley Balluff (27), Lisa Cervantes (26), Erin Crigger (26), Roger Bussan (25), Rick Schroeder (23), Sandy Green (21), Shaylyn Ferrel (21), Jodee Mickleson (20), Bucky Moreno (20), Jenny Culp (20), Cory Pardon (20)
• 30+ Year Anniversaries – Kevin and Lynn Kenady (39), Rich Henning (39), Monte Derby (38), Brandon White (36), Todd Halverson (35), Kristel Ersan (35), Mike and Cheryl Post (33), Jami Lilly (33), Will and Deb Brinkley (30)
• 40+ Year Anniversaries – Mark Schmitt (47), Dave Vanderginst (45), Doug Vanderginst (43), Darryl Schmitt (43), Dan Boland (43), Frank and Terri Hanold (40)
• 50+ Year Personal Anniversary – Mick & Jodi Mapes (52)

“This conference is always a reminder that the strength of our brand comes from the people behind it,” said Tom Sacco, chief executive officer and president. “What makes Happy Joe’s special has never been just the pizza — it’s the relationships built over generations, the familiar faces guests grow up with, and the people who continue showing up for their teams, their communities, and each other year after year. That kind of passion and commitment to excellence is what keeps our brand moving forward.”

The annual meeting underscored Happy Joe’s ongoing momentum as the brand continues investing in its restaurants, franchisees, and future, while carrying forward the personality and guest-first mindset that have made it a familiar part of hometowns for more than 50 years.

For more information about Happy Joe’s, visit happyjoes.com. For information on owning a Happy Joe’s Pizza franchise, contact Kat Davidson at KatD@drhnow.com, call 678.485.8413, or visit HappyJoesFranchising.com.

About Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream

Founded in 1972 by Joe Whitty in Davenport, Iowa, Happy Joe’s dream was to create a restaurant concept that focused on serving America’s two favorite foods – pizza and ice cream – in a family-friendly, celebratory environment. Owned and operated by Dynamic Restaurant Holdings Inc., Happy Joe’s has been named a Pizza Marketplace “Top 25” pizza brand,  FastCasual “Top 200” concept, Franchise Times “Top 400” business, and Nation’s Restaurant News “Top 500” restaurant. The family-centric, children’s-entertainment pizza franchise has three company-owned locations, 9 international locations throughout Egypt, and 35 domestic franchised locations throughout the Midwest and Southwest, with a Mendota Heights, Minnesota, location opening this summer and more in the pipeline. To learn more, visit HappyJoes.com or follow Happy Joe’s on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

SOURCE Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream