Happy Joe's is an American pizza parlor chain based in Bettendorf, Iowa. The restaurant chain was founded in 1972 by Lawrence Joseph "Happy Joe" Whitty, a former Shakey's Pizza manager. Their United States locations are spread out across the Upper Midwest and Florida, with a location in Egypt, which opened in October 2022. In 2022, Happy Joe's has declared an intent over 10 years to open at least 25 locations across the Middle East and North Africa, including in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. The idea for Happy Joe's came from a combination of a pizza parlor and ice cream palace. On September 15, 2022, Happy Joe's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and would close several corporate-owned stores, although franchise-owned restaurants are not affected by the bankruptcy. Products Taco pizza Joseph Whitty's "Happy Joe's" claimed to be the first pizza restaurant to offer a taco pizza (a pizza with refried bean/tomato sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomato and taco chips). After a franchisee suggested adding tacos to the menu, Whitty invented the restaurant's best-selling product, the Taco Pizza. Breakfast pizza In 2005, Happy Joe's started offering breakfast pizzas at select locations. Flatbread pizza In 2013, Happy Joe's started offering flatbread pizzas. Gluten-free crusts Happy Joe's also offers gluten-free crusts, designed for those with gluten allergies. Birthday parties It also features outlandish birthday parties. He was inspired to include birthday parties in his restaurant concept after he got disciplined after hosting one at the Shakey's Pizza he managed. Joegurt Joegurt is the chain's signature ice cream product that combines ice cream with yogurt. It is available at all the locations including the Pizza Grille locations. It is not currently sold in grocery stores. History The chain was started in 1972 by Lawrence Joseph "Happy Joe" Whitty after he was disciplined for throwing a child a birthday party while working at Shakey's Pizza. Birthday parties became a centerpoint for the restaurant as did its signature taco pizza (claimed by the chain to be the first pizza place to offer such an item) and Joegurt (ice cream infused yogurt). In the 1980s, the chain had operated a location in Cairo, Egypt that was shaped like a boat and was situated on the Nile River. The chain has also expanded into other Midwestern markets with locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri, and Illinois along with their home-state of Iowa.