After making its debut in Florida last year, Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream is planning a move into another southern state: Texas.
The pizza concept has signed a new multi-unit franchise agreement with BB3 Hospitality Co. to bring multiple locations to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The expansion will mark the brand’s Texas debut, with the first location expected to open late 2027.
The deal marks a milestone moment for Happy Joe’s, which has spent more than 50 years building a loyal following across the Midwest and is now introducing its traditions to the Lone Star State. Known for its signature menu—including the fan-favorite Taco Pizza and Smoked BBQ Brisket Pizza, hand-tossed specialty pies, wings, and ice cream treats—the brand pairs family dining with a party atmosphere designed to bring people together and create lifelong memories.
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BB3 Hospitality Co. is led by husband-and-wife team Jeremy and Elizabeth Aune, seasoned entrepreneurs. For Jeremy, the partnership carries a personal connection: He grew up on Happy Joe’s in the Quad Cities, where the brand got its start. Elizabeth’s enthusiasm for the opportunity grew through conversations with Tom Sacco, president and chief happiness officer at Happy Joe’s.
“Seeing BB3 Hospitality Co. sign on for multiple locations across Dallas-Fort Worth is exactly the kind of momentum we hoped for when we opened up Texas for development,” Sacco said. “DFW is one of the fastest-growing markets in the country, with the population growth and family demographics we look for, and a family like the Aunes is who you want carrying that torch into a new state. I can’t wait to watch what they build—and I’ve got a feeling our Taco Pizza and Smoked BBQ Brisket Pizza are going to feel right at home in Texas.”
As area developers, the Aunes will oversee expansion efforts across Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties, with the ability to bring on additional franchisees within their assigned territory. The first Happy Joe’s under the new agreement is expected in late 2027, with additional locations to follow as the group builds out its multi-unit commitment.
On April 28, 2025, a new Happy Joe’s prototype restaurant opened its doors—and patio garage—in Navarre, Florida, and shattered sales records, making it the most successful franchise opening in the brand’s 52-year history, the company said.
