Happy Joe’s Spotlights Systemwide Success at 2026 Annual Conference

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.

• 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.

• 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:

• 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

• 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 – Burlington, Clinton, East Moline, Green Bay, and Crookston

• Excellence in Reinvestment Award – Terri and Frank Hanold, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Comeback of the Year – Travis Hermel, New Ulm, Minnesota

• Social media engagement leaders – Fargo, North Dakota; Clinton, Iowa; and Crookston, Minnesota

• Sales growth awards – DeWitt, Iowa; Ottumwa, Iowa; and Dubuque (Century Boulevard), Iowa

• Dine-in restaurant leaders – Dubuque (Century Boulevard), Iowa; Bettendorf, Iowa; Davenport (West 50th Street), Iowa; Burlington, Iowa; and Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Sales per square foot awards – Moline, Illinois; Dubuque (University Avenue), Iowa; and Davenport (West Locust Street), Iowa

• Sales per square foot awards – Moline, Illinois; Dubuque (University Avenue), Iowa; and LeClaire, Iowa

• 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 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 ongoing momentum as the brand maintains activities across its restaurants, partners, and communities, while continuing a guest-first mindset that has made it a familiar part of hometowns for more than 50 years.