---
title: "Happy Joe’s Launches Hollie Matthys’ Scholarship Award"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/b2d403e2-1e5c-4549-9869-2b940a0476ef
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20241209_happy_joes_launches_hollie_matthys_scholarship_award.html
category: "Pizza"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Pizza"
published: 2024-12-09T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:32:36.346Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561758033-d89a9ad46330?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Happy Joe’s Launches Hollie Matthys’ Scholarship Award

**TL;DR:** Happy Joe's has announced the inaugural recipient of its Hollie Matthys' Scholarship Award, Makynzee Balluff, which supports employees' educational journeys with $500 per semester. The award was created in honor of Hollie Matthys, Happy Joe's former Chief Financial Officer.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2024-12-09. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20241209_happy_joes_launches_hollie_matthys_scholarship_award.html).*

## Story

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Happy Joe’s has announced the inaugural recipient of its recently created Hollie Matthys’ Scholarship Award: Makynzee Balluff. The award was designed to support all salaried or hourly employees who meet the criteria outlined in the employee handbook on their educational journeys. Recipients of the award are eligible to receive $500 per semester for tuition and expense support.

Named in honor of Hollie Matthys, who served as Happy Joe’s Chief Financial Officer for over 21 years, the scholarship reflects her commitment to the company and its mission of making a difference in people’s lives. Hollie’s journey with Happy Joe’s began early in her career when she was assigned to audit the company while working for a public accounting firm. Her admiration for the brand’s values and leadership, particularly its founder, "Happy" Joe Whitty, led her to eventually join the company in 2003.

“Our team is thrilled to honor Hollie’s legacy in such a meaningful way,” said CEO, President & Chief Happiness Officer Tom Sacco. “Her impact on our company was immeasurable, and this scholarship is a testament to her unwavering support for others”

Reflecting Happy Joe’s dedication to their team members, families and communities, this scholarship — awarded every semester — will support and encourage the dreams and goals of employees and their loved ones for generations to come.

Happy Joe’s is known for its specialty pizzas and Midwestern-inspired pies, like the Lollapalooza pepperoni pizza and the Taco Joe, a pizza with layers of ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, refried beans and taco sauce.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- QSR (sector)
- Happy Joe's (company)
- Tom Sacco (person)
- employee support (topic)
- scholarship award (topic)
- company mission (topic)
- Hollie Matthys (person)
- Makynzee Balluff (person)
- Happy Joe Whitty (person)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20241209_happy_joes_launches_hollie_matthys_scholarship_award.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/b2d403e2-1e5c-4549-9869-2b940a0476ef).