Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream in Navarre seeks a place in your happiest memories

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect a change in employment application instructions at Happy Joe's.

Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream may not be a household name for Floridians just yet, but Iowa-based restaurant franchise is looking to change that with its first Florida location at 2502 State Road 87 South in Navarre slated to open by the month’s end.

The restaurant, founded in 1972 by the restaurant’s namesake, Joe Whitty, has since spread to nearly 50 locations across the United States. The Navarre restaurant is being opened by franchisees Jennifer and Jeff Harding.

While each location varies in design, Whitty’s philosophy of cultivating community and fun is consistently carried over.

“It is a happy place. We don't take that lightly that we're called Happy Joe’s,” Jennifer Harding said.

For her family, Happy Joe’s has always been the go-to place to celebrate a win after a sports game (or sometimes cheer up after a loss) or make you feel extra special with songs and sirens on your birthday. The restaurants often celebrate the community by hanging customers photos on the wall.

Harding remembers seeing her own volleyball photo hanging up in her own home location in Iowa, then watched as her oldest son’s photo was hung on the restaurant's walls after her.

“The pictures are of kids that have grown up here, you know, and are willing to allow us to put their pictures up in our restaurant. And that's what we're wanting to start here as well with Navarre,” restaurant operator Jonah Hill said. “We want all of the community here to allow us to create those memories for them here.”

Harding added, “Happy Joe's is obsessed with the communities that we're able to serve. Obsessed about community involvement.”

The restaurant is designed to be a “happy place” with squiggly doorframes, vibrant paint colors and a full arcade room with a prize counter. However, it also caters to adults looking to enjoy a craft pizza with a selection of beer and wine to sip on the expansive outdoor patio.

The Navarre location is extra special because it will be the first Happy Joe’s location built from the ground up and will set the tone for design plans of future locations. It comes equipped with an arcade, two bars, a drive-thru and an outdoor patio with slide-up garage doors.

Happy's Joe comes to Navarre: Popular Midwest restaurant is opening first Florida location in Navarre

“Happy Joe's went through a rebranding look just a couple years ago when our new CEO came on board, and this is the first new build with that look,” Hill said.

“This room here, this is, I think, what everybody's most happy about,” Harding said, gesturing toward a cherry red painted arcade room. “There's not a lot to do for kids around here. So, this will be a little arcade room that we have for kids … the whole point is, this is a safe, happy place, right? So parents can be sitting here, eating, having conversations, and their kids are in here playing, and they're running around, and in eye distance.”

Hill noted, “We've got a two-seater Mario Kart game that's going along the back wall that I think will just be a huge hit for the kids here.”

Aside from the family-friendly experience, the Navarre Happy Joe’s will carry over the menu features regulars have fallen in love with, including their generous all-you-can-eat lunch buffets and their signature taco pizza.

Happy Joe’s claims credit for coining the taco pizza, made with a special refried bean sauce, taco-seasoned beef and sausage and topped with lettuce and tomatoes.

Hill said part of the novelty and fun of the experience is all of the different pizza creations with ingredients that don’t initially seem like they should be on a pizza, but absolutely work. One prime example is the “Happy Joe’s Special” topped with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut.

While pizza tends to be thought of as a lunch or dinner time meal, Happy Joe’s is changing the narrative with its breakfast menu with features like their Denver Omelet Pizza, breakfast burritos and decadent cinnamon rolls.

Pizzas are without a doubt a Happy Joe’s specialty, but the menu also includes other items such as salads, subs, burgers and pasta dishes.

While they are getting close to opening day, they are looking to hire 50 to 60 additional team members to go through training. Those interested can apply online at www.happyjoes.com.

More updates and information can be found on the Happy Joe’s website.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream to open in Navarre this month