Best Franchises to Consider for a Lucrative Investment in 2024

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Tom Sacco: Crafting "Happy Places" and Magical Memories in the Pizza Industry

InthisspecialeditionofTheEntrepreneurTimes,wearedelightedtopresentourcoverstory featuringTomSacco,thevisionaryChiefHappinessOfficer,CEO,andPresidentatHappy Joe’sPizzaandTonySacco’sCoalOvenKitchen.Tom’sextraordinaryjourneythroughthe realmsofpizzaindustryleadership,innovativeentrepreneurship,andcommitmentto creatingjoyousexperiencesformsthecornerstoneofourexplorationintothebestfranchises foralucrativeinvestmentin2024.

Aswediveintotheinterview,readerswillgainexclusiveinsightsintoTomSacco'smultifacetedrole,hisuniqueconceptofbeinga"ChiefHappinessOfficer,"andthekeyfactors thathavepropelledHappyJoe’sPizzatoattainvariousrecognitionsandrankings.Fromthe heartfeltinfluenceofhisgrandfathertonavigatingtheintricaciesoftherestaurantindustry, Sacco'snarrativeisatestamenttothepowerofpassion,service,andaServant'sHeart.

ThiseditionunfoldsthestrategiesbehindthesuccessfulexpansionofHappyJoe’sPizza acrosstheU.S.andinternationally,emphasizingthesignificanceofemotionalconnections withguests.Tom’scandidrevelationsonpeopledevelopment,mentorship,andhis distinctiveapproachtoinnovationinmenudevelopmentprovidevaluableinsightsfor aspiringleadersintherestaurantindustry

WedelveintothelessonslearnedfromSacco'svastexperienceinFastCasualandCasual Diningindustryleadership,exploringhisuniqueperspectiveondrivingrevenueandthe crucialroleofpeopleskillsinensuringthesuccessandgrowthofarestaurantconcept.

Aswelooktowardsthefuture,TomSaccoshareshisvisionfortherestaurantindustry, offeringpredictionsontrendsthatwillshapeitsevolutioninthecomingyears.His commitmenttoexcellence,sustainability,andthecreationof"HappyPlaces"forfamilies positionsHappyJoe’sPizzaasastandoutfranchiseinthecompetitivelandscape.

Inthespiritofourtheme,"BestFranchisestoConsiderforaLucrativeInvestmentin2024," TomSacco’sstoryservesasabeaconforpotentialinvestorsseekingnotonlyfinancial successbutameaningfulandjoyfuljourneyintheworldoffranchising.

Weinviteourreaderstosavorthewisdom,experiences,andvisionaryoutlookofTomSacco asweexploretheextraordinarysuccessstoryofHappyJoe’sPizza—aninvestment opportunitythatgoesbeyondprofitstodeliverhappiness.

Wishingyouinsightfulreadingandinspiredentrepreneurialpursuits,

C O N T E N T S

Tom Sacco - Chief Happiness Officer, CEO & President at Happy Joe’s Pizza, CEO & President at Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Kitchen

Miranda Mapleton, CEO, White Swan

Vision to Venture: Crafting Your Entrepreneurial Path

Michele Thwaits - Virtual Assistant | Professional Speaker | Coach,Empowered 4 Success

The Art of Risk: Embracing Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship

Tom Sacco

In a candid interview with Tom Sacco, the Chief Happiness Officer, CEO, and President at Happy Joe’sPizzaandTonySacco’sCoalOvenKitchen,we explorehismulti-facetedrole,theconceptofleading with a "Servant's Heart" in today’s restaurant industry, and the key factors contributing to Happy Joe’ssuccess.

OverviewofRoleandVision:

Tom Sacco’s role involves strategically positioning Happy Joe’s Pizza and Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Kitchenasleadersintheirrespectivepizzaindustry sub-segments. From menu innovation to international expansion, Tom focuses on creating "Happy Places" for families with young children through a holistic approach encompassing food, design,technology,andcommunityinvolvement.

ChiefHappinessOfficerConcept:

The concept of being a "Chief Happiness Officer" is rooted in leading with a Servant’s Heart. Tom's vision revolves around creating"HappyPlaces"forbothchildrenandadults.Thefocusis onservingothersthroughfood,design,hospitality,andcommunity engagement, ensuring guests, staff, shareholders, and vendors are prioritized.

KeyFactorsforSuccess:

Happy Joe’s Pizza has garnered numerous recognitions and rankings.AccordingtoTom,thesuccessisattributedtoreturningto the Franchisee First approach Focusing on the fundamentals, executinggreattastingfood,extending“Best-in-Class”hospitality, developinguniquerecipes,andcreatingmagicalmemoriesforthe guests. Staying relevant, accommodating, and resonating with today’sconsumers,especiallymoms,isanotherkeyfactor.

Servant'sHeartinExpansion:

Leading with a Servant’s Heart is pivotal in the brand’s expansion strategy Creating positive, "Happy" experiencesforchildrengloballyisnotonlyapositiveinfluencebutalsoextendstophilanthropy,benefiting lessfortunatechildreninthecommunitiesHappyJoe’sexpandsinto.

PeopleDevelopmentandMentorship:

Tom'sapproachtopeopledevelopmentisunique—heprioritizesattitudeandcharacteroverskills.Leading withaServant’sHeart,hebelievesinteachingskillstogainexperiencewhileemphasizingtheimportance of hiring people that bring passion, a Servant’s Heart, and aWarrior Spirit which allows them to put the team, guests, and vendors first. Tom builds open, candid, trusting relationships with his guests, team, franchisee,vendors,andshareholders.Everythingandanythingcanbeopenlyandfranklydiscussed.

InnovationinMenuDevelopment:

Beingastudentoftheindustry,Tomstaysinnovativebyobserving,listening,studying,andtasting.Having agoodstreakofpredictingconsumerpreferences,hehumblyattributeshissuccessinmenuideationtoa combinationofluckandunderstandingguestpreferences.

DrivingRevenueLessons:

Listening to your guests and delivering 110% of what they want, whether it is menu items, hours of operation, pricing concerns, service, and hospitality, and then give them more than they expected. The lessons Tom has learned over time haveresultedinsignificantsalesandprofitincreasesalongwith improvedshareholdervaluations.Guestsatisfactionisthekey driver,andprovidingthebestversionofwhattheguestwants consistentlyleadstorevenuegrowth.

Grandfather’sInfluence:

Tom'sgrandfather,TonySacco,impartedsimpleyetprofound adviceinmentoringandteachinghisgrandsoninthekitchenof his restaurant focus on quality, be it in food, service, experience, and memories. Tom lives by this advice daily, shaping his business strategy around maintaining the highest qualityinallaspectshasbeenasuccessfulformulafor40years.

BalancingFamilyandCareer:

Balancing a family-focused life with a demanding executive career became easier for Tom as he learned from his life partner, Gwen Her mentoring and direction helped him understand the importance of balancing family and career, making him a better leader, a compassionate warrior, a wonderfulhusband,andastrongfamilyman.

CrucialSkillforSuccess:

Amongvariousskills,Tomconsiderspeopleskillsasthemost crucial for ensuring success and growth. Collaborating with others,overcomingchallenges,listeningtotheinputofothers, and collectively achieving goals are guided by his effective peopleskills.

TransformationalChangeManagement:

Tom shares a transformative experience in turning around a struggling national brand or growing an emerging brand. By listening to his franchise owners, restaurant operators, and implementingacomprehensiveplanbasedontheirinput,Tom identified the critical elements that needed to be modified, transformed, and improved, his brands have made significant strides going from losses to growing profits, ultimately succeedinginhighlychallengingsituations.

PrioritiesforHappyJoe’sExpansion:

AsHappyJoe’sPizzaandIceCreamexpandacrossNorthAmerica aswellasInternationally,Tom’sprioritiesaretomaintain“Best-inClass” status, stay Franchisee-First-Focused, and ensuring sustainedexcellence.Growthinitiativesarealignedwithsustaining excellence, emphasizing a much higher calling which is the creation of magical, memorable experiences for children driving thetopandbottomlines.

FutureTrendsintheRestaurantIndustry:

Tomforeseestherestaurantindustrycontinuingtoevolve basedon consumerchangingdemands,withafocusonwhere,when,what, andwhypeoplechoosetoeatout.Automationmightplayabigger role in addressing labour challenges, positively impacting the industry.

ConnectingEmotionallywithGuests:

Inanindustryoftentransactional,HappyJoe’saddressesthechallenge ofemotionalconnection.Trainingteammemberstoreadtheroom, engageemotionally,andgoaboveandbeyondcreatespositive, memorableexperiencesthatresonatewithguestsofallages.

AdviceforAspiringLeaders:

Tom’sadviceforaspiringleadersistoentertheindustrywithapassion forservice,leadingwithaServant’sHeart.YourPassion, Servant’s Heart,andWarriorSpiritshouldguideone’sjourney. Stayingtrueto thesevalueswillcontributepositivelytotheindustry'sfutureandhelp youfulfilyourown.

ClosingThoughtsonHappyJoe’sLegacy:

Inclosing,TomexpressesahopethatHappyJoe’sPizza&IceCream willberecognizedforthemagicalmemoriescreatedforfamiliesand childrenworldwide.Sellingmorethangreatpizza,HappyJoe’saimsto berememberedforthejoyandhappinessithasbroughttogenerations, notjustgreatpizza&icecream

TomSacco’sjourneyexemplifiesacommitmenttoservice,leadership withaServant’sHeart,andalegacyofcreating"HappyPlaces"and magicalmemoriesinthepizzaindustry.

Miranda Mapleton CEO, White Swan

Miranda Mapleton, the Founder of White

Swan,hasamassedover20yearsofseniorlevelexperienceinpremierbusinessessuch as PepsiCo, Mars, and Miele. Her remarkable journey fromaMarketingDirectoratmultinationalcorporations to the helm of a global charity showcases her strategic prowess and commitment to making a positive impact onsociety.

PinnacleMomentsinCorporateLeadership:

Miranda's leadership journey began at PepsiCo, where she spearheaded a major reinvigoration strategy, delivering five consecutive years of growth on the WalkersCrispsbrand(oneofPepsiCo’sbiggestglobal brands). Notably, her award-winning marketing campaigns,includingtherenowned"DoUsAFlavour," captured the nation's attention. Miranda's ability to engage the entire organization in transformative initiatives, reducing R&D time and inspiring reinvention,setthestageforherimpactfulcareer

Transitioning to Mars as Marketing Director Petcare, Miranda broadened her leadership experience within the Global Marketing community. She led a team in developinganew4-yearcommercialbusinessstrategy, revitalizing the portfolio, and steering global communications for major Petcare brands. Her role at MoneySuperMarket (MSM) added eCommerce expertisetoherrepertoire,whereshesuccessfullyleda strategic transformation to expand and accelerate growth.

Miranda's journey took a unique turn when she joined forces with Steve King, co-founder and CEO of Black SwanDataLtd,toestablishWhiteSwan.Motivatedbya desire to make a positive difference in health and wellness,Mirandaembracedthechallengeoffounding an organization from scratch Today, White Swan operates globally, boasting a dedicated team, Board of Trustees,ClinicalAdvisors,andover130volunteers.

StrategicExpertiseAcrossIndustries:

Miranda's diverse experiences across FMCG, eCommerce, Health Tech/AI, and the charity sector havehonedherstrategicandcommercialexpertise.Her

positive, action-oriented attitude remains a constant, coupled with a keen ability to inspire and engage teams. Transitioning between sectors has further sharpened her strategic acumen, evident in her role at White Swan, where she started with a blank sheet in an entirely new industry.

LeadershipandTeamEngagement:

Miranda'sleadershipstylecentersonpositivity,openness, and a people-oriented approach. Recognizing engagement as a key success metric, she emphasizes intentional efforts to foster a positive organizational culture.Herabilitytosetandachieveengagementgoals, following Gallup key principles, underscores her commitmenttobuildingcohesiveandmotivatedteams.

NavigatingChallengesandDrivingTransformation:

Miranda's track record includes successfully leading teams through strategic transformation in multiple businesses, delivering consistent business and people results, and driving growth in both mature and new markets. Her adaptive approach to rapidly changing landscapes showcases her ability to navigate challenges andseizeopportunities.

BuildingSuccessfulCross-SectorPartnerships:

Atestament to Miranda's partnership-building skills has been White Swan's collaboration with multiple organisationsandindividuals. Oneparticularlyimportant collaborationhasbeenwithaConsultantRheumatologist attheRoyalUnitedHospital.Thispartnership,focusedon accelerating the diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis, resulted in a co-authored paper, showcasing the organization's capabilities and commitment to creating impactfulcross-sectorcollaborations.

GlobalScalingandMissionAlignment:

Scaling White Swan globally presented challenges, but Miranda'scommitmenttoaligningwiththecharity'score mission prevailed. The governance structure ensures all activitiesalignwiththemissionofimprovinghealthusing technologyandanalytics.Livingbyvalueshasbeenkey to retaining the founding group of volunteers and maintainingfocusamidgrowth.

Purpose-DrivenMarketingandAIforHealth:

Miranda'sapproachtodevelopingavisionandstrategyfor White Swan involves leveragingAI and analytics through the Million Minds platform. This proprietary technology combines social data with AI to create patient-orientated actionable health insights, accelerating diagnosis, improving clinical trial design and new treatments, and informingresearchpriorities.

BalancingCommitmentsandFuturePlans:

Miranda's energy and passion drive her ability to balance roles at White Swan and freelance commercial and marketingconsultancywork.Lookingahead,WhiteSwan's key initiatives include expanding Million Minds' capabilities and adopting a more agile approach to meet evolvingclientneedswithnewinsightsofferings.

SupportingWhiteSwan'sMission:

Individuals and organizations can contribute to White Swan's mission through donations, introductions, or volunteering time. For those eager to make a positive impact on healthcare, reach out to White Swan at hello@whiteswan.org.uk which offers an opportunity to support.

InspirationfromPersonalStories:

Miranda's commitment toWhiteSwan's mission is deeply rooted in personal stories of transformation. Julie King (sister to Steve King), went from being wheelchair-bound and facing a life-threatening condition to completing a triathlon after a correct diagnosis enabled by the same technologythatunderpinsallofWhiteSwan’sworktoday. ThisinspiredthestartoftheWhiteSwancharityandserves as a powerful reminder of the impact that timely and accurate healthcare interventions can have. Her story continuestobeadrivingforcebehindtheongoingworkat WhiteSwan.

LivingValuesandCorporateSocialResponsibility:

MirandaemphasizesthatthesuccessofWhiteSwanisnot just measured in terms of achievements but is deeply intertwined with the organization's values. As a charity, White Swan's governance structure ensures that every

activity aligns with the charitable mission of improving health through technology and analytics. The enduring commitment to values is evident in the longevity of volunteers and staff, fostering a culture that transcends organizationalgrowth.

LeveragingAIforSocietalHealth:

White Swan's proprietary AI health insights platform, Million Minds, stands as a testament to Miranda's dedication to leveraging technology for societal health. The platform analyzes vast amounts of social data, providing actionable insights into various health conditions By understanding patient perspectives at scale, Million Minds has become a powerful tool for acceleratingdiagnosesimprovingclinicaltrialdesignand new treatments, informing research priorities, and influencingpolicydecisions.

SuccessStoriesofImpact:

One remarkable success story involves White Swan's collaboration with a Consultant at Birmingham University Hospital. Focused on Hypertrophic Cardiography, a rare cardiac condition often undetected until a cardiac arrest, the team analyzed social conversations.Theresultingcorrelationgraphhighlighted the relationships between early symptoms and theWhite SwanteamidentifiedSportsTeachers/Coachesascrucial audiences for education. This groundbreaking approach exemplifieshowinnovativeusesoftechnologycanleadto tangibleimprovementsinhealthcareoutcomes.

Conclusion: A Visionary Leader Driving Positive Change:

Miranda Mapleton's journey from corporate success to founding White Swan exemplifies visionary leadership and a commitment to driving positive change in healthcare. Her strategic acumen, dedication to team engagement,andtheimpactfuluseofAIandanalyticsat White Swan showcase the potential for transformative approaches to societal health As the organization continues to evolve and expand its reach, Miranda's leadership remains at the forefront of a mission-driven initiativethatseekstoimprovethehealthandwell-being ofcommunitiesworldwide.

Michele Thwaits

Tom Sacco, Chief Happiness Officer, CEO & President at Happy Joe’s Pizza, CEO & President at Tony Sacco’s Coal Oven Kitchen - Crafting "Happy Places" and Magical Memories in the Pizza Industry