The Hungry Howie’s story began in 1973 when Jim Hearn converted a 1,000 square foot hamburger shop in Taylor, Michigan into a successful carry-out and delivery pizzeria. At the time, Steve Jackson delivered pizzas for Hearn. Over the years, their partnership would evolve into what Hungry Howie’s is today. How does a single-store pizza operation become a successful multi-unit competitor in the pizza delivery industry? Steve Jackson says, “It takes a fierce desire to succeed in one of the toughest food segments. Major elements in our strategy include excellent products, superior customer service and the marketing savvy to compete against the national pizza chains.”In 1982, Jackson and Hearn made a decision to franchise their operation. In January 1983, they awarded their first Hungry Howie’s franchise. Within the next three years, 65 pizza franchises were opened within the Hungry Howie’s system. The company ended the 1980s with over 160 units, and opened its 300th location in 1995, and 400th in 1999. In 2004, Hungry Howie’s was awarded “Chain of the Year” by Pizza Today magazine and opened their 500th pizza location in 2005.The Hungry Howie’s story began in 1973 when Jim Hearn converted a 1,000 square foot hamburger shop in Taylor, Michigan into a successful carry-out and delivery pizzeria. At the time, Steve Jackson delivered pizzas for Hearn. Over the years, their partnership would evolve into what Hungry Howie’s is today. How does a single-store pizza operation become a successful multi-unit competitor in the pizza delivery industry? Steve Jackson says, “It takes a fierce desire to succeed in one of the toughest food segments. Major elements in our strategy include excellent products, superior customer service and the marketing savvy to compete against the national pizza chains.”In 1982, Jackson and Hearn made a decision to franchise their operation. In January 1983, they awarded their first Hungry Howie’s franchise. Within the next three years, 65 pizza franchises were opened within the Hungry Howie’s system. The company ended the 1980s with over 160 units, and opened its 300th location in 1995, and 400th in 1999. In 2004, Hungry Howie’s was awarded “Chain of the Year” by Pizza Today magazine and opened their 500th pizza location in 2005.