Executive Spotlight: Steve Jackson, President & CEO of Hungry Howie's Pizza (2027)
Steve Jackson is President and CEO of Hungry Howie's Pizza, the flavored-crust pizza chain headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan. He started as a pizza delivery driver for founder Jim Hearn in the early 1970s, became Hearn's partner in the second restaurant, and has led the company since 1981.
Hungry Howie's began in 1973 in a converted hamburger shop in Taylor, Michigan, and by April 2023 it reported more than 535 stores in 21 states. This page covers public professional information only, taken from pages read for this page.
Current role and company
Trade press from 2021 and 2023 identifies Jackson as President and CEO of Hungry Howie's. A Chain Store Guide snapshot of the company lists the Madison Heights headquarters and says he has been president since 1981.
- CompanyHungry Howie's Pizza, headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan.
- TitlePresident and CEO. The Chain Store Guide snapshot (2013) says he has been president since 1981.
- Known forFlavored-crust pizza, sold through a franchise system.
- FootprintAbout 550 locations in 21 states (Franchise Update, November 2021); more than 535 stores in 21 states (company release, April 2023).
Career path
- Early 1970s, delivery driver. He began delivering pizza for Jim Hearn, who had opened a pizzeria in Taylor, Michigan in 1973 by converting a 1,000-square-foot hamburger shop.
- College and Ford. He studied to become a teacher at Eastern Michigan University and, with teaching jobs scarce, worked at Ford Motor Company. In his words, he "entered the pizza business by default, because it was plan B."
- 1976, second restaurant. He left Ford and opened the company's second location in partnership with Hearn, which became the start of Hungry Howie's. Franchise Times reports he suggested the name, a riff on a nickname for Hearn after Howard Hughes.
- 1982 to 1983, franchising. 1851 Franchise reports the company began franchising in 1982 after consulting a lawyer and awarded its first franchise in 1983. Jackson says he urged Hearn to franchise the concept.
- 1981 onward, leading the company. Chain Store Guide says he has been president since 1981, and Franchise Times describes him as leading the brand from that year.
- Around 2010, brand reinvention. Franchise Times says he began a major brand reinvention after the recession slowed growth and closed several stores.
What Jackson is known for
- Building a franchise system. 1851 Franchise reports 65 franchises opened within three years of the first award, more than 160 units by the end of the 1980s, a 300th location in 1995 and a 400th in 1999. Franchise Times says the chain passed 500 stores in the early 2000s.
- Industry recognition. Pizza Today named Hungry Howie's its Chain of the Year in 2004, according to 1851 Franchise.
- Digital ordering. In 2017 Franchise Times reported online orders above 35 percent of the total, with in-house data showing online customers spending 25 percent more than phone customers.
- Steady same-store sales. Jackson said in September 2018 that the company had completed 33 quarters of same-store sales increases. Franchise Times counted 28 consecutive quarters in 2017.
- Pandemic performance. In 2021 he said customers had increased the average ticket close to 20 percent.
- Love, Hope and Pizza. Each October the chain prints pink pizza boxes and gives a portion of sales to breast cancer awareness charities; 1851 Franchise reported close to $2 million raised as of 2017.
Leadership style and philosophy
These are Jackson's own words as quoted in trade press, with the year of each.
- On leadership (2021). "I have become a better leader by surrounding myself with good people." He also said that "respect is earned" and that it is equally important for a CEO to show respect.
- On the early days (2017). "We may have known very little about franchising at the time, but we did have an unrelenting drive."
- On patience (2017). "Running a successful business requires patience."
- On purpose (2018). He described the focus as to "provide people the opportunity to enrich their lives and their communities."
- On company values. The company lists its core values as treat everyone like family, have integrity, do what you say, be hungry for growth, and have positive energy.
- On the 50th year (2023). "50-years is a milestone that few companies are able to reach."
Key numbers
Figures are company-reported or from trade press, each with its period. They are not audited.
- 1973 (company-reported)Hungry Howie's founded in Taylor, Michigan.
- 1983 (1851 Franchise)First franchise awarded.
- 1995 and 1999 (1851 Franchise)300th and 400th locations.
- 2017 (Franchise Times)About 550 units; 75 percent of franchisees own more than one location.
- November 2021 (Franchise Update)About 550 locations in 21 states.
- April 2023 (company release)More than 535 stores in 21 states.
Questions people ask
Who is Steve Jackson of Hungry Howie's?
Steve Jackson is President and CEO of Hungry Howie's Pizza, the Madison Heights, Michigan chain. He began as a delivery driver for founder Jim Hearn and has led the company since 1981.
When was Hungry Howie's founded?
Hungry Howie's began in 1973, when Jim Hearn converted a 1,000-square-foot hamburger shop in Taylor, Michigan into a pizza carryout and delivery restaurant.
How did Hungry Howie's get its name?
Franchise Times reports that Jackson suggested the name, a riff on his nickname for Hearn after Howard Hughes. 1851 Franchise quotes the explanation that they thought Hughes was the most successful person they knew.
How many locations does Hungry Howie's have?
A company release in April 2023 cited more than 535 stores in 21 states. Franchise Update reported about 550 locations in November 2021.
When did Hungry Howie's start franchising?
1851 Franchise reports the company began franchising in 1982 and awarded its first franchise in 1983.
Sources
- Franchising.com: Pizza Pioneer Steve Jackson Has Been a Part of Hungry Howie's Since 1973 (Nov 8, 2021) · Role, early career, pandemic ticket, quotes; source of the hero photo
- Franchise Times: From delivery boy to Hungry Howie's chief exec (May 24, 2017) · Career path, name origin, 2017 metrics, quotes
- 1851 Franchise: How Steve Jackson grew a mom-and-pop pizzeria to a 550-plus location franchise (Apr 7, 2017) · Franchising timeline, growth milestones, Love, Hope and Pizza, quotes
- 1851 Franchise: Franchise Development Leader: Steve Jackson, CEO of Hungry Howie's (Sep 18, 2018) · Same-store sales streak, purpose quote
- Franchising.com: Hungry Howie's Celebrates 50 Years With a Limited-Time '73 Classic Pizza (Apr 26, 2023) · 2023 store count, 21 states, 50-year quote
- Chain Store Guide: Hungry Howie's snapshot (updated Sep 30, 2013) · President since 1981, Madison Heights headquarters
Facts were read from the linked pages on November 1, 2026. Titles and counts are as of the dates shown and may have changed; the sources reviewed did not confirm current 2026 unit counts. The hero photo is the solo portrait that leads the Franchising.com profile titled for Steve Jackson, with the image alt text naming him. It is cropped to Jackson alone and centered on a blurred card. Photo: Hungry Howie's (via Franchising.com). This page covers public professional information only.
Top photo: Hungry Howie's (via Franchising.com)