Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Secures First U.S. Real-Estate Location in Lubbock, Texas

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced that its brand Heal Wellness has secured its first U.S. real estate location in Lubbock, Texas, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy [1][3] - The Texas site is expected to cater to a growing demand for smoothie and açaí bowl offerings, supported by favorable demographics and a health-conscious consumer base [3][4] Expansion Strategy - The secured location in Texas is part of a broader plan to establish Heal Wellness as a leading smoothie and açaí bowl brand in North America, with a planned opening in 2026 [3][5] - Heal Wellness currently operates 27 locations and has over 168 in development, contributing to a total of 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across Happy Belly's portfolio [5] Market Dynamics - Texas is identified as a dynamic consumer market with strong population growth, a warm climate conducive to year-round smoothie consumption, and a robust health-and-fitness culture [3][4] - Lubbock, with a population of over 270,000 and proximity to Texas Tech University, is expected to provide a steady customer base for Heal Wellness [3][4] Business Model - Happy Belly employs an asset-light, franchise-driven growth model, which is demonstrated by the strategic site selection for Heal Wellness [4] - The company emphasizes a disciplined growth approach that aims to create long-term value for shareholders while expanding its brand presence in both Canada and the U.S. [7]