Cold Stone Creamery plans to expand its presence in the Greater Houston Area in the US state of Texas, identifying the region as a prime market for franchise development. The US ice cream parlour chain aims to open 10 new outlets in the area by 2030. The expansion will particularly focus on the cities of Baytown, Humble, Missouri City, Pasadena, Rosenberg and Tomball. Cold Stone Creamery Brand leader Blake Borwick stated: "Houston is a vastly diverse market with communities that know and love Cold Stone ...

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced the signing of a real-estate location for its brand Heal Wellness in Montreal, Quebec, with a targeted opening in Q1 2026 [1][3] - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, marking a significant step in its coast-to-coast expansion [1][4] Company Expansion - The new location in Quebec is part of Heal Wellness's strategy to establish a footprint in a key growth market, supported by multiple franchise partners in the region [3][4] - Happy Belly currently has 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across all its emerging brands, with plans to expand this pipeline significantly in the latter half of 2025 and into 2026 [6] Brand Vision - Heal Wellness aims to become North America's leading smoothie bowl chain, focusing on strong unit economics and scalability [4] - The company has 27 locations already operating and 168 more in development, indicating a robust growth trajectory [4]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced a franchise agreement for Heal Wellness in midtown Toronto, marking a significant step in expanding its brand presence in the quick-service restaurant sector focused on wellness foods [1][3][10] Company Overview - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is recognized as a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada [10] - The company currently has 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its portfolio, which includes brands in various stages of development [5] Heal Wellness Brand - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, aiming to establish itself as North America's leading smoothie bowl chain [3][7] - The brand emphasizes the use of superfood ingredients in its offerings, catering to health-conscious consumers [7] Growth Strategy - The company plans to drive organic growth and expand its franchise pipeline significantly in the latter half of 2025 and into 2026 [5][3] - Heal Wellness has 27 locations currently operating and 168 more in development, indicating a robust growth trajectory [3]

DURANGO, Colo., Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. (Nasdaq: RMCF) (the “Company”, “we”, or “RMCF”), America’s Chocolatier™ and a leading franchiser of a premium chocolate and confectionary retail store concept, today announced plans to expand its footprint with two new locations at Palladio Mall in Folsom, California, and the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets® in Tinton Falls, NJ. These new stores represent continued progress in RMCF’s strategic expansion, bringing handcraft ...

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has secured its first location for the Heal Wellness brand on Vancouver Island, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy under a multi-unit franchise agreement for five stores [1][3][4]. Company Expansion - The first Heal Wellness location will be at University Heights Shopping Centre, with construction set to begin in Q1 2026 [1]. - The company currently has 616 retail locations under contract, indicating a robust franchise pipeline and disciplined growth objectives through 2026 [6]. Market Fit - Vancouver Island's demographics align well with Heal Wellness's offerings, which focus on clean, healthy, and convenient food options [4]. - The region's health-conscious population and active outdoor lifestyle create a prime market for Heal Wellness's smoothie and açaí bowl products [4]. Brand Vision - The company aims to establish Heal Wellness as the leading acai bowl and smoothie brand in Canada, leveraging its franchise support system and strong operator partnerships [4][6].

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has signed a franchise agreement for a new Heal Wellness location in Calgary's Britannia neighborhood, marking the 7th location in Calgary and the 10th in Alberta, as part of a 15-unit expansion plan across the province [1][3][4] - The new location is expected to open in Q4 of this year, alongside several other stores currently under construction, indicating strong growth momentum for Heal Wellness and the broader Happy Belly portfolio [3][4] - Heal Wellness is positioned as Canada's first national smoothie bowl brand, with increasing brand awareness and loyalty across new markets, supported by a robust franchise system [4][8] Company Expansion - The company has secured 195 units for Heal Wellness under development agreements across Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island, setting the stage for continued expansion [8] - Happy Belly's portfolio includes 616 retail locations under contract, with a focus on disciplined growth through strategic partnerships and prime real estate selection [9] - The company emphasizes a blend of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to drive measurable results and reinforce brand scalability [4][9] Market Positioning - The new Britannia location is strategically chosen for its mix of residential and commercial areas, ensuring a steady flow of customers seeking healthy dining options [5] - The community's health-conscious demographic aligns well with Heal Wellness's menu offerings, which include smoothie bowls and superfood ingredients [5][10] - The company's asset-light approach and strong franchise engagement are seen as key factors in unlocking value for stakeholders and signaling long-term growth potential [4][9]

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has signed its second franchise agreement in Atlantic Canada, specifically in Halifax, Nova Scotia, marking a significant step in its national expansion strategy [1][6]. Company Expansion - The new franchise agreement in Halifax is Heal Wellness's 52nd franchise agreement and represents the fifth operating province for the brand and the sixth province overall for Happy Belly [1]. - The company is currently developing multiple units in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, with a total of 130 units secured under development agreements [3][4]. - The area developer, David Wilson, has been instrumental in the early stages of the Atlantic Canada expansion, leveraging local connections to yield results [3]. Growth Strategy - Happy Belly's disciplined approach to both organic and inorganic growth has been a driving force behind its success, focusing on delivering quality products, collaborating with great people, and establishing sustainable processes [4]. - The company is actively sourcing real estate in Atlantic Canada for new franchisees, with Blueberry Commercial Real Estate leading the location search [3][4]. Product Offering - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies, catering to a busy and active lifestyle with a focus on superfood ingredients [7][8].

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has opened its 22nd Heal Wellness location at the University of Calgary's University District, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy [1][2] - The company aims to accelerate growth through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions, with a focus on expanding its franchise network across Canada [5][6] Expansion Strategy - The new Heal Wellness location is the 7th in Alberta and the 10th in Western Canada, contributing to a total of 54 restaurants in the company's network [2] - Happy Belly has 531 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its emerging brands, indicating a robust pipeline for future growth [5] Market Positioning - The University District, with over 38,000 students, presents a significant opportunity for Heal Wellness to capture a large customer base focused on healthy eating [6][7] - The community's design promotes healthy lifestyles, which aligns with Heal's mission to provide quick, fresh wellness foods [7][8] Product Offering - Heal Wellness specializes in smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies, emphasizing the use of superfood ingredients to support an active lifestyle [8]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness brand has signed its 50th franchise agreement in Grande Prairie, Alberta, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy [1][3][6] - The company aims to establish Heal Wellness as the leading acai bowl and smoothie brand in Canada, focusing on both organic and inorganic growth [3][4][5] Franchise Development - The signing of the 50th franchise agreement strengthens Heal Wellness's development pipeline and supports consistent organic growth [3][4] - Happy Belly has a total of 531 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its emerging brands, indicating robust expansion plans [6] Market Opportunity - Grande Prairie is identified as a strong market for a smoothie and acai bowl restaurant due to its youthful, health-conscious population and limited competition in the health-focused fast-casual space [7] - The city has a population nearing 70,000 and is experiencing steady economic growth, making it an ideal location for wellness-oriented food concepts [7] Business Model and Strategy - Heal Wellness employs a structured business model that mitigates typical entrepreneurial risks, equipping franchisees with necessary tools for success [5] - The company plans to further expand corporate store development while leveraging momentum from its franchise network, with multiple locations already under construction [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. has appointed Brian Quinn to its Board of Directors, enhancing its leadership with expertise in franchising and brand development [1][2][3]. Company Overview - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionary retail stores, known as America's Chocolatier™. The company has been producing a wide range of premium chocolates and confectionery products since 1981 [5]. - The company operates nearly 260 stores across the United States and has several international locations. It is recognized in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2025 and Franchise Times' Franchise 400 for 2024 [5]. Leadership Appointment - Brian Quinn, the new board member, has extensive experience in brand development, franchise expansion, and operational strategy. He is currently the Chief Development Officer at Sonesta International Hotels, where he significantly contributed to the company's growth from fewer than 100 locations to over 1,000 [2]. - Quinn's previous roles include leadership positions at major hospitality and franchising companies, where he was involved in revenue growth and franchise network development [3]. Strategic Alignment - Quinn's expertise in franchising and market expansion aligns with Rocky Mountain Chocolate's long-term vision to enhance brand presence and stimulate franchise store growth through strategic expansion [2][3].