You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletters. Doherty Enterprises Inc., one of the country’s largest franchisees, is adding Qdoba Mexican Eats to its portfolio with a new agreement to develop 27 restaurants in select New York and New Jersey markets throughout the next several years.  The agreement represents a strategic expansion for Doherty Enterprises, whose portfolio currently includes 158 restaurants across Applebee’s, Panera Bread, Wendy’s, Chevys Fresh M ...

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands is pleased to announce that its acai and smoothie bowl QSR brand, Heal Wellness ("Heal"), has entered into a 10-unit franchise development agreement with a U.S.-based multi-unit operator for the State of Colorado.Happy Belly 1To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://reportify-12520680 ...

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands, is pleased to announce that its Heal Wellness brand ("Heal") has signed a real estate location for Georgetown, Ontario. This milestone further advances Heal's disciplined, asset-light growth strategy across high-quality suburban markets within the Greater Toronto Area. Heal Wellness is a quick-service restau ...

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced a franchise agreement for its Heal Wellness brand in London, Ontario, marking a step in its asset-light expansion strategy across Canada [1][3] - Heal Wellness specializes in quick-service offerings such as smoothie bowls and smoothies, targeting health-conscious consumers [1][3] Company Expansion - The London franchise is part of Heal's strategy to establish itself as North America's leading smoothie bowl chain, focusing on organic growth and strong unit economics [3] - Heal currently operates 27 locations and has over 168 in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various stages of development [5] Market Potential - London is identified as an ideal market due to its vibrant neighborhoods, strong daytime traffic, and a large student population from Western University, which has approximately 44,000 students [3] - The franchisee will utilize Happy Belly's proven operational strategies to enhance unit economics and expedite the opening process [3]

Core Viewpoint - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is undergoing a transformation aimed at modernizing its operations and achieving scalable growth, with early signs of progress being observed [2] Financial Performance - Total revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 increased to $6.8 million, up from $6.4 million in the same quarter last year, driven by pricing actions and a more profitable sales mix [5] - The company reported a gross profit loss of $33,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, compared to a profit of $600,000 in the year-ago quarter, primarily due to higher input costs and operational inefficiencies [5] - Total costs and expenses remained flat at $7.3 million compared to the previous year [5] - The net loss for the second quarter was $0.7 million, or $(0.09) per share, compared to a net loss of $0.7 million, or $(0.11) per share, in the year-ago quarter [5] Operational Initiatives - The company is focusing on strengthening operations and enhancing visibility through new ERP and POS systems, which are expected to facilitate data-driven decisions [2] - A rebranding initiative and new store developments are underway, with two new franchise locations announced in California and New Jersey, and a company-owned location in Camarillo, California [2] - The company plans to introduce a new loyalty program and expand digital capabilities to improve customer engagement for franchisees [2] Company Overview - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery retail stores, operating over 250 locations across the United States and several international locations [7] - The company has been recognized in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2025 and Franchise Times' Franchise 400 for 2024 [7]

Core Insights - Cold Stone Creamery is planning to expand its franchise presence in the Greater Houston Area, targeting the opening of 10 new outlets by 2030 [1][3] - The expansion will focus on cities such as Baytown, Humble, Missouri City, Pasadena, Rosenberg, and Tomball, indicating a strategic approach to market penetration in diverse communities [1][3] Company Strategy - The brand leader emphasizes Houston's diverse market, highlighting the strong consumer base that appreciates Cold Stone Creamery's products and services [2] - The expansion is expected to create new job opportunities and contribute to economic growth in Houston, which is characterized as a city full of opportunities for business ownership [3] Franchise Opportunities - Cold Stone Creamery is actively seeking franchise candidates, ranging from first-time operators to multi-unit owners, indicating a broad appeal for potential investors [4] - The initial franchise fee for a traditional Cold Stone Creamery outlet is set at $27,000, which may attract a variety of franchisees [5] Current Operations - Cold Stone Creamery currently operates multiple locations in the Greater Houston area and has a total of 51 outlets across Texas, showcasing its established presence in the state [3]

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]

Core Insights - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. is expanding its retail presence with two new locations in California and New Jersey, aligning with its strategic growth objectives [1][5]. Company Expansion - The new store at Palladio Mall in Folsom, California will feature the full assortment of RMCF's premium chocolates and handcrafted selections, showcasing an updated store design [3]. - The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets in Tinton Falls, New Jersey will introduce RMCF's elevated retail experience, targeting both year-round residents and seasonal visitors [4]. Franchisee Partnerships - The expansion includes partnerships with current franchisees, Jessica Feurerbach and David Seemer, who will own the new locations, reinforcing RMCF's commitment to supporting excellent operators [5]. Brand Mission - RMCF aims to make its premium chocolate accessible to a growing audience of chocolate lovers across the United States through these new openings [5]. Company Background - Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Durango, Colorado, RMCF is a leading franchiser of premium chocolate and confectionery products, operating over 250 stores in the U.S. and several international locations [6].

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].