Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has signed a franchise agreement and secured a real estate location for Rosie's Burgers in Calgary's Marda Loop District, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy [2][5]. Company Expansion Strategy - The signing of the franchise agreement is part of a commitment to develop 20 units in Alberta, with more locations planned for 2025 [5]. - Marda Loop is identified as a vibrant community with high foot traffic and a strong local economy, making it an ideal location for Rosie's Burgers [5]. - The company is leveraging its franchising expertise to drive growth and secure strategic real estate across Canada [7]. Franchise Development - Rosie's Burgers has secured 115 locations under Multi-Unit and Area Development agreements across various provinces, indicating a robust growth pipeline [7][10]. - The company is pursuing a dual-track growth approach, focusing on both corporate store development and franchising [8]. - Happy Belly aims to maintain momentum and achieve disciplined growth objectives through 2026 by carefully selecting partners and prime real estate [10]. Market Positioning - Happy Belly Food Group is positioned as a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands in Canada, with a focus on the QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) space [13]. - The company emphasizes its asset-light franchise model, operational training, and marketing support to empower franchise partners [7].

Company Overview - Marble Slab Creamery is a small-batch ice cream franchise under FAT Brands, known for its imaginative flavor combinations and innovative frozen slab technique [1][2][5] - The company has been in operation for over 40 years, offering homemade ice cream with free Mix-Ins, shakes, and ice cream cakes [2][5] - Marble Slab Creamery has locations in various countries including Bahrain, Canada, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico, and the United States [5] Promotions and Marketing - In celebration of National Ice Cream Month and Ice Cream Day, Marble Slab Creamery is providing loyalty members with surprise offers every Sunday in July [1][2] - On July 20, loyalty members will receive a free small ice cream offer, valid for seven days [1] - The Vice President of Marketing emphasized the company's commitment to providing fun deals and unlimited flavor combinations to enhance customer experience [2] Corporate Structure - FAT Brands is a leading global franchising company that owns 18 restaurant brands and operates over 2,300 units worldwide [4] - The company strategically acquires, markets, and develops various dining concepts, including Marble Slab Creamery [4]

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is expanding its Heal Wellness brand with the opening of a new location in Toronto, marking significant growth in its franchise operations and solidifying its position as a leading smoothie bowl brand in Canada [1][2][3]. Company Expansion - The new Heal location will be situated in a high foot-traffic area in Toronto and is expected to open in late Q1 of 2026 [1]. - Heal Wellness currently operates 25 locations, with plans for further national expansion through a disciplined approach to both organic and inorganic growth [3][5]. - Happy Belly has a total of 591 franchise locations contractually committed across its portfolio, which includes units in planning, construction, and operation [5]. Brand Strength - The company emphasizes its commitment to delivering quality products, working with great people, and establishing sustainable processes as the foundation of its success [3]. - The growth of franchise partners and the addition of new locations validate the strength of Happy Belly's emerging brand portfolio [2]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates finalizing more franchise agreements and premium site selections, contributing to predictable growth in 2025 and 2026 [2][5]. - Happy Belly's development pipeline is gaining momentum, with expectations for more openings in the coming months [5].

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has made significant progress in expanding its franchise operations, particularly with the Heal Wellness brand, by securing a prime real estate location in Charlottetown, PEI, and signing multiple franchise agreements across Canada [1][3][5]. Company Developments - The company has signed a franchisee for the province of Prince Edward Island and secured a location in Charlottetown, with plans to open in late Q3 2025 [1][3]. - The franchisee is an experienced operator who currently owns Lettuce Love Café and HEAL Wellness in Hamilton [1]. - Happy Belly has announced an area development agreement for Heal in Atlantic Canada and is ready to begin construction for the new location [3]. Growth Strategy - Happy Belly aims to accelerate growth through organic development and targeted acquisitions, with a focus on expanding the Heal Wellness brand as a national smoothie bowl brand [5]. - The company currently has 551 retail franchise locations contractually committed across its portfolio, which includes locations in planning, under construction, or already in operation [5]. - The company is actively working to grow its pipeline into 2025 and 2026 by aligning with the right partners and securing high-quality real estate [5].

Company Expansion - Fazoli's has opened its first international location in Calgary, Canada, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy [1] - The company plans to open a total of 25 units across Canada over the next nine years in partnership with Briwin Restaurants Inc. [1][2] Growth and Market Potential - Fazoli's has experienced strong domestic growth for over 35 years and is optimistic about its new global chapter [2] - Briwin Restaurants Inc., the partner for the Canadian expansion, has a successful track record as a multi-unit Fatburger franchisee, indicating strong potential for Fazoli's in the Canadian market [2] Company Overview - Founded in 1988, Fazoli's is the largest QSR Italian chain in America, operating approximately 200 restaurants in 26 states [5] - The chain is known for its quality Italian food offerings, including freshly prepared pasta, sub sandwiches, salads, pizza, and unlimited signature breadsticks [5] Parent Company Information - FAT Brands is a leading global franchising company that owns 18 restaurant brands and operates over 2,300 units worldwide [4] - The company focuses on acquiring, marketing, and developing various dining concepts, including fast casual and quick-service restaurants [4]

Company Overview - Pretzelmaker, owned by FAT Brands Inc., is known for its innovative Pretzel Bites and has been in operation since 1991, starting as a single pretzel stand [3][6] - The company has grown to over 280 locations worldwide and continues to innovate with various menu offerings [6] New Product Launch - Pretzelmaker has introduced a new menu item, Cheetos Flamin' Hot Pretzel Bites, available until July 13, 2025, following the success of last year's Cheetos Pretzel Bites [2][3] - The new product features a dusting of Cheetos' Flamin' Hot Dust and is freshly baked and hand-rolled daily, providing a spicy flavor that pairs well with the chain's all-natural Lemonade [2][3] Marketing Strategy - The Vice President of Marketing at Pretzelmaker, Katie Thoms, emphasized the company's commitment to customer feedback and the desire to enhance flavor offerings, indicating a strong focus on customer engagement [3] - The collaboration with Cheetos aims to maintain excitement and attract customers through innovative flavor combinations [3] Parent Company Information - FAT Brands is a global franchising company that owns 18 restaurant brands and operates over 2,300 units worldwide, indicating a robust presence in the fast-casual dining sector [5] - The company strategically acquires and develops various dining concepts, showcasing its diverse portfolio [5]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has signed its first franchise agreement in Atlantic Canada for the province of Prince Edward Island, marking Heal Wellness's 51st franchise agreement and the fourth operating province for the brand [1][3] - The company aims to accelerate growth through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions, with a focus on expanding its franchise agreements and securing premium real estate across Canada [5] Company Overview - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada, currently operating under the Heal Wellness brand, which specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies [1][9] - The company has a total of 531 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its emerging brands, which are either in development, under construction, or already operating [5] Strategic Goals - The signing of the franchise agreement is part of a broader national expansion strategy, with expectations to announce additional projects throughout 2025 as the company continues to secure new franchise agreements [3][5] - The company emphasizes its mission to become a predictable and disciplined growth company, focusing on selecting the right franchise partners and optimal real estate to achieve development goals [5]

Core Insights - Casino Group and H&S Invest Holding have signed a strategic partnership to open over 210 Franprix and Monoprix stores in Morocco by 2035, marking a significant step in Casino Group's international expansion strategy through franchising [2][5] - The partnership aims to enhance Morocco's convenience retail landscape by introducing innovative retail concepts that combine quality food products, fast food, everyday services, and a digitalized customer experience [3][4] - The first stores are set to open in 2026, focusing on quality, convenience, and a high proportion of local products [4] Company Overview - Casino Group is a leader in the French retail market, operating approximately 7,500 convenience stores and generating a gross merchandise volume of €12.4 billion in 2024 [7] - The Group has a presence in over 30 countries with 472 franchised stores outside Metropolitan France, contributing to 3.5% of its net sales in 2024 [2] - H&S Invest Holding, established in 2005, operates in essential sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and retail, aiming to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in Morocco by 2030 through this partnership [6]

Core Insights - The Joint Corp. reported a 7% increase in revenue from continuing operations, reaching $13.1 million in Q1 2025 compared to $12.2 million in Q1 2024, driven by a greater number of franchised clinics [7][8] - System-wide sales increased by 5% to $132.6 million, indicating economic resilience [8] - The company experienced a net loss from continuing operations of $506,000, compared to a loss of $399,000 in the same quarter of the previous year [11] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations was $46,394, down from $424,708 in Q1 2024 [12][37] - Selling and marketing expenses rose to $3.5 million from $2.2 million in Q1 2024, reflecting the costs associated with transitioning to a new marketing team [8][10] - The cost of revenue increased to $3.0 million from $2.7 million, attributed to higher regional developer royalties and commissions [7] Operational Highlights - The company sold 9 franchise licenses in Q1 2025, a decrease from 15 in Q1 2024, due to the refranchising process [9] - Five new franchised clinics were opened, while two corporate clinics were refranchised and one was closed, bringing the total clinic count to 969 [9] - The company aims to enhance its digital marketing and patient experience to drive growth in new clinic openings and system-wide sales [5] Guidance and Future Outlook - The company expects system-wide sales to be between $550 million and $570 million for 2025, compared to $530.3 million in 2024 [19] - Comp sales for clinics open for 13 months or more are projected to be in the mid-single digits, up from 4% in 2024 [19] - Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $10.0 million and $11.5 million, compared to $11.4 million in 2024 [19]

Core Insights - FAT Brands reported a total revenue of $142.0 million for the fiscal first quarter of 2025, a decrease of $9.9 million or 6.5% compared to $152.0 million in the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower same-store sales and the closure of one Smokey Bones location [5][7] - The company opened 23 new locations in the first quarter, representing a 37% increase from the previous year, and is on track to open over 100 new restaurants in 2025 [2][7] - The net loss for the first quarter was $46.0 million, or $2.73 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $38.3 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2024 [7][9] Financial Performance - System-wide sales declined by 1.8%, and same-store sales decreased by 3.4% in the first quarter of 2025 [7] - EBITDA for the quarter was $2.1 million, down from $9.4 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2024, while adjusted EBITDA was $11.1 million compared to $18.2 million in the prior year [7][26] - General and administrative expenses increased by $3.0 million, or 10.1%, to $33.0 million, primarily due to increased professional fees related to pending litigation [8] Strategic Developments - The successful spin-off of Twin Hospitality Group Inc. resulted in a $50 million dividend to shareholders, while the company retains ownership of remaining shares [2] - The company is advancing its strategy to return to a nearly 100% franchised model, with plans to refranchise 57 company-operated Fazoli's restaurants [2] - FAT Brands is expanding internationally, having secured agreements to open 40 locations in France, including Fatburger and Buffalo's Cafe concepts [2]