Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 7, 2026) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging restaurant brands, is pleased to announce that its multi-unit franchisee for Heal Wellness ("Heal") QSR in Alberta secures its 11th real estate location. This milestone further advances Heal's disciplined, asset-light growth strategy to scale into a leading smoothie and açaí bowl brand across North America. Heal Wellness is a fast ...

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 Heal Wellness in Bradford, Ontario, which aligns with its asset-light growth strategy in Canada [1][3] - Heal Wellness aims to become North America's leading smoothie bowl chain, focusing on strategic growth and strong store-level economics [3] - The franchisee will benefit from Happy Belly's established operating system, which has proven effective in optimizing unit performance and shortening ramp-up times [3][5] Company Overview - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. specializes in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada [9] - The company currently has 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various stages of development [5] Heal Wellness Brand - Heal Wellness is a quick-service restaurant brand that offers fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, catering to health-conscious consumers [1][6] - The brand has 27 locations operating and over 168 in development, indicating significant expansion potential [5] Market Characteristics - Bradford is identified as an attractive market due to its fast-growing, family-oriented community and strong household incomes, which align with Heal's target customer base [3] - The demographic mix in Bradford, including young families and active professionals, supports the demand for convenient, health-focused meal options [3]

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]

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 50% ownership interest in Heal Wellness, aiming to own 100% of the quick-service restaurant brand specializing in fresh smoothie bowls and smoothies [1][8]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition is set to close on October 9, 2025, with a purchase price of $3,896,948 CAD, which will be settled through the transfer of previously issued shares and the issuance of additional shares [8][9]. - Happy Belly initially acquired a controlling interest in Heal Wellness on May 5, 2022, through a share exchange agreement [2][3]. Business Growth - Heal Wellness has expanded from two locations to twenty-seven operating stores across Canada, with a robust pipeline of 168 additional locations under signed agreements [5][6]. - The brand has signed area development agreements in all 10 Canadian provinces and initiated international expansion with a 10-unit development agreement in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas [6][7]. Strategic Importance - Heal Wellness is considered a cornerstone of Happy Belly's portfolio, demonstrating the effectiveness of the company's model in identifying, scaling, and franchising emerging restaurant brands [7]. - The asset-light franchise program has been pivotal in Heal's rapid growth, allowing for expansion while preserving capital [6][7].

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 - 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 Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has expanded its franchise agreement with an existing multi-unit franchisee in Alberta from 10 to 15 units for its Heal Wellness brand, which specializes in fresh smoothie bowls and smoothies [1][3][5] - The expansion reflects strong organic support from the franchisee base, indicating a growing interest in multi-unit ownership among existing operators [3][5] - Heal Wellness is recognized as Canada's first national smoothie bowl brand, with a scalable, asset-light model that supports its growth and enhances value for franchise partners and investors [5][6] Company Overview - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada [9] - The company has a total of 616 retail locations under contract, which includes development, construction, and operational stages, indicating a robust franchise pipeline [5][6] Brand Performance - Heal Wellness has seen significant growth since its initial five-unit agreement in October 2023, doubling to 10 units by May 2024, and now expanding to 15 units [3][5] - The brand is experiencing increasing brand awareness and customer loyalty, contributing to its expanding national footprint with additional units under construction in Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island [5][6] Strategic Growth - The company is focused on a strategic blend of organic growth and targeted acquisitions to accelerate the momentum behind Heal Wellness and its broader portfolio [5][6] - By aligning with experienced operators and securing prime real estate, Happy Belly aims to strengthen its long-term fundamentals and deliver sustained growth through 2026 and beyond [6]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has opened its 27th Heal Wellness location in Calgary, Alberta, with the grand opening scheduled for July 12, 2025 [1][2] - The company is experiencing significant growth and brand recognition across Canada, positioning Heal as a national smoothie bowl brand [3][4] - Happy Belly's strategy combines organic growth with strategic acquisitions, leading to a robust franchise pipeline and expansion plans [2][7] Company Expansion - The new Heal Wellness location is part of a broader expansion strategy, with more units under construction in Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island [4] - A total of 195 units for Heal Wellness are secured under development agreements across Canada, indicating a strong growth trajectory [4][7] - The Happy Belly portfolio includes 616 retail locations under contract, showcasing a disciplined approach to growth through careful partner selection and prime real estate [7] Brand Development - Heal Wellness aims to provide quick, fresh wellness foods, focusing on smoothie bowls and smoothies made with superfood ingredients [8] - The brand is gaining customer loyalty and recognition, with existing franchisees expanding into multi-unit ownership, reflecting confidence in the operational model [3][4] - The company's asset-light approach and strong franchise engagement are unlocking value for stakeholders and signaling long-term growth potential [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is expanding its presence in Canada with the opening of its 26th Heal Wellness location, indicating strong growth and a strategic focus on scaling emerging food brands [1][3]. Company Expansion - The new Heal Wellness location is situated in Aurora, Ontario, and will officially open on July 5, 2025 [1]. - The company has experienced significant growth, with more locations under construction and scheduled to open throughout 2025 [3][4]. - Happy Belly has secured 195 units under development agreements across Canada, positioning itself for continued expansion as Heal aims to become a national smoothie bowl brand [4][6]. Franchise Development - Happy Belly has a robust franchise pipeline with 606 retail locations under contract, which includes projects in various stages of development [6]. - The company emphasizes careful selection of partners and prime real estate to maintain growth momentum through 2026 [6]. Product Offering - Heal Wellness focuses on providing quick, fresh wellness foods, including a diverse range of smoothie bowls and smoothies made with superfood ingredients [7].