Happy Belly Food Group Enters into Definitive Agreement in Respect of Call Option to Purchase Remaining 50% of Heal WellnessOctober 02, 2025 8:30 AM EDT | Source: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 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 it has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement effective as of Octobe ...

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].

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 Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has opened its 23rd Heal Wellness location in Kingston, Ontario, marking significant expansion in the quick serve restaurant sector focused on health-conscious offerings [1][3] - The company has experienced substantial growth, with 56 restaurants now operating across corporate and franchise locations, and plans for further expansion throughout 2025 [3][5] - The new location is strategically positioned near Queen's University, targeting a demographic that prioritizes health and convenience, which is expected to drive foot traffic and sales [6][7] Company Expansion - The opening in Kingston represents the 13th Heal location in Ontario, with additional sites under construction and planned for the future [3] - Happy Belly has secured 130 units under development agreements across Canada, indicating a robust pipeline for continued growth [3][5] - The company aims to maintain momentum through both internal launches and targeted mergers and acquisitions, with 531 retail locations under contract [5] Market Positioning - Heal Wellness focuses on providing quick, fresh wellness foods, catering to a health-conscious consumer base, particularly in university towns like Kingston [6][7] - The company emphasizes the use of high-quality superfood ingredients in its menu, appealing to consumers seeking nutritious meal options [7] - The strategic location of the new restaurant is expected to capitalize on the vibrant community of students and professionals, enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement [6]

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 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]