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 ...

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announces the expansion of its Heal Wellness brand with the acquisition of a second U.S. location in Lubbock, Texas, as part of its strategy to grow Heal into a leading smoothie and açaí bowl brand across North America [1][3] Company Expansion - Heal Wellness has secured its second U.S. real estate location in Texas, following the announcement of its first site just two months prior [3] - The new location in Lubbock is set to open in 2026 and is part of a 10-unit development agreement for Heal Wellness [3] - Texas is identified as an ideal market for expansion due to its warm climate, population growth, and active lifestyle demographics [3] Market Positioning - Heal Wellness is positioned to cater to families, students, professionals, and fitness-oriented consumers seeking healthy food options in a warm-weather market [3] - Lubbock has a population of over 270,000, with a broader metropolitan area exceeding 360,000, providing a strong customer base [3] Growth Metrics - Heal Wellness currently operates 30 locations and has more than 178 in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various brands [4] - The company's disciplined growth strategy aims to create long-term value for shareholders [4][7]

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 opened its 30th location of Heal Wellness in the Toronto Eaton Centre, a significant milestone for the brand [1][4] - The new location is strategically positioned in a high-traffic area, attracting over 50 million visitors annually, which is expected to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement [3][4] - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls and smoothies, catering to health-conscious consumers, particularly students from the nearby Toronto Metropolitan University [3][6] Company Expansion - Heal Wellness is rapidly expanding, with 30 locations currently operational and over 168 more in development across Canada and the United States [4] - Happy Belly Food Group has a total of 646 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various emerging brands, indicating a robust growth strategy [4] Brand Mission - Heal Wellness aims to provide quick, fresh wellness foods that support an active lifestyle, focusing on high-quality superfood ingredients [6]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announces the grand opening of a new Heal Wellness location in Calgary, Alberta, marking the brand's 6th location in Calgary and 9th in Alberta, contributing to its expansion in Western Canada [1][3][4] Expansion and Growth - Heal Wellness currently operates 28 locations and has over 168 in development, indicating strong growth potential within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector focused on wellness [4][5] - The new location in Bridgeland is strategically positioned to attract a diverse customer base, including young professionals, families, and health-conscious consumers, enhancing Heal's market presence [3][4] Business Model and Strategy - The company emphasizes a scalable, asset-light growth model, partnering with strong local operators to maximize the brand's reach in high-quality trade areas [3][4] - The multi-unit franchisee in Calgary is committed to expanding their Heal portfolio, aiming for a total of 15 units, showcasing the brand's attractive unit economics [3][4] Brand Positioning - Heal Wellness aims to establish itself as a leading smoothie bowl and wellness QSR brand in Western Canada, focusing on fresh, energizing food options that cater to busy lifestyles [3][8] - The brand prides itself on using high-quality superfood ingredients in its offerings, which include smoothie bowls and smoothies designed to support active lifestyles [8]

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 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 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 Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has signed a new franchise agreement for Heal Wellness in the Toronto Eaton Centre, enhancing its presence in Cadillac Fairview properties across Canada [1][3] - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, aiming to provide healthy dining options in a fast-casual environment [1][3] Expansion and Growth - The new Heal Wellness location is expected to attract over 50 million annual visitors, capitalizing on the high foot traffic and visibility of the Eaton Centre [3] - Heal Wellness currently operates 27 locations with over 168 in development, contributing to Happy Belly's total of 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various emerging brands [5][6] Brand Mission and Offerings - Heal Wellness focuses on delivering quick, fresh wellness foods that support busy lifestyles, featuring a diverse menu enriched with superfoods [5][8] - The company emphasizes the meticulous selection of superfood ingredients to fuel customers' health and wellness [8]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has signed a new franchise agreement and secured real estate for Heal Wellness in Airdrie, Alberta, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy across Alberta [1][2]. Company Overview - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada [10]. - Heal Wellness specializes in quick-service restaurant offerings, focusing on fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies [1][8]. Expansion Strategy - The new location in Airdrie is strategically chosen due to the city's rapid population growth, strong family demographics, and health-conscious residents, making it an ideal market for Heal Wellness [2][4]. - Heal Wellness is accelerating its coast-to-coast expansion, currently operating 27 locations with over 168 in development, contributing to a total of 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its portfolio [6]. Market Position - Airdrie is recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, providing access to a robust consumer base, including commuters, families, and young professionals seeking nutritious dining options [4]. - Heal Wellness aims to support busy lifestyles by offering quick, fresh wellness foods enriched with superfoods, aligning with the growing demand for health-focused dining options [6][8].