Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 27, 2026) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newest Heal Wellness ("Heal") this Saturday, March 28th, at 800-49th Avenue South West, in the Britannia neighbourhood of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Heal Wellness is a fast-growing quick-service restaurant ("QSR") brand specializing in fresh smoothie b ...

Core Viewpoint - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announces the grand opening of a new Heal Wellness location in Barrhaven Town Centre, Ottawa, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy focused on emerging food brands across Canada [1][3]. Company Expansion - The new Heal Wellness restaurant specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, emphasizing clean ingredients and a health-conscious lifestyle [1][5]. - The Barrhaven location is strategically positioned in a high-traffic retail area, benefiting from strong residential density and a demographic aligned with wellness-focused food offerings [5][6]. - Heal Wellness has opened 34 locations and has over 174 more in development, contributing to Happy Belly's broader portfolio of 666 retail franchise locations across various emerging brands [7]. Franchise Strategy - The company emphasizes disciplined expansion with experienced franchise partners who understand local markets, which reflects confidence in the brand and operational model [3][6]. - The partnership with multi-unit franchisees is seen as a strong endorsement of the company's growth platform [6][7]. Market Position - Heal Wellness is rapidly expanding in Canada and the United States, solidifying its position as a leading brand in the acai and smoothie bowl market [7]. - The opening of the Barrhaven location strengthens Happy Belly's presence in Ottawa and reinforces the area as an attractive market for its brands [5][7].

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced the signing of a franchise agreement for its Heal Wellness brand in Griffintown, Montreal, marking the third franchise agreement in Quebec and indicating continued expansion in a dynamic urban market [1][4] Company Expansion - The Griffintown location will be operated by an existing franchise partner who also runs a Rosie's Burgers location, showcasing the strength of Happy Belly's platform and the confidence of its partners in expanding with multiple brands [3][4] - Heal Wellness has rapidly expanded across Canada and the United States, with 33 locations currently open and over 175 in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations [7] Market Characteristics - Griffintown is recognized as one of Montreal's fastest-growing neighborhoods, characterized by a dense residential base, strong daytime traffic, and a health-conscious consumer demographic, making it an attractive market for Heal's wellness-focused menu [4]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announces the grand opening of a new Heal Wellness location in Oakville, Ontario, on February 21, 2026, expanding its presence in the quick-service restaurant sector focused on health-conscious offerings [1][3]. Company Expansion - The new Heal Wellness location is strategically situated in a high-traffic area, benefiting from strong visibility and consistent demand throughout the day [3][4]. - Heal Wellness has rapidly expanded, with 33 locations currently open and over 175 more in development, reinforcing its position as a leading brand in the acai and smoothie bowl market [5]. Business Strategy - The company emphasizes a disciplined growth strategy, with a total of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various emerging brands [5]. - The partnership with experienced franchisee David Lamph for this new location is expected to enhance operational success, as he has a proven track record in restaurant management [3][5]. Product Offering - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, focusing on clean ingredients that cater to a health-oriented lifestyle [1][8]. - The menu is designed to attract repeat customers with functional, grab-and-go options available from morning to evening [4].

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announces the grand opening of a new Heal Wellness location in Grande Prairie, Alberta, on February 14, 2026, expanding its presence in the quick-service restaurant sector focused on health-conscious offerings [1][3]. Company Expansion - The new Heal Wellness location is situated in the South 40 Shopping Centre, a retail hub with strong vehicle traffic and a mix of national retailers, which is expected to drive customer visits [3]. - Heal Wellness has rapidly expanded, now operating 32 locations with over 176 more in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 666 retail franchise locations across various emerging brands [4]. Market Positioning - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls and smoothies, emphasizing clean ingredients and a health-oriented lifestyle, which aligns with the growing consumer demand for convenient, health-forward food options [1][7]. - The company aims to establish Heal as a leading brand in the açaí and smoothie bowl market across Canada and the U.S., leveraging high-visibility sites for franchise partners [3][4].

Company Overview - Once Upon a Farm (OFRM) is a public benefit organic food company focused on young children's nutrition, offering products like cold-pressed purees, frozen meals, and snacks made with high-quality organic ingredients and no added sugar [3][4] - The company was co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner and former Annie's CEO John Foraker, and it emphasizes social and environmental goals alongside profit [4][3] IPO Details - OFRM went public with an IPO price of $18, raising approximately $198 million and valuing the company around $724 million [4][5] - The stock opened at about $21, reflecting strong initial demand, and has since traded between $20 and $25 [2][4] Financial Performance - For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, OFRM reported revenue of approximately $176.7 million, a 64% increase from $107.6 million the previous year [8] - In Q3 2025, sales reached $66 million, marking a 58% year-over-year increase, driven by expanded retail distribution and new product launches [9][8] - Despite the revenue growth, the company reported a net loss of $11.3 million in Q3, widening from about $7 million a year earlier, with a nine-month net loss of $39.8 million [10][8] Cash Flow and Debt - In Q3, OFRM had a free cash flow of approximately -$7.6 million and an operating cash burn of around -$6.1 million, with only about $7.4 million in cash on hand against roughly $148 million of long-term debt [11][10] - The IPO proceeds are expected to significantly improve the cash position, which was previously thin, and will support growth initiatives and possibly debt reduction [5][11] Market Position and Growth Strategy - The company is positioned in a growing market, with management estimating the addressable U.S. kids food market at about $79 billion [9] - OFRM's management is focused on aggressive expansion of product lines and marketing rather than immediate profitability, as evidenced by a recent partnership with children's retailer Carter's [12][10] Valuation and Investor Sentiment - OFRM's price/sales ratio is approximately 3.7x, significantly higher than the median of 0.8x for food industry peers, indicating that investors are paying a premium for future growth [1][4] - The stock's valuation reflects optimism about capturing a large kids food market, but it also sets high expectations for near-term progress [6][14]

Expansion Plans - Smoothie King plans to open more than 90 new outlets in 2026, supported by a strong development pipeline and growth opportunities in key markets [1][4] - The company is initiating a franchisee incentive initiative aimed at specific states in the US to support this expansion, providing financial support to "growth-minded franchisees" [1] Menu Development - Alongside store expansion, Smoothie King is focusing on menu development, introducing new smoothies and bowls, and expanding its overall food range [2] - The company has added ovens across locations to support a broader menu following the launch of its toast offerings [2] Operational Improvements - Smoothie King has upgraded its technology to streamline operations and enhance guest experience [2] - In Q4 2025, the company opened 19 stores and signed 23 new franchise deals, contributing to its overall growth [2] Franchise Growth - In the previous year, Smoothie King added 74 locations and signed 101 franchise agreements across 47 designated market areas (DMAs) nationwide [3] - The company expanded into Utah and Minnesota and pursued non-traditional development, including a new location at Joint Base Andrews [3] Product Launches - Last August, Smoothie King launched its first food menu, Power Eats, across more than 1,200 locations in the US [4] - The company aims to build on its momentum by introducing a range of new products to support healthy habits for its guests [4]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced the opening of a new Heal Wellness location at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto, with construction starting immediately and a planned opening in spring 2026 [1][3] Company Expansion - Heal Wellness is a fast-growing quick-service restaurant brand specializing in fresh smoothie bowls and smoothies, focusing on clean ingredients and a health-conscious lifestyle [1][4] - The new location will be operated by an experienced multi-unit franchisee, marking their sixth secured location, which aligns with Heal's asset-light growth strategy [1][3] - Heal Wellness currently has 31 locations open and over 177 in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various emerging brands [5] Market Positioning - The Bloor & Spadina area is characterized by high pedestrian traffic, a health-conscious demographic, and proximity to major post-secondary institutions, making it an ideal location for Heal Wellness [3][4] - The brand's positioning is supported by a scalable format and strong unit economics, allowing for deeper penetration in the Greater Toronto Area and other urban markets [4][5]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced the securing of a franchisee and real estate location for its Heal Wellness brand in Shawnessey Village, Calgary, with an expected opening in Q2 2026 [1][3] - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, focusing on clean ingredients and a health-oriented lifestyle [1][6] - The company is expanding rapidly, with 31 locations currently open and over 177 in development, contributing to a total of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across various brands [4] Company Strategy - The franchisee and location commitment in Shawnessey Village aligns with the company's strategy of pairing strong operators with high-visibility trade areas, benefiting from dense residential communities and established retail environments [3] - Heal Wellness is positioned to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for wellness-focused quick-service restaurant concepts in both urban and suburban markets [3][4] Market Position - Heal Wellness is solidifying its position as a leading brand in the acai and smoothie bowl market, supported by a scalable format and an expanding franchise pipeline [4] - The company emphasizes a disciplined growth strategy that aims to create long-term value for shareholders as it expands its brands across Canada and the U.S. [4]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announces the grand opening of Heal Wellness in Red Deer, Alberta, marking the brand's 31st location nationwide [1][4] - The new restaurant is strategically located in a high-traffic retail area, catering to a growing base of health-conscious consumers [3][4] - Heal Wellness is rapidly expanding, with 31 locations currently open and over 177 in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 666 retail franchise locations [4] Company Overview - Happy Belly Food Group is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands, including Heal Wellness, Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, and Via Cibo Italian Street Food [8] - The company emphasizes a disciplined, asset-light growth strategy, focusing on onboarding strong franchise partners and high-quality real estate [3][4] Market Position - Heal Wellness specializes in fresh smoothie bowls and smoothies, targeting consumers seeking healthier food options [1][6] - The Timberlands area in Red Deer is characterized by strong residential density and consistent commuter traffic, supporting demand for quick-service food options [3]