US-based Smoothie King unveiled plans to open more than 90 new outlets this year, citing a strong development pipeline and growth opportunities in key markets. The company is starting 2026 with a franchisee incentive initiative aimed at specific states across the US to support the expansion. According to Smoothie King, the scheme will provide financial support to “growth-minded franchisees”. Alongside store expansion, the company is increasing its focus on menu development. This includes introducing ne ...

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]

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 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 the grand opening of Heal Wellness ("Heal") in Red Deer, Alberta, this Saturday January 10th, marking the brand's 31st operating location nationwide. The new restaurant is located at 499 Timberlands Drive, Unit #9105, within a high-traffic retail node serving one of Central Alberta's faste ...

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]

Core Insights - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced the signing of a real estate location for its Heal Wellness brand in Georgetown, Ontario, as part of its asset-light growth strategy in the Greater Toronto Area [1][3] - Heal Wellness specializes in quick-service offerings such as fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies, catering to the growing consumer demand for healthier food options [1][5] Group 1: Company Expansion - The new location in Georgetown is aimed at enhancing Heal's presence in family-oriented communities with strong household incomes and traffic patterns that align with its health-focused offerings [3] - Heal Wellness currently operates 30 locations and has over 168 more in development, contributing to Happy Belly's portfolio of 656 retail franchise locations across various emerging brands [5][6] Group 2: Business Strategy - The company emphasizes a disciplined site selection and unit economics to support its growth model, allowing for density building in key markets [3] - Heal Wellness is positioned to deepen its market presence in Ontario and other Canadian regions, leveraging its strong brand and scalable format [5]

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]