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About Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (HBFGF)
Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG, OTCQB: HBFGF) is a dynamic consolidator of emerging food brands, specializing in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and innovative food concepts. The company's diversified portfolio spans multiple fast-casual dining categories, including health-focused smoothie bowls, plant-based meals, smash burgers, and specialty coffee. By leveraging an asset-light franchising model, Happy Belly accelerates the growth of its brands while minimizing operational risks, making it a key player in the evolving QSR industry.
Core Business Model and Strategy
Happy Belly operates as a multi-brand platform, acquiring and scaling emerging food brands with strong growth potential. Its business strategy centers on franchising, supported by corporate-owned locations. This model allows the company to expand its footprint rapidly while maintaining operational agility. By focusing on prime urban and high-traffic locations, Happy Belly ensures maximum visibility and customer engagement for its brands.
The company's asset-light approach is a cornerstone of its success. By partnering with experienced franchisees and area developers, Happy Belly reduces capital expenditures and operational complexities. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, ongoing mentorship, and access to a proven business model, fostering mutual growth and success.
Portfolio of Brands
Happy Belly's portfolio includes a diverse range of QSR brands that cater to various consumer preferences:
- Heal Wellness: A health-focused QSR offering smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and superfood smoothies. Heal Wellness appeals to active, health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious, on-the-go options.
- Rosie's Burgers: A boutique smash burger concept delivering nostalgic flavors through handcrafted burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Rosie's combines simplicity with quality, capturing the essence of classic diner fare.
- iQ Food Co.: A premium healthy eating brand serving wholesome bowls, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Strategically located in urban business districts, iQ caters to health-conscious professionals and families.
- Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters: A specialty coffee brand offering ethically sourced, in-house roasted coffee. Smile Tiger's consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and white-label products provide additional revenue streams and cross-brand synergies.
- Lettuce Love Café: A plant-based and gluten-free restaurant delivering fresh, nutritious meals that surprise and delight even traditional diners.
Competitive Positioning and Market Dynamics
Happy Belly operates in the competitive QSR landscape, which is characterized by rapid consumer preference shifts and high real estate competition. The company differentiates itself through its multi-brand strategy, targeting niche markets such as health-conscious dining, plant-based meals, and premium coffee. Its co-branded locations and innovative real estate strategies enable it to maximize space utilization and brand exposure.
By focusing on emerging food trends and leveraging its franchising expertise, Happy Belly positions itself as a growth-oriented consolidator. Its ability to integrate and scale diverse brands underscores its operational strength and market adaptability.
Commitment to Growth
Happy Belly is committed to disciplined growth through both organic expansion and accretive acquisitions. With over 450 contractually committed retail locations in development, construction, or operation, the company continues to strengthen its national footprint. Its strategic partnerships, such as a national distribution agreement with Sysco, enhance supply chain efficiency and support its growth trajectory.
Through its innovative approach and focus on emerging food trends, Happy Belly Food Group Inc. is redefining the QSR industry, offering investors a compelling opportunity in a rapidly evolving market.
Happy Belly Food Group (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) has announced the signing of its 13th franchise for Yolks Breakfast in the Greater Vancouver Area. This marks the 10th new franchise agreement since acquiring Yolks eleven months ago. The company now has franchise agreements across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, with 51 units contractually committed with area developers for Yolks.
The company's asset-light franchising strategy has attracted significant interest, with a total of 421 contractually committed retail locations across all Happy Belly Portfolio brands. The breakfast category remains one of the fastest-growing sectors in the restaurant industry, and the company provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources to help franchisees succeed.
Happy Belly Food Group (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) announces the opening of a new co-branded store in Toronto's Bloor-West Village, featuring Lettuce Love Café and Heal Wellness QSRs. The location at 2241 Bloor Street West will open on December 7th, 2024, marking the second co-branded location for these brands, with a third under construction in Hamilton's Westdale Village.
This represents the second Lettuce Love location and 14th Heal Wellness store. The street-front location features indoor seating and a corner patio. The company currently has 421 contractually committed retail locations across all brands in development, under construction, or already open. A third co-branded store is anticipated to open in Q1 2025.
Happy Belly Food Group has secured a real estate location in Whitby's Taunton Gardens for its HEAL Wellness franchise, marking its 15th Ontario-based location. The QSR, specializing in smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies, will be situated alongside major retailers like LA Fitness and Farm Boy. The company currently has 421 contractually committed retail locations across all brands in the Happy Belly Portfolio. HEAL's expansion in Whitby targets a health-conscious demographic in the Greater Toronto Area, with several locations under construction and plans for continued growth throughout North America in 2025.
Happy Belly Food Group (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) has opened its first Rosie's Burgers location in Calgary, Alberta at 1509 8th Street Southwest. This opening marks the beginning of a 20-unit commitment for Alberta. The new location is strategically positioned in Calgary's Beltline district, targeting professionals, residents, and visitors.
The company currently has 421 contractually committed retail locations across all its emerging brands portfolio. Rosie's Burgers is a boutique QSR restaurant specializing in smash burgers, poutine, onion rings, and milkshakes.
Happy Belly Food Group announces partnership with Cadillac Fairview to open three portfolio brands at CF Shops at Don Mills in 2025. IQ Foods and Heal Wellness will share a 1,500 square foot store, marking IQ Foods' 6th location and Heal Wellness' 47th location. Rosie's Burgers will open its 9th retail location at the centre. This expansion aligns with Happy Belly's strategy of shared space combinations and premium location acquisitions. The company currently has 421 contractually committed retail locations across its portfolio brands, with five restaurant brands under simultaneous construction.
Happy Belly Food Group has announced the signing of its 46th HEAL Wellness franchise and secured a location at 301 Queen Street South in Bolton, Ontario. This marks the company's 14th Ontario-based location for the quick-serve restaurant chain specializing in smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies. The company currently has 421 contractually committed retail locations across all its emerging brands portfolio, with multiple locations under construction planned to open before the end of 2024. Happy Belly emphasizes its successful asset-light franchising model, providing comprehensive training and mentorship to franchisees.
Happy Belly Food Group (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) has opened its newest HEAL Wellness location in Edmonton's North Town Center, co-located with Blenz Coffee. This marks the company's 13th location across 3 provinces, operating as a quick-service restaurant specializing in smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies. The company currently has 45 signed franchise agreements for HEAL and multiple units under construction. Happy Belly's portfolio includes 421 contractually committed retail locations across all brands, highlighting their successful asset-light franchising model and expansion strategy.
Happy Belly Food Group (CSE: HBFG) reported its 10th consecutive record quarter for Q3 2024. Total revenues increased 69% to $2.54M compared to Q3 2023, with system sales across QSR brands rising 488% to $8.52M. The company achieved positive EBITDA in both QSR ($0.68M) and CPG ($0.11M) segments. Notable achievements include normalized adjusted EBITDA of $198,219, representing a 265% increase, and the first-ever net comprehensive gain of $39,391 from cash operating activities. The quarter saw 4 new restaurant openings and the acquisition of IQ Foods with 4 locations. The company maintains a strong working capital position of $3.59M and total cash equivalents of $3.64M.
Happy Belly Food Group announces signing its 45th franchise agreement for Heal Wellness brand in Kingston, Ontario. Since acquisition, Heal has expanded from 2 to 12 operating locations across three provinces. The company reports 421 contractually committed retail locations across all brands in their portfolio. Heal Wellness, focusing on smoothie bowls and wellness foods, is part of Happy Belly's asset-light franchising model. The company expects multiple brand openings throughout 2024-2025, with five restaurant brands currently under construction.
Happy Belly Food Group announces securing a new location for its Heal Wellness brand at 1819 Avenue Road in Toronto, marking the 10th Heal location in Ontario and 5th in Toronto. The location, set to open in Q1 2025, represents the third store for an existing multi-unit franchisee within a year. The company highlights having 421 contractually committed retail locations across all brands in development, under construction, or already open. Heal Wellness, specializing in smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies, is expanding in Toronto's health-conscious market through an asset-light franchising model.