Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG | OTCQB: HBFGF) has announced its largest franchise development agreement in company history, signing a binding deal for 150 Heal Wellness quick-service restaurant locations across the State of Texas with existing multi-unit operator The Curative Group. The agreement expands a previously announced 10-location Texas commitment to 150 locations in total, bringing Heal's total development pipeline under signed agreements to 460 units across Canada and the United States. Investors may be watching whether this milestone accelerates Heal's trajectory toward its stated year-end target of 60 open locations.

Key Points

  • Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG | OTCQB: HBFGF) is a Toronto-based consolidator of emerging restaurant brands
  • A binding agreement for 150 Heal Wellness franchise units across Texas has been signed with The Curative Group, led by Kendall Howard and Paul Fioroni
  • Heal's first U.S. location opened October 3, 2026, in Lubbock; a second location is expected in early 2027; Heal had 54 locations open at time of announcement
  • Investors may watch the pace of site selections and openings as the company targets 60 locations operating by year-end 2026

Record Texas Deal Expands Heal Wellness U.S. Footprint

The binding agreement with The Curative Group represents Happy Belly's largest franchise development deal to date, scaling the company's Texas commitment from 10 to 150 Heal Wellness locations. Heal is a quick-service restaurant brand specialising in fresh smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies. The release states that as locations open, the rollout is expected to generate growth in Happy Belly's operating restaurant count, system-wide sales, and recurring royalty revenue. The company described Texas as the first of multiple U.S. states it intends to develop for the Heal Wellness brand.

Curative Group's First Lubbock Opening Establishes U.S. Base

The Curative Group launched Heal's inaugural U.S. location on October 3, 2026, at 1113 University Avenue in Lubbock, directly across from Texas Tech University. The release states the opening established Heal's first operating presence in the United States and provides a foundation for brand awareness in the Texas market. A second location is expected in early 2027, with site selections already underway across the state. The Curative Group brings experience owning and operating multiple franchise brands, according to the announcement.

460-Unit Development Pipeline and 2026 Growth Trajectory

The announcement notes that with this 150-unit Texas agreement added to previously signed deals — including a 45-unit, three-year agreement announced June 15 — Heal now holds 460 units in its total development pipeline under signed agreements. Heal began 2026 with 30 open locations and had grown to 54 at the time of the announcement. The company stated it expects 60 locations to be open and operating by year-end 2026, which the release characterises as a doubling of its restaurant footprint within the year. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information.