Happy Belly Food Group Announces Executive Leadership Plan to Support Next Phase of Growth

Rhea-AI Summary

Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) announced executive leadership changes effective December 8, 2025 to support its 2026 growth plan. John Delutis is promoted to COO to lead operations across QSR platforms; Randall Papineau is promoted to CRO to oversee store-level performance, brand, marketing and menu development; Shawn Moniz will continue as President and Interim CFO while focusing on the CPG division, regulatory and corporate structuring.

The company said it aims to double the size of its franchising arm in the next 12 months and plans to launch U.S. franchising operations in 2026, aligning leadership to support an asset-light, multi-brand expansion.

Positive

• Target to double franchising arm size within 12 months (100% growth target)
• U.S. franchising launch planned for 2026
• COO promotion centralizes operations, supply chain, and HR oversight

Negative

• Interim CFO remains during a planned rapid expansion

Key Figures

Franchising growth target Double franchising arm Objective over the next 12 months from December 8, 2025

U.S. franchising timeline 2026 Planned launch of U.S. franchising operations

Price move pre-news 6.53% 24h price change ahead of/into this leadership announcement

Market Reality Check

$1.58 Last Close

Volume Volume 11072 is 1.44x the 20-day average of 7670, indicating elevated interest ahead of the growth push. normal

Technical Shares at $1.58 are trading above the 200-day MA of $0.90, reflecting a pre-existing uptrend into this leadership update.

Peers on Argus

HBFGF gained 6.53% while key packaged food peers like BEOLF and AMNF showed modest declines or flat performance, pointing to a company-specific reaction rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 08	Leadership changes	Positive	+2.6%	Executive team realigned to support 2026 growth and U.S. franchising.
Dec 05	New store opening	Positive	+2.1%	Heal Wellness opened first Atlantic Canada location, expanding footprint and pipeline.
Dec 04	Franchise agreement	Positive	+2.5%	New Rosie's Burgers franchise and real estate secured in Whitby, Ontario.
Dec 02	Development deal	Positive	+1.3%	Smile Tiger 20‑unit area development deal expanded Ontario and BC pipeline.
Dec 01	New store opening	Positive	+0.0%	Heal Wellness opened another Calgary location, increasing Western Canada presence.

Pattern Detected

Recent news around franchising expansion and new locations has typically coincided with modest positive price reactions, suggesting the market has rewarded growth execution updates.

Recent Company History

Over the past weeks, Happy Belly reported multiple growth milestones, including new Heal Wellness locations, a Smile Tiger 20‑unit area development agreement, and additional Rosie's Burgers real estate secured, lifting its contracted pipeline to 646 units on several occasions. Each update drew generally positive but measured price reactions between 0% and 2.65%. Today’s executive leadership realignment, aimed at supporting a plan to double the franchising arm and launch U.S. franchising in 2026, fits this ongoing expansion narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement detailed a realignment of senior leadership to support a plan to double the franchising arm over the next 12 months and launch U.S. franchising in 2026. Responsibilities were clarified across operations, restaurant experience, and corporate platform functions. In context with recent franchise openings and development agreements, it underscores a continued expansion strategy. Investors may watch how effectively the new structure supports unit growth, brand consistency, and execution of the multi‑brand, asset‑light model.

Key Terms

qsr technical

"operational performance across the Company's QSR platforms, including business"

QSR stands for quick-service restaurant, the category of eateries focused on fast, low-cost meals such as fast-food chains and counter-serve outlets. Investors watch QSRs because their performance reflects how well a chain converts steady customer traffic into profit through pricing, speed, location and franchise economics — think of them as retail stores for food where foot traffic, consistent unit costs and repeat customers determine whether an investment grows or stalls.

cpg technical

"overseeing the Company's CPG division and leading company-wide corporate"

Consumer packaged goods are everyday items people buy frequently and replace often, such as food, personal care products, and household cleaners. Investors watch CPG businesses because they tend to produce steady, repeatable sales and reveal how well a company keeps customers and controls costs; small shifts in consumer habits, pricing or supply chain costs can quickly affect revenue and profit. Think of a CPG company as a neighborhood store supplying staples—tiny changes in demand or cost ripple across its earnings.

enterprise risk management technical

"legal affairs, enterprise risk management, and corporate structuring."

Enterprise Risk Management is a process companies use to identify, assess, and prepare for potential problems that could disrupt their success, like financial losses or reputation damage. It’s like a safety plan that helps a business stay strong and adapt quickly when unexpected challenges come up. This helps the company protect its future and keep running smoothly.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 8, 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 executive management updates to support its 2026 growth plan as the Company advances its objective of doubling the size of its franchising arm over the next 12 months. These leadership changes are effective December 8^th, 2025.

The Company's leadership structure for 2026 will include the following:

• John Delutis will be promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO), assuming responsibility for operational performance across the Company's QSR platforms, including business technology, supplier management, material contracts and purchasing, human resources and labor planning. He will transition into this role while transferring his Chief Restaurant Officer (CRO) responsibilities to Randall Papineau.

• Randall Papineau, formerly President, Emerging Brands, will be promoted to Chief Restaurant Officer (CRO) with responsibility for the end-to-end restaurant experience, focusing on brand integrity, guest satisfaction, and store-level performance. He will oversee store-level operations, brand and creative direction, marketing and loyalty initiatives, store design and construction, and menu development and guest experience optimization.

• Shawn Moniz will continue as President and Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), overseeing the Company's CPG division and leading company-wide corporate regulatory and compliance, legal affairs, enterprise risk management, and corporate structuring. Mr. Moniz will focus on strengthening Happy Belly's corporate platform as the Company advances its growth strategy and prepares to launch U.S. franchising operations in 2026, while continuing to oversee the finance team on an interim basis while transitioning his Chief Operating Officer (COO) responsibilities to John Delutis.

"As we prepare for a material step-change in system sales, restaurant count, and geographic reach, we are aligning responsibilities to ensure we have the right people focused on corporate structure, system-wide operations, and restaurant excellence", said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. Shawn, John, and Randall have each been instrumental in getting us to this stage, and this realignment puts them in the best roles to help us double the size of our franchising arm in 2026. With our team now in place, we believe we are well equipped to continue executing our asset-light, multi-brand growth strategy."

"We are just getting started," said Sean Black.

Franchising
For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.

About Happy Belly Food Group
Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada.

Happy Belly 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/277254_6e080d09c4797969_002full.jpg

Sean Black
Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer

Shawn Moniz
Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
www: www.happybellyfg.com or email hello@happybellyfg.com
If you wish to contact us please call: 1-877-589-8805

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277254

FAQ

What leadership changes did Happy Belly (HBFGF) announce on December 8, 2025?

Happy Belly promoted John Delutis to COO, promoted Randall Papineau to CRO, and confirmed Shawn Moniz will continue as President and Interim CFO.

What is Happy Belly's franchising growth target for 2026 (HBFGF)?

The company aims to double the size of its franchising arm over the next 12 months.

When will Happy Belly (HBFGF) begin U.S. franchising operations?

Happy Belly plans to launch U.S. franchising operations in 2026.

How will the new COO role affect Happy Belly's operations (HBFGF)?

The COO will oversee QSR operational performance, business technology, supplier management, contracts, purchasing, HR and labor planning.

Who handles finance at Happy Belly during the leadership transition (HBFGF)?

Shawn Moniz will continue to oversee the finance team on an interim basis while also serving as President.