Happy Belly Food Group Closes Acquisition of SALUS Fresh Foods QSR Restaurant Chain
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) has completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in SALUS Fresh Foods restaurant chain, marking its tenth restaurant brand acquisition. The transaction, valued at $300,000, was executed through the issuance of 272,479 common shares at $1.101 per share, representing approximately 2.4x normalized EBITDA.
SALUS operates as an asset-light, 100% franchised system with 9 locations in Ontario, offering fresh bowls, sandwiches, wraps, soups, smoothies, and healthy treats. This strategic acquisition brings Happy Belly's total portfolio to 12 food brands with 73 restaurants, strengthening its position as Canada's leading consolidator of emerging food brands.
The deal includes an option for Happy Belly to acquire the remaining 50% ownership, and the integration is expected to create significant operational synergies in real-estate, franchising, accounting, purchasing, and marketing.
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) ha completato l'acquisizione del 50% della catena di ristoranti SALUS Fresh Foods, segnando il suo decimo marchio acquisito. L'operazione, del valore di $300.000, è stata effettuata mediante l'emissione di 272.479 azioni ordinarie a $1,101 per azione, corrispondenti a circa 2,4x l'EBITDA normalizzato.
SALUS opera con un modello asset-light, interamente basato sulla franchigia, con 9 sedi in Ontario, offrendo bowl freschi, panini, wrap, zuppe, frullati e snack salutari. Questa acquisizione strategica porta il portafoglio di Happy Belly a 12 marchi con 73 ristoranti, rafforzando la sua posizione come principale consolidatore canadese di marchi alimentari emergenti.
L'accordo include un'opzione per Happy Belly di acquisire il restante 50% della proprietà, e l'integrazione dovrebbe generare rilevanti sinergie operative in ambito immobiliare, franchising, contabilità, acquisti e marketing.
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) ha completado la adquisición del 50% de la cadena de restaurantes SALUS Fresh Foods, marcando su décima marca adquirida. La transacción, valorada en $300,000, se ejecutó mediante la emisión de 272,479 acciones ordinarias a $1.101 por acción, lo que representa aproximadamente 2.4x el EBITDA normalizado.
SALUS opera con un modelo asset-light, 100% franquiciado, con 9 locales en Ontario, ofreciendo bowls frescos, sándwiches, wraps, sopas, batidos y opciones saludables. Esta adquisición estratégica eleva la cartera de Happy Belly a 12 marcas con 73 restaurantes, consolidando su posición como el principal consolidado canadiense de marcas alimentarias emergentes.
El acuerdo incluye una opción para que Happy Belly adquiera el 50% restante de la propiedad, y se espera que la integración genere importantes sinergias operativas en bienes raíces, franquicias, contabilidad, compras y marketing.
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF)는 레스토랑 체인 SALUS Fresh Foods의 지분 50% 인수를 완료하며 열 번째 브랜드 인수를 기록했습니다. 이번 거래는 $300,000 규모로, 주당 $1.101에 272,479주 보통주를 발행하는 방식으로 실행되었으며 이는 정규화된 EBITDA의 약 2.4배에 해당합니다.
SALUS는 자산 경량화(애셋-라이트) 모델로 100% 프랜차이즈 시스템을 운영하며 온타리오에 9개 지점을 보유하고 신선한 볼, 샌드위치, 랩, 수프, 스무디 및 건강 간식을 제공합니다. 이번 전략적 인수로 Happy Belly의 포트폴리오는 12개 브랜드, 73개 레스토랑으로 확대되어 신생 외식 브랜드를 통합하는 캐나다 선두 기업으로서 입지를 강화합니다.
본 거래에는 Happy Belly가 나머지 50% 지분을 인수할 수 있는 옵션이 포함되어 있으며, 통합을 통해 부동산, 프랜차이즈, 회계, 구매 및 마케팅 등에서 상당한 운영 시너지가 창출될 것으로 예상됩니다.
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) a finalisé l'acquisition de 50 % de la chaîne de restaurants SALUS Fresh Foods, marquant sa dixième acquisition de marque. La transaction, d'une valeur de 300 000 $, a été réalisée par l'émission de 272 479 actions ordinaires à 1,101 $ par action, soit environ 2,4x l'EBITDA normalisé.
SALUS fonctionne selon un modèle asset-light, entièrement franchisé, avec 9 établissements en Ontario, proposant des bowls frais, sandwiches, wraps, soupes, smoothies et encas sains. Cette acquisition stratégique porte le portefeuille de Happy Belly à 12 marques et 73 restaurants, renforçant sa position de principal consolideur canadien des marques alimentaires émergentes.
L'accord inclut une option permettant à Happy Belly d'acquérir les 50 % restants, et l'intégration devrait générer d'importantes synergies opérationnelles en immobilier, franchisage, comptabilité, achats et marketing.
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) hat den Erwerb einer 50%-Beteiligung an der Restaurantkette SALUS Fresh Foods abgeschlossen und damit seine zehnte Markenübernahme vollzogen. Die Transaktion im Wert von $300.000 wurde durch die Ausgabe von 272.479 Stammaktien zu je $1,101 durchgeführt und entspricht etwa dem 2,4-fachen des normalisierten EBITDA.
SALUS betreibt ein asset-light, zu 100% franchisiertes System mit 9 Standorten in Ontario und bietet frische Bowls, Sandwiches, Wraps, Suppen, Smoothies und gesunde Snacks an. Durch diese strategische Übernahme erhöht Happy Belly sein Portfolio auf 12 Marken mit 73 Restaurants und stärkt damit seine Position als führender kanadischer Konsolidierer aufstrebender Food-Marken.
Der Deal enthält eine Option für Happy Belly, die verbleibenden 50% der Anteile zu erwerben. Durch die Integration werden erhebliche operative Synergien in den Bereichen Immobilien, Franchising, Buchhaltung, Einkauf und Marketing erwartet.
- Acquisition is debt-free and cashflow positive
- Purchase price of 2.4x normalized EBITDA indicates favorable valuation
- Asset-light business model with 100% franchised system
- Option to acquire remaining 50% ownership
- Operational synergies across multiple business functions
- Expands portfolio to 73 restaurants and 12 food brands
- Share dilution through issuance of 272,479 new common shares
- Limited to 50% ownership control initially
- Geographic concentration risk with all locations in Ontario
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 21, 2025) - 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 that further to its news release on November 1st, 2024 announcing the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire
Happy Belly 1
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"Happy Belly entered the first half of 2025 with strong organic growth across its portfolio of emerging brands. Building on this momentum, the company is proud to announce inorganic growth with the accretive acquisition of Salus on a debt free and cashflow positive basis, taking our business to the next level as we begin consolidating sectors to create a high-performing portfolio of brands," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "With this acquisition, Happy Belly adds its tenth (10th) restaurant brand and twelfth (12th) food brand overall, totalling 73 restaurants and advancing our mission to become Canada's leading consolidator of emerging food brands."
Salus Fresh Foods is an asset light
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The acquisition brings synergies that both brands can leverage, such as streamlined integration into our established frameworks for real-estate, franchising, accounting, purchasing, supplier contracts, rebate systems, shared resources, and marketing support. These efficiencies will drive productivity and optimize labor costs, allowing us to continue focusing on the development and growth of emerging brands in the food sector."
Happy Belly 3
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Acquisition Details
Happy Belly will issue 272,479 common shares in the capital stock of the Company at a price of
"We are just getting started," said Sean Black.
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About SALUS Fresh Foods
Fresh, Healthy, Made from Scratch, Delicious. Everyday our team is slicing, dicing, roasting, marinating, saucing, and having fun while ensuring that every meal is fresh, simple, and delicious. Salus locations are ideally selected in the heart of large urban areas fed by mass transit, with access to busy professionals, students, and families who are in need of a quick and healthy meal.
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 Food Group
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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/263315
FAQ
What is the acquisition price for SALUS Fresh Foods by Happy Belly (HBFGF)?
How many locations does SALUS Fresh Foods currently operate?
What is Happy Belly's total brand portfolio after the SALUS acquisition?
What synergies will the SALUS acquisition bring to Happy Belly?
Does Happy Belly have the option to acquire full ownership of SALUS?
