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Happy Belly Food Group's Heal Wellness QSR Secures Real Estate Location for Multi-Unit Franchisee in the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) announced that its Heal Wellness QSR brand has secured a real estate location in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a multi-unit franchisee. This first of two planned Halifax sites is expected to open in Q3 2026.

Halifax’s growing, health-focused population supports Heal’s smoothie bowl concept. Heal currently has 39 locations open and more than 169 in development, contributing to Happy Belly’s 686 contractually committed franchise locations across its emerging food brands.

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Positive

  • First Heal Wellness Halifax location secured, targeting Q3 2026 opening
  • Supports Atlantic Canada expansion with two planned Heal locations in Halifax
  • Heal network at 39 locations open with 169+ in development
  • Happy Belly portfolio totals 686 contractually committed franchise locations

Negative

  • None.

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 11, 2026) - 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 that, further to its May 28th, 2025 news release announcing the signing of a franchise agreement for Heal Wellness in the province of Nova Scotia, Heal Wellness ("Heal"), its fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies quick-serve restaurant ("QSR") brand, has secured a real estate location in the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This location represents the first of two planned Heal Wellness locations in Halifax for multi-unit franchisee Wade Bruce and is expected to open in Q3 2026.

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Halifax, Nova Scotia is an attractive market for Heal Wellness, supported by strong population growth, a young and active demographic profile, and a growing demand for convenient, better-for-you food options. As the largest urban centre in Atlantic Canada, Halifax continues to attract students, young professionals, families, and newcomers, creating a strong customer base for Heal's fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, smoothies, and wellness-focused quick-serve menu. With a significant working-age population, a vibrant downtown core, major universities, healthcare and government employment hubs, and an increasingly health-conscious consumer base, Halifax provides an ideal environment for Heal Wellness to expand its presence in Atlantic Canada as we further advance our disciplined, asset-light growth strategy .

"We are very pleased to announce that Wade has secured real estate for his first Heal Wellness location in Halifax," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "This is an important next step following the previously announced signing of his franchise agreement for the city. Halifax continues to be an important city for our Atlantic Canada expansion. Each secured real estate location strengthens our national growth pipeline and brings us one step closer to bringing Heal's product offering to more cities in Atlantic Canada. As we continue to scale Heal and the rest of Happy Belly's portfolio of emerging brands, our focus remains on executing with the 3Ps: People, Product, and Process."

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"Heal Wellness continues to expand rapidly across Canada and into the United States, solidifying its position as a leading açaí and smoothie bowl brand. With 39 locations open and more than 169 in development, Heal contributes to Happy Belly's broader portfolio of 686 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple emerging brands in various stages of development, construction, and operation. Our predictable and disciplined growth engine continues to deliver measurable results as we expand our brands across Canada and the U.S. to create long-term value for our shareholders."

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

About Heal Wellness
Heal Wellness was founded with a passion and mission to provide quick, fresh wellness foods that support a busy and active lifestyle. We currently offer a diverse range of smoothie bowls and smoothies. We take pride in meticulously selecting every superfood ingredient on our menu to fuel the body, including acai smoothie bowls, smoothies, and super-seed grain bowls. Our smoothie bowls are crafted with real fruit and enriched with superfoods like acai, pitaya, goji berries, chia seeds, and more.

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.

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Figure 3

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Sean Black
Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer

Shawn Moniz
Co-founder, President

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/296883

FAQ

What did Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) announce about Heal Wellness in Halifax?

Happy Belly announced that Heal Wellness has secured its first real estate location in Halifax, Nova Scotia. According to Happy Belly, this site is the first of two planned Halifax units for a multi-unit franchisee and is expected to open in Q3 2026.

When is the first Heal Wellness Halifax location expected to open for Happy Belly (HBFGF) investors?

The first Heal Wellness location in Halifax is expected to open in Q3 2026. According to Happy Belly, this opening follows a previously signed franchise agreement and forms part of the company’s asset-light, franchise-driven growth strategy in Atlantic Canada.

How many Heal Wellness locations does Happy Belly Food Group (HBFGF) have and plan to develop?

Heal Wellness currently has 39 locations open and more than 169 in development. According to Happy Belly, these units contribute to a broader portfolio of 686 contractually committed franchise locations across several emerging food brands in different development stages.

Why is Halifax, Nova Scotia important for Happy Belly’s Heal Wellness expansion strategy?

Halifax is viewed as an attractive market due to population growth and health-focused consumers. According to Happy Belly, its large working-age population, universities, and wellness-oriented demand make Halifax a key city for expanding Heal Wellness across Atlantic Canada via an asset-light franchise model.

How does the Heal Wellness Halifax real estate deal support Happy Belly (HBFGF) growth plans?

Securing the Halifax real estate advances Happy Belly’s disciplined, asset-light growth pipeline. According to Happy Belly, each confirmed site moves Heal Wellness closer to bringing smoothie bowls and wellness-focused QSR options to more Atlantic Canada cities while scaling the broader portfolio of emerging brands.

What is the role of franchisee Wade Bruce in Happy Belly’s Heal Wellness Halifax expansion?

Franchisee Wade Bruce is the multi-unit operator behind the first Heal Wellness Halifax site. According to Happy Belly, the secured location is the first of two planned Halifax units under his franchise agreement, supporting the company’s national expansion of asset-light QSR brands.