Happy Belly Food Group's Rosie's Burgers QSR Announces the Signing of a Franchise Agreement and Secured Real Estate for Whitby, Ontario
Rhea-AI Summary
Happy Belly Food Group (OTCQB: HBFGF) announced a signed franchise agreement and secured real estate for a new Rosie's Burgers quick-service restaurant in Whitby, Ontario on December 4, 2025.
The Whitby site is described as a high-visibility retail corridor with strong daily traffic and a demographic fit for Rosie's menu. The company highlights 115 Rosie's locations secured under multi-unit and area development agreements and 646 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its portfolio in various stages of development, construction, and operation.
Positive
- Franchise agreement signed for a new Rosie's in Whitby, Ontario
- Whitby site secured in high-visibility retail corridor
- 115 Rosie's locations secured under multi-unit and area development agreements
- 646 contractually committed retail franchise locations across portfolio
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, HBFGF gained 2.46%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HBFGF gained 6.53% while key peers like BEOLF (-0.45%) and AMNF (-1.02%) were down, and others (UMEWF, NXMH, LIMX) were flat, pointing to a stock-specific reaction rather than a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-08 | Leadership changes | Positive | +2.6% | Executive promotions to support franchising growth and 2026 expansion plans. |
| 2025-12-05 | Franchise opening | Positive | +2.1% | Heal Wellness first Atlantic Canada location adding to franchise pipeline. |
| 2025-12-04 | Franchise agreement | Positive | +2.5% | Rosie’s Burgers franchise deal and site secured in Whitby, Ontario. |
| 2025-12-02 | Development deal | Positive | +1.3% | 20-unit Smile Tiger Coffee area development agreement in Ontario. |
| 2025-12-01 | Franchise opening | Positive | +0.0% | New Heal Wellness location opened in Calgary’s Bridgeland neighbourhood. |
Recent company news around franchising expansion and leadership changes has consistently coincided with modest positive price reactions.
Over the past weeks, Happy Belly has highlighted rapid franchise-driven growth across its QSR portfolio. Heal Wellness opened new locations in Calgary and PEI, contributing to a pipeline of up to 646 contractually committed retail franchise locations. Smile Tiger Coffee expanded via a 20-unit Ontario development agreement, and leadership changes on December 8, 2025 were framed around scaling franchising and U.S. entry. Today’s Rosie's Burgers Whitby agreement and real estate securing fit this pattern of steady footprint expansion.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlighted continued execution of Happy Belly’s franchising strategy, with a new Rosie's Burgers franchise agreement and secured Whitby real estate adding to 115 Rosie's locations under development agreements and a broader pipeline of 646 contractually committed units. Recent news across Heal Wellness and Smile Tiger Coffee similarly emphasized asset-light growth. Investors may monitor how quickly these commitments convert into operating stores, the performance of new locations, and whether the stock’s position above its 200-day MA remains supported by results.
Key Terms
franchise agreement financial
quick-service restaurant technical
area development agreements financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging food brands is pleased to announce that a franchise agreement has been signed and a prime real estate location has been secured for a new Rosie's Burgers ("Rosie's") restaurant in Whitby, Ontario. Rosie's is a boutique QSR brand serving its signature smash burgers, poutine, onion rings, milkshakes, and more.
Happy Belly 1
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/276905_875734e994e57999_001full.jpg
"Whitby represents another high-quality market for Rosie's as we continue to accelerate our expansion across Canada," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "This signing reinforces the strength of our franchise system, our disciplined site-selection model, and the growing demand for Rosie's across the Greater Toronto Area."
The secured Whitby site sits within a bustling, high-visibility retail corridor that benefits from strong daily traffic, robust neighbourhood growth, and proximity to families, commuters, and professionals - providing the ideal demographic fit for Rosie's nostalgic smash burger offering.
Happy Belly 2
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/276905_875734e994e57999_002full.jpg
"With 115 Rosie's locations secured under multi-unit and area development agreements across key Canadian provinces, the brand is positioned to scale rapidly in the years ahead as U.S. development begins. Our dual expansion strategy of combining franchised growth with targeted corporate store openings, reinforces our commitment to accelerating Rosie's development as we advance our mission to become a predictable and disciplined growth company, Canada's #1 restaurant consolidator."
Across the Happy Belly portfolio we have 646 contractually committed retail franchise locations in various stages of development, construction, and operation-executing a consistent, returns-focused strategy to create long-term shareholder value through franchising.
About Rosie's Burgers
Deliciously handcrafted smashed burgers, golden fries, and classic milkshakes. Rosie's is your neighbourhood burger shop serving up nostalgic flavours you know, love, and crave. From our Smashburger's and French fries to strawberry shakes and onion rings-we're all about keeping things simple and perfecting tradition. Because the classics were made classic for a reason, right?
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 3
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/276905_875734e994e57999_003full.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/276905
FAQ
What did Happy Belly (HBFGF) announce on December 4, 2025 about Rosie's Burgers?
How many Rosie's Burgers locations has Happy Belly secured under development agreements (HBFGF)?
How many contractually committed retail franchise locations does Happy Belly report (HBFGF)?
Where is the new Rosie's Burgers location announced by HBFGF located?
What growth strategy did Happy Belly highlight in the HBFGF announcement?
