Happy Belly Food Group Announces First Signed U.S. Franchise Agreement & Real Estate for Heal Wellness in Lubbock, Texas

Happy Belly Food Group announced on April 7 2026 that it has signed its first U.S. franchise agreement for the Heal Wellness brand in Lubbock, Texas, with an expected opening in Q2 2026. The location is positioned near Texas Tech University to capture high‑foot‑traffic from a youthful demographic. This adds to Heal Wellness’ existing footprint of 35 operating locations and over 173 sites under development, contributing to the company’s broader portfolio of 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple brands.

The announcement represents an incremental step in the company’s previously disclosed U.S. expansion plan. Prior news releases (e.g., Jan 5 2026 securing a second U.S. real‑estate site, Nov 6 2025 announcing the first U.S. location) already indicated progress toward a Heal Wellness presence in the United States. Formalizing a franchise agreement for a single new unit is consistent with the stated growth engine and does not materially alter the overall pipeline of 666 committed sites or near‑term financial outlook. Consequently, the news is positive but expected and routine.

Happy Belly Food Group is a consolidator of emerging restaurant brands operating under an asset‑light franchising model. Its portfolio includes Heal Wellness (smoothie & açaí bowls), Rosie’s Burgers (smash burgers), Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, iQ Food Co., and Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters. The flagship brand is Heal Wellness, which has grown to 35 operating locations with over 173 sites under development and serves as the primary vehicle for the company’s U.S. expansion strategy.