Last week, Happy Belly Food Group announced a definitive franchise acquisition agreement to acquire smash burger brand Rosie’s Burgers, a boutique QSR restaurant brand serving original recipe smash burgers, poutine, onion rings, milkshakes, etc. “We are very pleased to welcome Rosie’s Burgers to our portfolio of emerging brands,” said Happy Belly’s Chief Investment Officer Sean Black. “With the signing of this definitive agreement for an asset-light franchising model, we look forward to working with Rosie’s founders and their team as we focus on an accelerated franchise development model and real estate growth plan for across Canada.” Daniel, Dustin and Bryan Gelman launched Rosie’s Burgers in mid-2020 in a street front location on Lakeshore Rd. in Port Credit with a simple yet classic menu featuring smash burger style burgers. Following some pop-up events, a second location opened on Queen St West in Toronto in July 2021. A seasonal location has been added on Toronto’s Harbourfront and a Rosie’s Burgers will be opening in the Wellington Market component at The Well in downtown Toronto. “After announcing our entry into franchising in March of this year, we are excited to add Rosie’s Burgers to our franchised operations as our fourth franchised brand,” added Black. Happy Belly Food Group is planning to add new franchises and the sourcing of suitable new locations is currently underway. A joint-venture company was incorporated for the purposes of corporate franchise expansion and growth of Rosie’s Burger Restaurants. The JV company is 50 percent owned by Happy Belly and the owners of Rosie’s Burgers will hold the remaining 50 percent.
Happy Belly Food Group Inc.- Toronto, Ontario (www.happybellyfg.com) & (www.rosiesburgers.ca)