Happy Belly Food Group Inc. has announced a major franchise development agreement for its growing Heal Wellness brand, to open 45 new locations across Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba over the next three years. The initiative is led by an experienced partnership group including Alex Rechichi, David Lamph, Randall Papineau, and Heal co-founder Jesse Davidson, with financial backing from Toronto-based Bedford Park Capital. The deal represents a significant milestone for Heal Wellness, a quick-service restaurant chain specializing in smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and health-focused offerings. It also marks the brand’s entry into Manitoba and Saskatchewan, accelerating its national expansion and strengthening its market position in Canada’s growing health food sector. CEO Sean Black highlighted the scale of the agreement as the largest of his career, emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership and Rechichi’s proven track record in building global franchise systems. Rechichi has stepped down from Happy Belly’s Board of Directors to lead the expansion full-time, underscoring his confidence in the brand’s growth potential. Additional organizational changes include Black assuming the role of Chairman and Papineau transitioning to an advisory position. With 42 locations currently open and over 166 in development, Heal Wellness continues to play a key role in Happy Belly’s broader portfolio of nearly 700 committed franchise locations across North America, driving long-term growth and shareholder value. The Heal Wellness restaurants target highly visible street front, plaza and open centre locations with convenient access and in the 500 to 2000 square foot range. The group expects to start opening in Ontario in about 90 days and a site search is presently underway in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Sari Samarah, Daniel Kershen and Joseph Cesario at Value Insight Realty handle the site selection for Heal Wellness in Ontario and Steve Travers at Ironstone Developments is handling the search in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Value Insight Realty, 140 Yonge St., Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1X6 Tel: 416/269-6747 (Sari Samarah – Ext 101 sari.samarah@valueinsightrealty.com), (Daniel Kershen – Ext 102 daniel.kershen@valueinsightrealty.com) & (Joseph Cesario – Ext 104 jcre416@gmail.com)
Ironstone Developments – Calgary, Alberta (Stephen Travers (403/589-0565 steve.travers.calgary@gmail.com)
Bedford Park Capital, 106 Avenue Rd., Toronto, Ontario M5R 2H3 (416/623-8190 www.bedfordparkcapital.com)
Happy Belly Food Group Inc.- Toronto, Ontario (www.happybellyfg.com) & (www.healwellness.ca)