{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"153789","rtpr_id":"nNFC13MjLn-20260928","ticker":"HBFG","exchange":"","all_tickers":["HBFG"],"title":"Happy Belly Food Group Named One of Canada's Top Growing Companies for 2026 by The Globe and Mail","author":"Newsfile Corp","published_at":"2026-09-28T10:00:13.355Z","article_body":"Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 28, 2026) - Happy Belly Food\nGroup Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) (\"Happy Belly\" or the \"Company\"), a\nleading consolidator of emerging restaurant brands, is pleased to announce its\ninclusion in the 2026 Report on Business magazine ranking of Canada's Top\nGrowing Companies, published by The Globe and Mail. Happy Belly was ranked as\nthe top listed public company with 3-yr revenue growth of 708%, as well as the\ntop quick serve restaurant (\"QSR\") company.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_001full.jpg)\n\nHappy Belly 1\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_001full.jpg\n\nThe recognition marks an important milestone as Happy Belly continues to\nexpand its portfolio of restaurant brands through disciplined acquisitions and\nan asset-light franchising model. Happy Belly's inclusion is validation for\nthe Company's progress in building a platform that supports emerging\nrestaurant brands as we expand into new markets.\n\n\"Being recognized among Canada's Top Growing Companies is a proud moment for\nthe entire Happy Belly team,\" said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of\nHappy Belly. \"This recognition reflects the commitment of our franchisees and\nour whole team across Happy Belly Food Group. Without them, this would not be\npossible.\"\n\n\"Our focus remains on building a business that rewards our franchisees, our\nshareholders, our team, and our key supply chain partners\" added Sean Black.\n\"That means selecting the right partners, supporting our franchisees and\nprioritizing our return on invested capital for our shareholders. As we\ncontinue to develop our portfolio, we believe this approach positions Happy\nBelly to create long-term value for our shareholders while providing\nopportunities for entrepreneurs to grow alongside us.\" The Company continues\nto focus on converting its development pipeline into operating restaurants.\n\n\"The Globe and Mail congratulates the winners of Canada's Top Growing\nCompanies 2026 on this exceptional achievement,\" says Andrew Saunders,\nPresident and CEO of The Globe and Mail. \"Each of these organizations has\nshown an extraordinary ability to adapt, innovate and grow amid ongoing\nchange. Their achievements reflect the ingenuity and determination of Canadian\nentrepreneurs and business leaders who are helping shape the future of our\neconomy.\"\n\nThe full list of 2026 winners, along with editorial coverage, is published in\nthe October issue of Report on Business magazine. The list is also published\nonline at Canada's Top Growing Companies of 2026.\n(https://api.newsfilecorp.com/redirect/GzLDjsWV5N)\n\n\"We are just getting started\", said Sean Black.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_002full.jpg)\n\nHappy Belly 2\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_002full.jpg\n\nFranchising\nFor franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/\nor contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.\n\nAbout Happy Belly Food Group\nHappy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) (\"Happy Belly\" or the\n\"Company\") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across\nCanada.\n\nSean Black\nCo-founder, Chief Executive Officer\n\nShawn Moniz\nCo-founder, President\n\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:\nwww: www.happybellyfg.com or email hello@happybellyfg.com\nIf you wish to contact us please call: 1-877-589-8805\n\nNeither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider\n(as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange)\naccepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release,\nwhich has been prepared by management.\n\nCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements\n\nAll statements in this press release, other than statements of historical\nfact, are \"forward-looking information\" with respect to the Company within the\nmeaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is\nfrequently characterized by words such as \"plan\", \"expect\", \"project\",\n\"intend\", \"believe\", \"anticipate\", \"estimate\" and other similar words, or\nstatements that certain events or conditions \"may\" or \"will\" occur and include\nthe future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking\nstatements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements\nare made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other\nfactors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from\nthose anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties\ninherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the\nCompany's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy\nBelly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or\ntime frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update\nforward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or\nopinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not\nto place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of\nthe risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs,\nreaders should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and\nother disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted\non www.sedarplus.ca.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/316285","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nNFC13MjLn-20260928","title":"Happy Belly Food Group Named One of Canada's Top Growing Companies for 2026 by The Globe and Mail","author":"Newsfile Corp","ticker":"HBFG","created":"2026-09-28T10:00:13.355Z","tickers":["HBFG"],"exchange":"","article_body":"Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 28, 2026) - Happy Belly Food\nGroup Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) (\"Happy Belly\" or the \"Company\"), a\nleading consolidator of emerging restaurant brands, is pleased to announce its\ninclusion in the 2026 Report on Business magazine ranking of Canada's Top\nGrowing Companies, published by The Globe and Mail. Happy Belly was ranked as\nthe top listed public company with 3-yr revenue growth of 708%, as well as the\ntop quick serve restaurant (\"QSR\") company.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_001full.jpg)\n\nHappy Belly 1\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_001full.jpg\n\nThe recognition marks an important milestone as Happy Belly continues to\nexpand its portfolio of restaurant brands through disciplined acquisitions and\nan asset-light franchising model. Happy Belly's inclusion is validation for\nthe Company's progress in building a platform that supports emerging\nrestaurant brands as we expand into new markets.\n\n\"Being recognized among Canada's Top Growing Companies is a proud moment for\nthe entire Happy Belly team,\" said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of\nHappy Belly. \"This recognition reflects the commitment of our franchisees and\nour whole team across Happy Belly Food Group. Without them, this would not be\npossible.\"\n\n\"Our focus remains on building a business that rewards our franchisees, our\nshareholders, our team, and our key supply chain partners\" added Sean Black.\n\"That means selecting the right partners, supporting our franchisees and\nprioritizing our return on invested capital for our shareholders. As we\ncontinue to develop our portfolio, we believe this approach positions Happy\nBelly to create long-term value for our shareholders while providing\nopportunities for entrepreneurs to grow alongside us.\" The Company continues\nto focus on converting its development pipeline into operating restaurants.\n\n\"The Globe and Mail congratulates the winners of Canada's Top Growing\nCompanies 2026 on this exceptional achievement,\" says Andrew Saunders,\nPresident and CEO of The Globe and Mail. \"Each of these organizations has\nshown an extraordinary ability to adapt, innovate and grow amid ongoing\nchange. Their achievements reflect the ingenuity and determination of Canadian\nentrepreneurs and business leaders who are helping shape the future of our\neconomy.\"\n\nThe full list of 2026 winners, along with editorial coverage, is published in\nthe October issue of Report on Business magazine. The list is also published\nonline at Canada's Top Growing Companies of 2026.\n(https://api.newsfilecorp.com/redirect/GzLDjsWV5N)\n\n\"We are just getting started\", said Sean Black.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_002full.jpg)\n\nHappy Belly 2\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/316285_6e25aea8c49a7956_002full.jpg\n\nFranchising\nFor franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/\nor contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.\n\nAbout Happy Belly Food Group\nHappy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) (\"Happy Belly\" or the\n\"Company\") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across\nCanada.\n\nSean Black\nCo-founder, Chief Executive Officer\n\nShawn Moniz\nCo-founder, President\n\nFOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:\nwww: www.happybellyfg.com or email hello@happybellyfg.com\nIf you wish to contact us please call: 1-877-589-8805\n\nNeither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider\n(as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange)\naccepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release,\nwhich has been prepared by management.\n\nCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements\n\nAll statements in this press release, other than statements of historical\nfact, are \"forward-looking information\" with respect to the Company within the\nmeaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is\nfrequently characterized by words such as \"plan\", \"expect\", \"project\",\n\"intend\", \"believe\", \"anticipate\", \"estimate\" and other similar words, or\nstatements that certain events or conditions \"may\" or \"will\" occur and include\nthe future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking\nstatements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements\nare made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other\nfactors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from\nthose anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties\ninherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the\nCompany's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy\nBelly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or\ntime frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update\nforward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or\nopinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not\nto place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of\nthe risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs,\nreaders should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and\nother disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted\non www.sedarplus.ca.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/316285"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-09-28T10:00:13.417509327Z","server_sent_at_ms":1790589613417},"received_at":"2026-09-28T10:00:13.485Z","source_url":"https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/316285"},"analysis":{"id":"142574","press_release_id":"153789","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure","sector":"Consumer Discretionary"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Happy Belly Food Group was named to The Globe and Mail's 2026 Canada's Top Growing Companies list, ranked as the top listed public company with 3-year revenue growth of 708%.\n\nThe company was also ranked the top quick serve restaurant company, with management framing the recognition as validation of its acquisition-driven, asset-light franchising strategy.\n\nNo new financial results or guidance were disclosed; the release is a promotional milestone for the emerging restaurant-brand consolidator.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"PR-tier recognition with 708% 3-yr growth headline -- useful for brand awareness, not a catalyst."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"ranking":"top listed public company and top QSR company in Canada's Top Growing Companies 2026","three_yr_revenue_growth":"708%"}},"quotedText":"Being recognized among Canada's Top Growing Companies is a proud moment for the entire Happy Belly team","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Sean Black","role":"Co-founder, CEO"},{"name":"Shawn Moniz","role":"Co-founder, President"},{"name":"Andrew Saunders","role":"President and CEO of The Globe and Mail"}],"products":[],"companies":[{"name":"Happy Belly Food Group Inc.","ticker":"HBFG","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"The Globe and Mail","relationship":"publisher of ranking"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Recognition in a magazine ranking is a credibility/PR milestone, not a financial event. It cites 708% three-year revenue growth but discloses no new financial results or guidance."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"HBFG"},"globalImportance":15,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap (CSE/OTCQB)","eventGravity":"award/ranking recognition","issuerAuthored":true,"financialContent":"none beyond 3-yr growth rate"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Happy Belly Food Group was named to The Globe and Mail's 2026 Canada's Top Growing Companies list, ranked as the top listed public company with 3-year revenue growth of 708%.\n\nThe company was also ranked the top quick serve restaurant company, with management framing the recognition as validation of its acquisition-driven, asset-light franchising strategy.\n\nNo new financial results or guidance were disclosed; the release is a promotional milestone for the emerging restaurant-brand consolidator.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"ranking":"top listed public company and top QSR company in Canada's Top Growing Companies 2026","three_yr_revenue_growth":"708%"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Sean Black","role":"Co-founder, CEO"},{"name":"Shawn Moniz","role":"Co-founder, President"},{"name":"Andrew Saunders","role":"President and CEO of The Globe and Mail"}],"products":[],"companies":[{"name":"Happy Belly Food Group Inc.","ticker":"HBFG","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"The Globe and Mail","relationship":"publisher of ranking"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-09-28T10:00:18.401Z","global_importance":15,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap (CSE/OTCQB)","eventGravity":"award/ranking recognition","issuerAuthored":true,"financialContent":"none beyond 3-yr growth rate"}},"durationMs":4893,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}