Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFG) announced that its Heal Wellness brand secured a 10-unit franchise agreement for the Greater Montreal area with an existing multi-unit franchisee, according to a company statement.

The franchisees, Pietro Maio and partner Lucio Carlomusto, previously opened a Heal Wellness location in Griffintown. The partnership represents the company's third major agreement in Quebec province.

Heal Wellness operates as a quick-service restaurant brand specializing in smoothie bowls, açaí bowls, and smoothies. The brand currently has 41 locations open and more than 167 in development stages.

"Following a very successful opening in Griffintown last month by our franchisee, Pietro Maio and his partner Lucio Carlomusto, they have decided to become multi-unit franchisees of Heal," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly.

The franchisees also hold a multi-unit agreement for 10 Rosie's Burgers locations through their partnership with Carma Hospitality, making them multi-brand operators within Happy Belly's portfolio.

Happy Belly Food Group operates a portfolio of 686 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple brands in various stages of development, construction, and operation. The Toronto-based company focuses on acquiring and scaling food brands across Canada.

The new Montreal-area locations will target Quebec's urban and suburban markets as part of Heal Wellness's expansion strategy across Canada and into the United States.