Toronto, Ontario — March 5, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Happy Belly Food Group Inc. announced that iQ Food Co. has secured a location for its first restaurant in Western Canada, located in Calgary, Alberta.
The signing of the lease marks the first location expansion outside of Ontario for the brand and a milestone in iQ’s national expansion strategy, supporting the company’s continued execution against its organic growth pipeline.
iQ Food Co. is a quick service restaurant concept known for its menu of dishes, including bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, soups and salads.
Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly Food Group, said securing the first Western Canada location marks an important step in the national expansion plan for iQ and Happy Belly. He added that Calgary is a health-forward market with customer fundamentals, an ideal fit for iQ’s positioning, and that the location reflects a disciplined approach to expansion by prioritizing real estate that supports daily demand and unit economics.
Black said the momentum behind iQ validates both the strength of the concept and Happy Belly’s execution. At the time of acquisition in Q3 2024, iQ operated four locations, and has since grown its footprint to seven opened locations, with number eight opening in Q2 2026. Calgary will be the ninth location in Canada.
With Area Development Agreements across Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia totaling 65 committed units, Happy Belly is building the foundation to scale iQ into a nationally recognized brand and drive sustained expansion in Canada’s urban markets.
Happy Belly’s portfolio includes 666 contractually committed retail franchise locations across multiple brands, spanning various stages of development, construction, and operation. Black said the company’s growth engine is delivering measurable results as it expands its brands across Canada and the U.S.
iQ is a brand in Canada’s healthy eating market and is located in urban and central business districts. iQ caters to health-conscious customers from local businesses and offers catering services in downtown densely populated areas.
For franchising inquiries, see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact hello@happybellyfg.com.
The Company’s portfolio includes Heal Wellness, Rosie’s Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, iQ Food Co., and others.
Source: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
