Franchisor Happy Belly Food Group has secured the first Alberta location for its Pirho Greek Grill quick-service restaurant chain.

Happy Belly has leased space in RioCan REIT’s Glenmore Landing Shopping Centre in southwest Calgary. The space is the first of 30 planned Pirho locations in Alberta, said Sean Black, Happy Belly’s chief investment officer, in a news release.

“Through our accelerated franchise development model and strategic real estate growth plan, Pirho is positioned to become a category leader in Canada with first mover advantage, just like Cava Grill in the United States,” said Black. “This was a major part of our success in our launch of Mucho Burrito.”

Entrepreneur Scott Grandin is serving as Pirho’s area developer in Alberta, holding the quick-service restaurant chain’s franchise rights in the province. He is also Pirho’s Ontario area developer.

“I am excited to contribute to the growth of this brand and will continue to expand its footprint here in Western Canada alongside Ontario,” said Grandin.

Vancouver-based Happy Belly bills itself as a leading consolidator of food brands. Its chains include Heal, Lettuce Love, Joey Turks Island Grill and Yolks.

Photo: Pirho Greek Grill/Happy Belly