Meet the Team
Sean Black
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder
Sean Black has owned restaurants since he was 19, fueled by a passion that led him to co‑found Extreme Brandz, the operator of Extreme Pita, Mucho Burrito, and Purblendz. He was pivotal in growing the company to over 340 franchised restaurants across North America. In 2013, Extreme Brandz was acquired by MTY Food Group [TSX:MTY].
Sean then served as MTY’s Chief Development Officer, where he revitalized many brands with his expertise in growth and brand development. After MTY, he co‑founded Crave It Restaurant Group, operator of The Burger’s Priest and Fresh Plant‑Powered Restaurants. In 2021, he achieved a second successful exit when the company was sold to Recipe Unlimited.
Shawn Moniz
Chief Operational Officer
Co-Founder
As co-founder, President and COO, Shawn oversees the overall firm-wide operations at Happy Belly Food Group. Shawn has a wealth of corporate leadership experience, proven capital markets expertise, and a brand marketing and advertising history spanning over 23 years with many well-known brands of fortune 500 companies.
Being a consummate strategist, he has a multitude of disciplinary backgrounds which have enabled him to play major roles in leading the vision, innovation, and growth strategy of many internationally known companies, while demonstrating exceptional leadership and mentorship to his teams.
John Delutis
Chief Restaurant Officer
John Delutis is a seasoned business leader with a proven track record of building brands, teams, and profitable operations. With extensive experience in the franchised food sector, he has held senior roles at Tim Hortons, Second Cup, Extreme Brandz, and MTY Group.
During his time as Brand Vice President at Mucho Burrito, John was instrumental in scaling the brand from under 20 locations to 165, building the infrastructure and teams required for sustained growth. While his roots are in operations, John brings deep expertise across disciplines, focusing on business growth, brand development, and long‑term success.
Alex Rechichi
Director, Chairman of the Board
Alex co‑founded Extreme Pita, Mucho Burrito, The Burger’s Priest, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, Bangkok Buri, and Fresh Plant Powered. As CEO of The Crave It Group, he recently sold The Burger’s Priest and Fresh Plant Powered to Recipe Unlimited [TSX: RECP]. Previously, Alex was Co‑Founder and CEO of Extreme Brandz from 1997–2013, growing it to over 340 franchised restaurants before its acquisition by MTY Group [TSX: MTY].
A Queen’s University graduate and Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 honoree, Alex led Extreme Brandz to be named Company of the Year by Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine and earned Extreme Pita a spot among Entrepreneur’s top 100 global franchises.
Kevin Cole
Director, CPG Expert
Kevin Cole is a seasoned CPG strategist and business builder with a proven track record of revitalizing declining or slow‑growing brands. He has developed and executed growth strategies that have delivered billions in incremental revenue and profit, positioning brands as category leaders across Petcare (PEDIGREE, IAMS, GREENIES, WHISKAS), Consumer Health (SENSODYNE, OXY), and Confections (FERRERO ROCHER).
Kevin has held senior executive roles with global CPG leaders, including MARS Canada, GSK Consumer Healthcare, and FERRERO, and is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s HBBA program.
Randall Papineau
President of Emerging Brands
Randall Papineau is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with a strong track record of shaping and scaling iconic Canadian brands, including Fresh Kitchen & Juice Bar, Chefs Plate, and Balzac’s Coffee. His expertise spans manufacturing, brand building, and operational improvements, allowing him to drive growth and streamline operations across various sectors. In addition to building brands, Randall has been actively involved in multiple acquisitions, helping companies expand their market presence and operational capabilities.
Randall began his entrepreneurial journey in the hospitality industry while pursuing a degree in the sciences, gaining valuable experience and a unique perspective that blends hands‑on operational knowledge with strong strategic vision. Known for executing large‑scale transformations, he is committed to driving innovation and success in all ventures.
David LeBlanc
VP Design & Construction
With nearly 20 years in design and construction, David LeBlanc has built a career working with both established chains and emerging brands. His expertise spans franchisors, general contractors, and millwork shops, making him a key asset in managing the design and construction of Happy Belly Food Group’s rapidly growing restaurant portfolio.
Before joining Happy Belly, David contributed to development, design, and construction for leading brands including Tim Hortons, Basil Box, Mucho Burrito, Extreme Pita, and B.Good. His experience across these projects honed his ability to balance creative design with the operational and logistical demands of restaurant construction. A graduate of Texas Lutheran University, David was an Academic All-American golfer and recognized in 2003 in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for his academic and athletic achievements. His commitment to excellence continues to guide his leadership at Happy Belly Food Group.
John Grieve
VP Operations, Western Canada
John Grieve is an experienced executive with deep expertise in the restaurant industry, specializing in operations management, team coaching, sales, retail, and events. With a proven track record of optimizing efficiency, he excels at managing daily operations and implementing strategic initiatives that reduce costs, boost productivity, and elevate customer satisfaction.
As a seasoned sales professional, John drives revenue growth through innovative sales strategies, targeted promotions, and effective customer engagement. Additionally, his background in event management allows him to successfully plan and execute a wide range of marketing events, strengthening the restaurant’s reputation as a premier destination for gatherings of all sizes.
Karen Krisko
Creative Director
Karen Krisko is Creative Director and brings extensive experience from the restaurant industry to her role. She leads the brand’s creative development and marketing initiatives.
Cynthia Yang
Franchise Counsel
As Franchise Counsel, Cynthia Yang oversees legal matters relating to franchising, compliance, and contract management. She is dedicated to ensuring our franchise network operates within regulatory standards while supporting the growth and success of our brand and partners.
Lindsay Hamelin
Compliance Regulatory
Lindsay serves as our Compliance & Regulatory Specialist, overseeing adherence to all applicable laws, policies, and industry standards. With strong expertise in risk management and regulatory frameworks, Lindsay ensures our organization operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability.