Bubble tea powerhouse Gong Cha is gearing up for a big Texas push, backed by a new franchise deal that could seed dozens of fresh shops across the state. The Taiwan-born brand and a Houston-based franchise partner say the plan calls for roughly 50 locations across Texas' four largest metro areas over the next seven years. For San Antonio, where Gong Cha already operates multiple local outlets, that would amount to a major expansion of the chain's footprint.
As reported by CultureMap San Antonio, the franchise agreement names Bakers Acres & Cattle Company as the owner of the new Texas stores. The announcement did not spell out which neighborhoods will land the earliest openings or how many units each city will get, so the first wave of locations is still under wraps.
According to Bakers Acres & Cattle Company, the Houston family business manages ranchland, commercial real estate and franchise holdings, including Nothing Bundt Cakes, and will operate the new Gong Cha units in Texas. Franchise disclosure records and local business listings point to multiple existing Gong Cha addresses in San Antonio, underscoring the brand's modest current footprint in the city (franchise filings). Gong Cha's U.S. site notes the company was founded in Taiwan in 2006 and now counts more than 2,200 stores worldwide.
Boba Boom In Texas
Industry trackers say bubble tea is no longer a niche craving. Food On Demand reports that U.S. shop counts have climbed into the tens of thousands and that Texas ranks among the most boba-dense states, which helps explain why franchisors are so interested in the market. Local guides and listings show San Antonio's bubble tea scene clustered in newer northern retail corridors rather than the historic downtown core, a pattern that could shape where Gong Cha sites appear, according to MySanAntonio.
When And Where To Expect Stores
The agreement covers Texas' four major metros: Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, with openings staged over a seven-year plan, CultureMap San Antonio reports. Neither Gong Cha nor Bakers Acres has released a store-by-store schedule, so the exact timing and precise San Antonio locations are still to be announced.
What To Expect From The Menu And Format
Gong Cha is known for a highly customizable menu of milk and fruit teas that can be adjusted for sweetness and temperature, then topped with pearls, milk foam, pudding or flavored jellies, offerings the company highlights as central to its brand experience. The chain also emphasizes frequent small-batch brewing to keep drinks consistent and fresh, a practice detailed on Gong Cha's U.S. pages.
Franchise rollouts hinge on leasing, buildout and permitting, so local openings will depend on Bakers Acres' site choices and the pace of approvals. Coverage will be updated as specific San Antonio locations and opening dates are released.
