A popular international bubble tea chain is about to nearly double its Texas footprint. Gong Cha has announced its largest direct-franchising deal to date—a 50-unit agreement that will bring new locations to Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
Gong Cha Americas announced on Monday that Bakers Acres & Cattle Company (BACC), a Houston-based company, will open and operate the new locations. BACC has been operating Nothing Bundt Cakes franchises across Greater Houston since 2015.
“Franchisees are looking for concepts with operational simplicity, strong consumer demand and the ability to scale efficiently at relatively low cost, and Gong Cha delivers on all of these. From our flexible footprint and efficient labor model to the strength of our global brand recognition, we’ve built a platform designed to help operators grow strategically and sustainably across high-potential markets like Texas,” Geoff Henry, president of Gong Cha Americas, said in a press release.
The news comes after Gong Cha’s recent acquisition of master franchise rights to 170 locations across 13 states, including Texas. The bubble tea chain launched direct-franchising efforts in the U.S. in 2024.
Currently, Gong Cha has 35 Texas locations open today.
Neither Gong Cha or BACC has revealed official timelines or specific sites for the new locations, but they plan to open those 50 stores over the next seven years.
“With its premium positioning, operational sophistication, and strong consumer loyalty, Gong Cha immediately stood out as the right brand to grow with across Texas,” Brett Walker of BACC said in the press release. “Over the past decade, our family has built a highly disciplined multi-unit operating platform, and we know sustainable growth starts with the right systems, infrastructure and brand foundation. Gong Cha brings all of that together in a category with tremendous long-term potential.”
The first Gong Cha opened in Taiwan in 2006. Since then, it has grown to nearly 2,200 locations in 33 international markets, including more than 240 in the U.S. It is on track to surpass 500 stores in the Americas by 2028.