Gong Cha Signs Major 50-Unit Texas Franchise Expansion Deal

Gong Cha is setting the stage for significant growth in Texas after reaching a 50-location development agreement with Houston-based Bakers Acres & Cattle Company.

Led by Brett Walker, the family-owned franchise group plans to expand the bubble tea brand across Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio over the next seven years.

The agreement is Gong Cha’s largest direct franchise development deal to date and gives the brand an experienced multi-unit operator as it works to strengthen its presence in the United States.

Bakers Acres & Cattle Company, commonly known as BACC, officially became part of the Gong Cha system on July 1 after acquiring four existing stores in Austin and San Antonio. Shortly afterward, the company agreed to develop another 50 locations throughout Texas.

For Walker and his family, the expansion adds a second major franchise brand to a portfolio that already includes Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Family-Owned Franchise Group Expands Its Portfolio

Walker founded BACC with his wife, Wendi, in 2015. Since then, the business has grown into a family operation involving two of their four children and three children-in-law.

The company has interests spanning franchising, commercial real estate, agriculture and cattle.

Its unusual name reflects those different areas of business. “Bakers” represents the company’s Nothing Bundt Cakes operations, while “Acres” and “Cattle” point to its real estate and agricultural interests.

BACC has already built considerable experience as a multi-unit franchise operator.

The company previously signed a development agreement for 12 Nothing Bundt Cakes locations throughout Greater Houston. Six stores are currently operating, with Walker expecting the group to have nine open by the end of the year.

When the family decided to diversify its franchise holdings, it took a broad look at the market.

BACC reviewed more than 120 franchise opportunities and attended 10 discovery days before selecting Gong Cha.

The group was looking for a concept with the potential to become one of the strongest brands in its category. Gong Cha’s leadership, operating structure and technology investments helped move the bubble tea company to the top of the list.

Gong Cha Builds Momentum in the U.S.

Gong Cha was founded in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2006. Its name is commonly translated as “tribute tea for the emperor.”

The company began franchising in 2009 and has since grown into an international beverage brand with thousands of locations around the world.

Its menu features milk tea, milk foam drinks, tea lattes, slush beverages, specialty tea creations and coffee, allowing stores to serve a broad range of customers within the growing boba tea category.

The United States has become an increasingly important part of Gong Cha’s expansion plans.

The brand is nearing 240 U.S. locations across 25 states and Washington, D.C., while making changes that give its corporate team greater control over domestic franchise growth.

Earlier this year, Gong Cha acquired master franchise rights covering 175 locations across 13 states. That followed its acquisition of California franchise rights in 2025.

The strategy allows the company to work more directly with franchisees and pursue larger development agreements with experienced multi-unit operators.

Gong Cha Americas President Geoff Henry sees the BACC partnership as an example of the type of franchise relationship the company wants as it scales.

BACC brings an existing management team, multi-unit operating experience and the financial resources required for large-scale development.

Texas Deal Arrives as Gong Cha Prepares for New Ownership

Gong Cha’s Texas expansion is happening alongside another major development for the company.

Private equity firm Bain Capital has announced plans to acquire Gong Cha Global from TA Associates. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter.

The investment is expected to help support the company’s next phase of global expansion, including continued growth in the United States.

Traditional storefronts will remain central to the strategy, but Gong Cha is also evaluating alternative formats that could extend the brand into new types of locations.

Those opportunities could include additional airport stores and drive-thru units.

Gong Cha 2.0 Brings More Automation to Stores

Technology is also becoming a larger part of Gong Cha’s franchise model.

The company has expanded its U.S. support infrastructure in areas including operations, marketing, training, franchise development, finance and supply chain.

That investment is especially important as Gong Cha begins working with more operators responsible for multiple locations.

One of the most visible changes is Gong Cha 2.0, an updated store and operating model that combines self-ordering kiosks with the company’s Super Wu beverage automation technology.

Super Wu handles key parts of drink preparation before employees complete the beverage by adding toppings or other ingredients.

Walker believes the system could improve both speed and consistency.

Based on BACC’s experience with the technology, drinks that previously required approximately two to three minutes of preparation can be completed in roughly 40 seconds.

The company intends to introduce Gong Cha 2.0 and Super Wu into the four stores it recently acquired. Future Texas locations under the 50-unit agreement are also expected to use the updated model.

What Does a Gong Cha Franchise Cost?

Gong Cha is expanding at a time when boba tea continues to attract greater attention from consumers and franchise investors.

The estimated investment to open a Gong Cha franchise ranges from about $177,430 to $335,400. That figure includes an initial franchise fee of $41,500.

Franchisees also pay an ongoing royalty of 5.5% of gross sales.

Financial requirements depend on the type and size of development opportunity. Prospective operators may be expected to have a net worth ranging from approximately $300,000 to $4 million, along with roughly $150,000 to $2 million in available liquid capital.

Larger development agreements naturally require greater financial capacity than an individual store.

Training and Franchise Support

Before opening a Gong Cha location, the franchisee and a designated store manager participate in approximately 14 days of training in New York.

The program covers key areas of the business, including store operations, marketing, staffing, financial management and other day-to-day responsibilities.

Support continues after the store opens through the company’s franchise and operations teams.

Restaurant experience can be beneficial for prospective owners, but it is not necessarily required. Gong Cha’s franchise system is structured to train qualified operators on the brand’s processes and operating standards.

The company has marketed franchise opportunities across a number of states, including Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

Gong Cha has also participated in SBA-related franchise financing programs, potentially giving qualified candidates another avenue for funding their investment.

At the local level, franchisees can participate in fundraising programs and community partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations and other groups.

Houston Will Lead the Next Phase of Development

BACC does not plan to wait long before putting its Texas development agreement into action.

The franchise group expects its first new locations tied to the agreement to open in Houston this year.

Walker is targeting approximately seven to 10 additional Gong Cha stores during the next two years before accelerating expansion across Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

The broader goal is to establish Gong Cha as a recognizable bubble tea brand throughout Texas.

For Gong Cha, the 50-unit agreement provides an opportunity to build density in four of the state’s most important metropolitan markets with an experienced franchise organization.

For BACC, it represents another major step in the evolution of a family business that has grown by investing in franchise brands it believes have the potential to lead their categories.

Explore more about Gong cha Franchise opportunities.