Gong cha has signed a 50-unit exclusive area development agreement in Texas with Baker's Acres & Cattle Company, marking the largest franchise deal in the company's history and significantly expanding its presence in one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the United States. The agreement represents a major milestone for the global bubble tea brand as it accelerates its North American growth strategy.
The Texas expansion comes amid rising demand for specialty beverage concepts across the United States. Gong cha Americas President Geoff Henry said the company views Texas as a particularly attractive market because of its population growth, strong consumer interest in bubble tea, and the scalability of the brand's operating model. The partnership with Baker's Acres & Cattle Company gives Gong cha a long-term development platform across multiple Texas markets.
Gong cha currently operates more than 240 locations across 23 states and has been expanding steadily through franchising. The company says its Gong cha 2.0 platform has modernized store design, technology, and operational systems, giving franchisees tools intended to improve efficiency and create a more consistent customer experience across locations.
Industry analysts have increasingly pointed to specialty beverages as one of the stronger growth categories within foodservice, with younger consumers driving demand for customizable drinks and premium tea-based offerings. By committing to a large-scale Texas rollout, Gong cha is positioning itself to capture a larger share of that expanding market while strengthening brand awareness in the South.
As franchise systems grow rapidly across multiple territories, maintaining operational consistency becomes increasingly important. Knowledge Base tools available within Gorilla Dash can help franchise operators centralize training materials, operating procedures, and brand standards, making it easier for new locations and franchise teams to access the information they need during expansion.
For Gong cha, the Texas agreement is more than a regional development deal. It is a signal that the company believes bubble tea has moved firmly into the mainstream of American food and beverage culture, and that Texas could become one of the brand's most important growth markets in the years ahead.