After examining more than 120 franchise brands and attending 10 discovery days, Brett Walker and his family decided Gong Cha was the business they wanted to build next.
They did not start small.
Their company, Bakers Acres & Cattle Company, has agreed to develop 50 Gong Cha locations across Texas in what has become the bubble tea brand’s largest direct franchise agreement.
The stores will be developed in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio over seven years.
Before signing the large development deal, BACC took over four existing Gong Cha shops in Austin and San Antonio on July 1. That gave the company an immediate entry into the system and a chance to begin learning the business before launching its broader Texas expansion.
For a family that has already built a successful multi-unit franchise operation, the deal represents both diversification and a significant new growth opportunity.
A Family Business Built Across Several Industries
Bakers Acres & Cattle Company was established by Brett and Wendi Walker in 2015.
The name might sound unusual for a franchise organization, but it tells the story of the family’s business portfolio.
“Bakers” represents its Nothing Bundt Cakes franchises. “Acres” reflects the company’s real estate interests, while “Cattle” represents its involvement in agriculture.
The family connection runs through the organization as well.
Two of Brett and Wendi Walker’s four children are involved in the company, along with three of their children-in-law.
Over time, the business has grown into an operation covering franchising, property, agriculture and cattle.
That experience helped shape the family’s approach when it began searching for another franchise concept.
The Search Covered More Than 120 Franchise Brands
BACC already had a strong foundation in franchising through Nothing Bundt Cakes.
The company holds the rights to develop 12 stores across Greater Houston. Six are currently open, with the group expecting to operate nine by the end of the year.
Rather than automatically expanding further within the same category, the family began looking for another business that could become a meaningful second franchise platform.
The search was extensive.
More than 120 concepts were considered, and the team participated in 10 discovery days.
BACC wanted to find a brand that was not simply growing, but one the family believed had the opportunity to become a dominant name in its category.
Gong Cha eventually emerged as the preferred choice.
The quality of the leadership team mattered, but so did the company’s systems and investments in store technology.
Those factors gave BACC confidence that Gong Cha could support the type of large-scale development the family wanted to pursue.
From Taiwan to a Growing U.S. Franchise Network
Gong Cha’s story began in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2006.
The name translates roughly to “tribute tea for the emperor,” reflecting the company’s origins as a premium tea concept.
Franchising began in 2009, and Gong Cha has since expanded into an international brand with thousands of locations.
In the United States, its footprint is approaching 240 stores across 25 states and Washington, D.C.
Its menu has expanded beyond classic boba tea as well.
Customers can choose from milk teas, tea lattes, milk foam drinks, slush beverages, specialty creations and coffee.
That variety gives the concept broader appeal while maintaining tea and customizable beverages at the center of the brand.
Gong Cha Wants Greater Control of U.S. Expansion
As the company grows, Gong Cha has been changing the way it approaches franchise development in America.
In 2025, the company secured direct rights to the California market.
Earlier this year, it took another major step by acquiring master franchise rights connected to 175 locations across 13 states.
Bringing more development responsibilities directly under the corporate organization can make it easier to coordinate expansion, improve franchise support and pursue relationships with larger operators.
That is where groups such as BACC become particularly valuable.
Instead of developing locations one store at a time through unrelated owners, Gong Cha can work with an experienced organization capable of establishing dozens of stores across several cities.
Gong Cha Americas President Geoff Henry has pointed to BACC’s multi-unit background, management capabilities and financial strength as important qualities behind the partnership.
Making Bubble Tea Faster With Automation
One of the elements that attracted Walker to Gong Cha was the brand’s approach to technology.
Gong Cha has been building a larger U.S. support organization across departments including operations, training, marketing, finance, supply chain and franchise development.
At store level, the company is rolling out a concept known as Gong Cha 2.0.
The new model incorporates self-service ordering kiosks and Super Wu, a proprietary beverage preparation system developed for Gong Cha stores.
The machine prepares the core portion of a beverage before a team member adds toppings or other inclusions and completes the order.
For franchise operators, the value is straightforward: faster production and greater consistency.
Walker has seen drinks that once required approximately two or three minutes to prepare completed in around 40 seconds with the system.
BACC now plans to bring the technology into the four Gong Cha stores it acquired.
The 50 additional locations scheduled for Texas development are also expected to feature the updated Gong Cha 2.0 operating model.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Gong Cha?
For entrepreneurs interested in Gong Cha, the estimated initial investment ranges from approximately $177,430 to $335,400.
That range includes a $41,500 initial franchise fee.
The brand also charges a continuing royalty of 5.5% of gross sales.
Financial requirements vary depending on whether a candidate wants to develop an individual unit or pursue a larger territory.
Potential franchisees may need liquid assets ranging from approximately $150,000 to $2 million.
Net worth expectations can range from about $300,000 to $4 million depending on the development opportunity.
These broad ranges reflect the difference between opening a single location and committing to a substantial multi-unit expansion program.
Franchise Training Starts Before Opening Day
Opening a Gong Cha does not begin with handing over the keys to a store.
Before launch, the franchisee and a designated store manager are expected to complete approximately two weeks of training in New York.
The roughly 14-day program covers areas such as operations, recruiting, marketing, financial management and other responsibilities involved in running the store.
Franchise support continues following opening.
Although prior restaurant experience may help a candidate transition into the business, it is not necessarily required. Training and operational systems are intended to give qualified operators the knowledge needed to follow Gong Cha’s model.
The company has promoted franchise opportunities in markets including Texas, Oklahoma, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.
Qualified candidates may also be able to explore SBA-related financing options when funding their franchise investment.
Local marketing can extend beyond traditional advertising. Gong Cha franchisees are able to organize community fundraising programs that can connect individual stores with schools, charities and local organizations.
New Store Formats Could Create More Growth Opportunities
Gong Cha’s expansion plans may eventually stretch beyond the type of storefront most customers recognize today.
The company continues to develop traditional retail locations but has also shown interest in additional formats, including airports and drive-thru stores.
These formats could give franchisees access to different customer occasions and real estate opportunities.
At the corporate level, another major transition is also underway.
Bain Capital has announced plans to acquire Gong Cha Global from TA Associates.
Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The deal is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter.
The investment could provide Gong Cha with additional resources as it continues expanding internationally, including in the U.S.
Houston Is First on BACC’s Expansion List
BACC expects Houston to play an important role in the first stage of its 50-store development plan.
New locations connected with the agreement are expected to begin opening in Houston this year.
The family’s initial goal is to launch approximately seven to 10 stores over the next two years.
Development would then continue across Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio until the full 50-location commitment is completed.
What makes the agreement especially interesting is the scale.
Opening one franchise can create a successful local business. Developing 50 stores requires an entirely different level of planning, capital, leadership and operational discipline.
BACC already has experience building a multi-unit franchise organization, while Gong Cha is investing in the systems and automation required to support larger operators.
If the Texas strategy succeeds, both sides stand to benefit.
BACC gains a second franchise platform in an expanding beverage category, while Gong Cha gains a well-capitalized local partner focused on making the brand much more visible throughout some of Texas’ largest markets.
Learn more about Gong cha Franchise opportunities.
