GoKawiilHTeaO Iced Tea Chain Hits $147M in Sales, Hires Freddy's Veteran as CEO
HTeaO, a family-owned iced tea chain based in Amarillo, Texas, reported over $147 million in sales in 2025, a 26.7% jump from the prior year, and now operates 178 locations across eight states. The company has named Brian Wise, formerly of Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, as its new CEO to guide further expansion, with backing from Crux Capital and Trive Capital.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
While most beverage chains chase espresso and energy drink trends, HTeaO's growth shows there's substantial demand for a simpler, differentiated product built around water purification and mineral customization rather than caffeine gimmicks. Bringing in a seasoned fast-casual executive and outside capital signals the brand is preparing to scale nationally, potentially expanding into coffee and snacks while keeping tea as its core identity.
- HTeaO grew sales 26.7% in 2025 to reach $147 million across 178 locations in eight states.
- New CEO Brian Wise, previously of Freddy's, joins with fresh investment from Crux Capital and Trive Capital.
- The chain's key differentiator is a reverse osmosis water system with added minerals, which it also sells separately by the gallon.
Waterdrop A1 Countertop Reverse Osmosis System — HTeaO built a $147 million business on purified, remineralized water ": This countertop RO unit lets you chase that same clean base at home with no plumbing or installation. Fill the tank, and you get filtered water for brewing iced tea that actually tastes like the tea instead of your tap.
See Waterdrop A1 Countertop Reverse Osmosis System on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: entrepreneur.com — Jon Small, 2026-09-04
Published there as: “This Family-Owned Iced Tea Chain Generated $147 Million in Sales By Obsessing Over Its Water”
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