Dripping Springs couple Michael and Christie Sanders launch HTeaO franchise in hometown

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Twenty-five flavors of iced tea. Dozens of workers. Four family members, two owners and more than two years of planning.

By the numbers, that might sound overwhelming, and for spouses Michael and Christie Sanders, it was. However, the result made everything worth it for the pair of new business owners, because on May 26, one vision turned into one reality.

It was theirs, and it took the form of HTeaO's newest franchise in the Ledge Stone Shopping Center.

No more than a short drive from the Sanderses' home, the store held its long-awaited grand opening that day, bringing the company's signature flavored teas to Dripping Springs residents.

But before Christie Sanders took the helm of the store's day-to-day operations almost all day long — before Michael ran the location's first sales report — franchising a tea shop was just an eccentric idea tossed around in a Lubbock parking lot.

The couple were visiting their two children, both students at Texas Tech University, and while they cherished the extra family time they got, they also found themselves visiting the local HTeaO more frequently than most.

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"We were going three times a day," Christie said. "That (got me thinking), 'We're obsessed with this,' and then we started wondering if it was a franchise."

Luckily for the pair, HTeaO had just begun franchising its stores not long before their idea sparked, and that gave them a chance to explore the prospect of bringing their newfound obsession back home to Central Texas.

"We went and met with the owners in Fort Worth," Christie said. "Once we met all of them, saw their vibe and what they were about, (Michael and I) looked at each other and said, 'Yeah, we're doing this.’ “

That didn't come without any initial worries for the couple, however.

Both were in their 50s, and neither had any prior knowledge of franchising or running a business, but that ultimately didn't sway them from the idea.

Once they discovered that there wasn't an HTeaO in their hometown, everything seemed to click, and franchising quickly became a "no-brainer" for the pair, who were excited to step into a new endeavor. After all, they loved the product.

"We thought, 'Why not?’ “ Christie said. "If it's something you love and you do what you love, it should be successful. So that's (when) we came up with a plan to go ahead and open one."

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With their goal officially set, Michael and Christie then began the company's franchising process, hoping to open their store as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't come without challenges, with the 2020 global pandemic severely altering the couple's initial timeline for going into business.

"Originally, we went into it (thinking), 'OK, we'll be open in a year or 18 months, max,’ “ Michael said. "But then with COVID-19 hitting, (we had) supply chain issues, and it just kept dragging, dragging and dragging."

The Sanderses — with help from their real estate agent — earned the rights to the Ledge Stone lot within six months of beginning their efforts.

The location at 12680 U.S. 290, Suite 500, not only put their store on the map, but also sits alongside a strip of other top-grossing corporations such as Chick-fil-A and P. Terry's, which they said will help drive in business.

"It was great," Michael said. "We had to carry (the lot) for quite a while, but I think it's worth it in the long run because if we want to be a big franchise, we're in line with ... other ones that are both statewide and national. HTeaO corporate liked it as well because we were able to secure a fine (piece of) real estate."

Buying the lot and kick-starting the supply process were just the first step, however. The next step for Michael and Christie centered on fitting the company's vision while also bringing their own ideas and personal touch to the store.

"We wanted to bring kind of a party atmosphere," Christie said. "Everybody should greet you in their own way and make you feel welcome. (They should) make you want to stay, walk around and try everything. It's great when people want to come to the drive-thru, but we really want them to come in."

When customers walk through the door of the Sanderses' new store, that's what they get. Loud country music blares over the speakers, and they hear the deals of the day as soon as they enter. Tea dispensers line the walls, offering anything from basic, unsweet versions of the popular drink to an exotic blend of tea and fruit such as the Sweet Turbo Citrus, which is caffeinated to serve as an energy drink replacement.

But whether customers get a cup or gallon of the Ryan Palmer, HTeaO's signature lemonade-tea blend, or Sweet Georgia Peach or even Pink Lemonade, they're made to feel at home with their favorite drink, seven days a week.

To add to it, the Sanderses made sure to implement a family aspect to their franchise — something HTeaO emphasizes across all of its franchises.

"That's why we chose this franchise," Christie said. "They specifically check everybody that buys one to make sure that if you're going to open one in (any given) community, (either) you need to be the one that runs it, or you need to hire a manager from that community."

In addition, the company allots 2% of each franchise's profit to go back into the community through charity or supporting local businesses, and that only furthered the Sanderses' desire to get involved.

The idea of bringing a community together isn't new to HTeaO. When it was founded in 2009 as "Texas Tea," the idea was to sell customers the best tea while giving them the best experience.

"We got a very expensive corner, put down a very expensive building and did it right from the beginning," HTeaO co-founder Justin Howe said. "We bought the best equipment ... and we just tried it.

"It was successful from minute one," he added. "And if I could show you today versus minute one, it would blow your mind."

While the process took a lot of effort from the couple, they also enlisted the help of their two children, making it a true family affair.

Blaine — the Sanderses' son — makes weekend trips to the store, greeting customers as they walk in, and their daughter, Blayre, is set to work the store all summer before continuing nursing school.

"I'm super happy for (my parents)," Blaine said. "My mom, especially, she's able to handle all the pressure of being able to make (the store) a reality. She makes everybody feel at home and happy to be here."

The family atmosphere helps customers feel more welcome each time they try a new flavor from the wall, but it also strengthens the Sanderses' tight-knit bond.

That bonding experience is something Michael and Christie hope to continue for years to come, even supporting the idea of passing along the store — and another potential location — to Blaine and Blayre.

"This is going to be a family business," Christie said. "We have the opportunity to open a second one in Buda. We bought the rights to it, so we might eventually have two of them, and our two children might end up with two of them. We'll see, but it's exciting that everybody can be involved."

Now they're new business owners looking to make an impact on the people they grew up around, together as a family. And if the portrait on the back wall is any indication, the Sanderses' vision has become a reality, right in their own backyard.

"I feel happy. I guess it's the people that are walking around — they're happy," Michael said, looking at his franchise's opening-day crowd. "They're impressed with the store. And the ones that haven't been here, so far, I haven't seen anybody that wasn't thrilled with the approach and the concept that has been presented."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Dripping Springs couple launch HTeaO franchise in hometown