FORT WORTH, Texas — February 9, 2026
Executive Summary
HTeaO has announced the appointment of Chris Phillips as Chief Financial Officer as the iced tea franchise continues to scale its national footprint and invest in infrastructure to support franchisee performance. Phillips joins the company with more than 20 years of experience in restaurant finance, strategy, and operations, including senior leadership roles at highly franchised, multi-brand restaurant organizations. In his new role, Phillips will oversee finance, accounting, information technology, and strategic planning as HTeaO expands across the United States. According to the company, the appointment reflects a continued focus on disciplined growth, franchisee profitability, and long-term value creation as the brand builds on momentum following significant unit expansion milestones reached in 2025.
Announcement Overview
HTeaO announced that Chris Phillips has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, adding seasoned restaurant finance leadership to the company’s executive team. In this role, Phillips is responsible for overseeing HTeaO’s finance, accounting, information technology, and strategic planning functions, supporting the company’s continued expansion across the U.S. franchise market.
According to HTeaO, Phillips’ appointment comes at a period of rapid growth for the brand as it scales its store base, invests in technology and supply chain capabilities, and deepens support for franchise operators. The company stated that the CFO role is central to aligning financial discipline with expansion strategy, ensuring that franchisees are supported with scalable systems, actionable insights, and a strong financial foundation.
HTeaO indicated that Phillips’ background in highly franchised restaurant systems and his experience navigating large-scale growth initiatives were key factors in the appointment. The company emphasized that the role is designed to partner closely with franchisees and internal leadership to drive sustainable, long-term growth as HTeaO continues to expand nationally.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement type: Executive appointment
- Appointment: Chris Phillips named Chief Financial Officer
- Company: HTeaO
- Industry: Franchised beverage and restaurant services
- Category: Executive leadership and corporate governance update
- Announcement date: February 9, 2026
- Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Geographic scope: United States (national franchise system)
- Executive appointed: Chris Phillips
- Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Reporting level: Executive leadership team
- Functional oversight:
- Corporate finance
- Accounting and financial reporting
- Financial planning and analysis
- Information technology systems
- Strategic planning and long-term growth support
- Strategic purpose of appointment:
- Strengthen financial leadership during national expansion
- Support franchisee profitability and financial performance
- Scale financial, technology, and reporting infrastructure
- Align capital allocation with long-term growth strategy
- Executive background highlights:
- More than 20 years of restaurant finance and strategy experience
- Former executive leadership at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
- Supported $1.8 billion sale of Popeyes to Restaurant Brands International
- Former senior finance and strategy roles at Darden Restaurants
- Business model context:
- Highly franchised iced tea brand
- Vertically integrated supply chain
- Drive-thru-focused retail format
- Franchise-first operating model
- Growth context:
- Rapid national expansion across U.S. markets
- Milestone of 150 locations reached in July 2025
- Continued investment in leadership, systems, and franchise support
Strategic Context
According to HTeaO, the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer with deep franchised-restaurant experience reflects the brand’s transition into a more mature growth phase. As the company expands its store footprint and supports an increasing number of franchise operators, financial leadership plays a critical role in ensuring operational consistency, cost control, and scalable systems.
HTeaO stated that franchised restaurant brands operating at scale face increasing complexity across supply chain management, technology investment, and financial reporting. The company emphasized that a centralized financial strategy is necessary to maintain alignment between corporate objectives and franchisee performance, particularly as unit counts grow and geographic coverage expands.
The company also highlighted the importance of financial and technology infrastructure in supporting franchise partners. According to HTeaO, investments in systems that improve visibility into unit-level economics, supply chain efficiency, and performance analytics are critical to sustaining growth while preserving unit-level profitability.
Scope of the Chief Financial Officer Role
As Chief Financial Officer, Phillips will oversee HTeaO’s finance and accounting operations, including financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and internal controls. According to the company, his responsibilities also include oversight of information technology and strategic planning, aligning financial resources with long-term business objectives.
HTeaO stated that the CFO role is designed to work cross-functionally with operations, development, marketing, and franchise support teams. This structure is intended to ensure that financial insights inform decision-making across the organization and that growth initiatives are supported by appropriate capital allocation and systems planning.
The company noted that Phillips will play a central role in strengthening financial processes as the brand scales, including evaluating technology platforms, supporting supply chain efficiency, and enhancing data-driven decision-making across the franchise system.
Professional Background of Chris Phillips
Chris Phillips brings more than two decades of experience in restaurant finance, strategy, and operations to HTeaO. According to the company, his career includes senior leadership roles at highly franchised and multi-brand restaurant organizations, where he supported large-scale growth, acquisitions, and operational transformation.
Phillips previously held executive leadership positions at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, where he was part of the leadership team involved in the brand’s $1.8 billion sale to Restaurant Brands International. According to HTeaO, his experience during that transaction included supporting financial strategy, operational alignment, and stakeholder coordination in the context of a major acquisition.
In addition, Phillips held senior finance and strategy roles at Darden Restaurants, where he worked on initiatives tied to large-scale growth and acquisition activity. HTeaO stated that this experience provided him with exposure to complex, multi-brand restaurant operations and the financial structures required to support national and regional expansion.
The company emphasized that Phillips is known for building scalable finance, analytics, supply chain, and technology systems, as well as developing high-performing teams capable of supporting growth across distributed restaurant networks.
Leadership Perspective From Chris Phillips
“I’m excited to join HTeaO at such a pivotal time,” said Chris Phillips. “The brand has built incredible momentum, a deeply engaged franchise system, and a loyal and growing customer base. What stood out to me immediately was the opportunity ahead to help strengthen the financial foundation of the business while partnering closely with franchisees and leadership to support smart, sustainable growth. This is a brand with a long runway, and I’m energized by what we can build together.”
According to HTeaO, Phillips’ statement reflects the company’s emphasis on partnership with franchise operators and a disciplined approach to scaling. The company stated that his focus on financial foundations and collaboration aligns with HTeaO’s broader growth strategy.
Leadership Perspective From HTeaO
“Chris brings the rare combination of strategic vision and hands-on operational experience,” said Justin Howe, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of HTeaO. “He understands what it takes to grow a franchise brand the right way, with discipline, transparency, and a strong partnership mindset. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue investing in our franchisees, our people, and the future of HTeaO.”
According to the company, the CEO’s statement underscores the importance of leadership alignment as HTeaO continues to invest in infrastructure and people to support long-term growth.
Franchise-First Financial Strategy
HTeaO stated that its growth strategy prioritizes franchisee success through financial transparency, operational support, and scalable systems. The company emphasized that the CFO role is central to delivering on this strategy by ensuring that financial processes and tools support franchise profitability and consistency.
According to HTeaO, franchise brands must balance rapid unit growth with disciplined cost management and operational efficiency. The company indicated that Phillips’ experience in franchised restaurant systems positions him to help manage this balance as HTeaO continues to expand.
HTeaO also highlighted the role of technology and analytics in supporting franchisees, noting that investments in data visibility and system integration are essential to maintaining unit-level performance as the network grows.
National Expansion and Infrastructure Investment
HTeaO stated that it is continuing to expand its national footprint, building on momentum achieved in recent years. According to the company, reaching 150 locations in July 2025 marked a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.
The company emphasized that national expansion requires ongoing investment in supply chain capabilities, technology platforms, and corporate support functions. HTeaO stated that strengthening financial leadership supports these investments by ensuring disciplined capital allocation and long-term planning.
According to the company, the CFO role will support evaluation of expansion pacing, resource deployment, and infrastructure readiness as HTeaO continues to grow across multiple markets.
Supply Chain and Cost Structure Considerations
HTeaO operates its own supply chain, which the company stated allows it to manage cost of goods and maintain product quality across its franchise system. According to HTeaO, this vertically integrated approach is a key component of its business model.
The company indicated that financial oversight of supply chain operations is critical to sustaining this advantage, particularly as volume increases. HTeaO stated that Phillips’ experience overseeing supply chain and financial systems will support ongoing optimization as the brand scales.
Technology and Data Systems Oversight
According to HTeaO, information technology and data systems play an increasingly important role in franchise operations, financial reporting, and decision-making. The company stated that the CFO role includes oversight of technology investments to ensure alignment with operational and financial objectives.
HTeaO emphasized that scalable systems are necessary to support franchisees with real-time insights, performance tracking, and operational consistency. According to the company, Phillips’ background in building scalable systems aligns with these priorities.
Long-Term Growth Planning
HTeaO stated that strategic planning is a core component of the CFO role, particularly as the brand evaluates long-term growth opportunities and market expansion. According to the company, financial planning and analysis inform decisions related to development pacing, market selection, and support infrastructure.
The company indicated that Phillips will work closely with executive leadership to align financial strategy with HTeaO’s long-term vision and growth objectives.
About HTeaO
HTeaO is a U.S.-based iced tea franchise founded to serve ultra-premium brewed tea, water, and coffee beverages through a highly efficient, drive-thru-focused model. The company operates in a growing niche within the broader beverage industry, with a business model designed to support franchise scalability and cost efficiency.
HTeaO was founded in Texas and is headquartered in Fort Worth. Since its founding, the brand has focused on building a vertically integrated supply chain, which allows it to manage product quality and reduce cost of goods across its franchise system. According to the company, this approach supports franchisee profitability and operational consistency.
HTeaO offers more than 20 flavors of sweetened and unsweetened iced tea, brewed using a proprietary water filtration system and 100 percent natural ingredients. The menu also includes water and coffee offerings, with service provided primarily through drive-thru locations designed for speed and convenience.
As of July 2025, HTeaO reached a milestone of 150 locations across the United States. The company continues to expand its footprint through franchising, targeting markets that support its drive-thru beverage concept. In January 2023, HTeaO announced a minority partnership with Dallas-based private equity firms Crux Capital and Trive Capital, supporting the brand’s expansion strategy and infrastructure development.
HTeaO emphasizes community engagement and local involvement as part of its brand identity, encouraging franchisees to support initiatives within their local markets. The company continues to invest in leadership, systems, and franchise support as it scales nationally.
Media Contact
Allie Lesiuk
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Kristin Garcia
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Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement