Houston, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Merit Coffee Company, a Texas-based specialty coffee roaster, has announced plans to open its first two locations in Houston by 2026. The cafés will be located at 5115 Buffalo Speedway and 621 Waverly in the Heights neighborhood. Both locations will feature ethically sourced coffee beans roasted in Texas and a menu of specialty beverages. Company leadership is eager to respond to customer demand for local storefronts in the Houston area.
Houston — Merit Coffee Company announced plans to open its first two locations in Houston in 2026. The new cafés are under construction at: 5115 Buffalo Speedway, Greenway/Upper Kirby neighborhood; 621 Waverly, Heights neighborhood. The Buffalo Speedway location is set to open by the end of the first quarter of 2026, followed by the Heights location in early summer.
What happened
The company announced plans to open its first two locations in Houston in 2026. The new cafés are under construction at: 5115 Buffalo Speedway, Greenway/Upper Kirby neighborhood; 621 Waverly, Heights neighborhood. The Buffalo Speedway location is set to open by the end of the first quarter of 2026, followed by the Heights location in early summer.
Key details
Merit Coffee Company is a Texas-based specialty coffee roaster founded in 2009 in San Antonio. Merit Coffee currently operates 13 locations across Texas: five in San Antonio, three in Austin, and five in Dallas. The company is known for its specialty coffee flavors, including Anasora Guji, Koke Honey, Sugarcane Decaf, and Roaster’s Blend.
Merit Coffee also sells its coffee online and through grocery retail partners, including H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, and Central Market, which already serve Houston customers. The cafés will feature ethically sourced coffee beans roasted in Texas and a menu of espresso beverages and specialty items.
Company leadership has indicated that customers in Houston have been asking for a local storefront. CEO Bill Ellis expressed excitement about bringing the Merit café experience to Houston, responding to customer requests for a local storefront. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Charlie Paulette highlighted the desire to expand into Houston for several years due to its fan base.
Design and community focus
Unique experiences and community spaces are a focal point of Merit Coffee, with each location designed to reflect its neighborhood. The company aims to create welcoming environments for genuine connections among customers.
Awards and recognition
Merit Coffee has gained acclaim, being named the Best Coffee Shop in the 2025 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards. That recognition is part of the company’s recent regional profile as it moves to expand into new Texas markets.
Operations and retail partnerships
Merit Coffee currently operates 13 locations across Texas: five in San Antonio, three in Austin, and five in Dallas. In addition to café sales, Merit Coffee also sells its coffee online and through grocery retail partners, including H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, and Central Market, which already serve Houston customers.
Looking ahead
The Buffalo Speedway location is set to open by the end of the first quarter of 2026, followed by the Heights location in early summer. Both sites are under construction and are planned to open with neighborhood-focused design, ethically sourced beans roasted in Texas, and a standard offering of espresso beverages and specialty items.
Quick facts table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Merit Coffee Company |
| Founded | 2009 in San Antonio |
| New Houston locations | 5115 Buffalo Speedway, Greenway/Upper Kirby neighborhood; 621 Waverly, Heights neighborhood |
| Planned opening schedule | Buffalo Speedway by the end of the first quarter of 2026; Heights in early summer 2026 |
| Current footprint | 13 locations across Texas: five in San Antonio, three in Austin, and five in Dallas |
| Retail partners | H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, Central Market |
| Notable flavors | Anasora Guji, Koke Honey, Sugarcane Decaf, Roaster’s Blend |
| Awards | Best Coffee Shop in the 2025 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Merit Coffee Company founded in San Antonio | Established |
| 2025 | Named the Best Coffee Shop in the 2025 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards | Awarded |
| 2026 Q1 (by end) | Buffalo Speedway location planned opening | Set to open |
| 2026 early summer | Heights location planned opening | Set to open |
| Current | Merit Coffee currently operates 13 locations across Texas: five in San Antonio, three in Austin, and five in Dallas | Operating |
Location distribution chart
Current distribution of Merit Coffee locations across Texas (total 13):
Percentages rounded: San Antonio ~38%, Austin ~23%, Dallas ~38% (out of 13 total locations).
Operational highlights chart
Selected points of interest:
- Founded: 2009
- Current locations: 13 across Texas
- Planned Houston openings: 2 in 2026
- Retail partners serving Houston customers: H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, Central Market
FAQ
Where are the new cafés under construction?
The new cafés are under construction at: 5115 Buffalo Speedway, Greenway/Upper Kirby neighborhood; 621 Waverly, Heights neighborhood.
When will the new locations open?
The Buffalo Speedway location is set to open by the end of the first quarter of 2026, followed by the Heights location in early summer.
How many locations does Merit Coffee currently operate?
Merit Coffee currently operates 13 locations across Texas: five in San Antonio, three in Austin, and five in Dallas.
What is Merit Coffee known for?
The company is known for its specialty coffee flavors, including Anasora Guji, Koke Honey, Sugarcane Decaf, and Roaster’s Blend.
Where else can customers buy Merit Coffee?
Merit Coffee also sells its coffee online and through grocery retail partners, including H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, and Central Market, which already serve Houston customers.
Who is leading the company’s expansion into Houston?
CEO Bill Ellis expressed excitement about bringing the Merit café experience to Houston, responding to customer requests for a local storefront. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Charlie Paulette highlighted the desire to expand into Houston for several years due to its fan base.
What will the cafés feature?
The cafés will feature ethically sourced coffee beans roasted in Texas and a menu of espresso beverages and specialty items.
Has Merit Coffee received any recent recognition?
Merit Coffee has gained acclaim, being named the Best Coffee Shop in the 2025 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards.
What is the company’s community approach?
Unique experiences and community spaces are a focal point of Merit Coffee, with each location designed to reflect its neighborhood. The company aims to create welcoming environments for genuine connections among customers.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CultureMap San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Merit Coffee
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Search: Merit Coffee
- Verdict Food Service
- Google Scholar: Merit Coffee
- PR Newswire
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Merit Coffee
- AOL News
- Google News: Merit Coffee
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
