San Antonio Brands That Expanded Into Austin
Several iconic San Antonio-based businesses have successfully expanded into Austin over the decades, strengthening the economic ties along the I-35 corridor as the Central Texas mega-metro continues to grow.
Major San Antonio Brands With Austin Presence
H-E-B
The grocery chain entered Austin in 1938 after acquiring and converting four Piggly Wiggly stores. Today, H-E-B continues to expand and renovate Austin locations, including a $50 million remodel of its South Congress store in 2024, now the largest H-E-B in the city.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs expanded into Austin in 2007 by purchasing the Austin Toros G League team, which they later rebranded as the Austin Spurs. The franchise now maintains a secondary headquarters in Austin and hosts annual I-35 series games at the Moody Center.
Frost Bank
Frost entered the Austin market in the 1980s and expanded significantly after acquiring First City Bank in 1993. Its downtown Austin Frost Tower opened in 2004. The bank recently announced plans to double the number of its Austin-area financial centers by 2026.
Luby’s
Founded in San Antonio in 1947, Luby’s opened its first Austin location in 1963. The cafeteria chain currently operates three locations in Austin, including a newer downtown café.
Church’s Chicken
The fried chicken chain expanded into Austin in the late 1960s and now operates five locations in the city.
Taco Cabana
The San Antonio-based Mexican food chain operates more than a dozen locations in the Austin area and has announced plans for broader expansion beyond Texas.
Fuddruckers
The burger chain announced Austin expansion plans in 2014 and currently lists one location in Austin.
Jim’s Restaurants
The diner chain, founded in San Antonio, expanded into Austin in the 1980s and now operates three locations there.
These expansions reflect the continued economic integration between San Antonio and Austin, as population growth, business development, and infrastructure strengthen connections between the two cities.