Franchising

Bambu debuts 1st Walmart location in Batavia

Photo: Bambu

February 9, 2026

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Shoppers at the Batavia, Illinois, Walmart may pair their grocery runs with handcrafted boba and Vietnamese coffee.

Bambu, a premium beverage brand known for its Asian-inspired desserts and drinks, opened its newest location Jan. 14 inside the Walmart at 801 N. Randall Road. The shop marks the first time the franchise has opened a location within a Walmart store.

The Batavia site uses a "store-within-a-store" model, designed to offer the brand's full menu in a compact, high-traffic retail environment.

"This opening reflects our focus on bringing Bambu directly to guests in their daily routines," Marc Geman, CEO of Bambu, said in a company press release. "Leasing space inside Walmart allows us to introduce our brand's offerings to customers in Batavia."

The menu features a variety of fruit smoothies, boba teas and traditional Vietnamese coffee brewed using the classic phin drip method. The shop also serves freshly made mochi-style waffles.

Willy Mathew, the local franchisee, said the location aims to blend cultural authenticity with convenience.

"The new location allows guests to enjoy these drinks in a convenient setting, making it easy to discover new flavors and share memorable moments with family and friends," Mathew said in the release.

Founded in 2008 by four sisters in San Jose, California, Bambu has expanded from a single California shop to a nationwide network. The brand is known for its "Chè" (Vietnamese dessert drinks) and an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

The Batavia location is open daily during standard Walmart store hours.

Franchising