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Hao Hao secures Texas liquor license for Arbor Trails return

Hao Hao secures Texas liquor license for Arbor Trails return

Built World Austin, TX local

The South Austin favorite, closed since 2024, clears a hurdle in its comeback build-out.

October 12th, 2026: Liquor license issued for Arbor Trails site

Overview

Updated Oct 17

Hao Hao, the Chinese-Vietnamese restaurant that closed its South Austin location in 2024 after about 35 years, is moving closer to a comeback at the Shops at Arbor Trails. Texas regulators issued a mixed-beverage liquor license to Fresh Tofu LLC at 4301 W William Cannon Dr on October 12, the address where owner Binh Tran is building a new restaurant.

The license is one approval among several; it does not show the restaurant is open. The $480,000 build-out, filed with state regulators in March, was scheduled to finish in August, but as of mid-October the state's accessibility-inspection log shows no final inspection recorded. If the build-out clears, South Austin diners get their longtime pho spot back without the Round Rock drive.

Why it matters

If this license leads to an opening, South Austin diners get their longtime pho spot back without the Round Rock drive.

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Key Indicators

$480,000
Estimated build-out cost
TDLR permit filed in March 2026 for interior work at the Arbor Trails suite.
35
Years the original South Austin location operated
The 1901 W William Cannon Dr restaurant closed in late 2024.
2
Hao Hao locations still open
Round Rock and Georgetown outposts continue serving customers.

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People Involved

Binh Tran
Binh Tran
Owner, Hao Hao Chinese & Vietnamese Restaurant
Filed the build-out permit and holds the new liquor license for the Arbor Trails site

Organizations Involved

FT
Fresh Tofu LLC
Limited liability company
License holder at 4301 W William Cannon Dr

Corporate entity that received the October 2026 Texas liquor license for the Arbor Trails address.
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
State regulator
Issued the mixed-beverage license

The Texas agency that licenses the sale of alcohol and enforces the state's liquor laws.

Timeline

December 2024 October 2026

3 events Latest: October 12th, 2026 · 1 month ago

  1. Liquor license issued for Arbor Trails site

    Latest License

    Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission issues a mixed-beverage license to Fresh Tofu LLC at 4301 W William Cannon Dr.

  2. Owner files $480,000 build-out permit

    Permit Filing

    Binh Tran registers a TDLR project for interior work at 4301 W William Cannon Dr Suite B108, proposing construction from May 1 to August 1.

  3. Hao Hao South Austin closes after 35 years

    Closure

    The original 1901 W William Cannon Dr location shut down, leaving Round Rock and Georgetown outposts.

Scenarios

1

Hao Hao opens its doors at Arbor Trails

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: What Now Austin and Hoodline, which have tracked the build-out

Construction ran May through August 2026, and the October license is the last big regulatory gate. If inspections and the city health permit clear, the restaurant starts serving at 4301 W William Cannon Dr, reusing its menu of pho, noodles, and American-Chinese dishes.

2

Opening slips into late 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Permit watchers noting tight timelines

Build-out and inspection delays push service past mid-2027 even though the license stands. Common causes are city health inspection queues, contractor schedule slips, or fixes from the initial inspection.

3

Project stalls, license unused

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: The risk any single-permit story carries

Cost overruns, a failed inspection, or a change of plans leaves the suite empty and the license dormant. The space could go to another tenant.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

20th century–present

Texas mixed-beverage licensing (20th century–present)

Texas has long required any business selling alcohol to hold a license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. A mixed-beverage permit allows a restaurant or bar to serve beer, wine, and spirits for on-premises drinking, the type Hao Hao's new location just obtained.

Then

A restaurant cannot legally serve liquor until the TABC approves its license, making approval one of the final steps before opening.

Now

The mixed-beverage permit is the standard license for full-service restaurants across the state.

Why this matters now

This license is that gating step for Hao Hao's Arbor Trails build-out, a concrete signal the project is near completion.

Late 20th century–present

Anchored shopping-center restaurants (late 20th century–present)

Big-box centers anchored by grocers such as Whole Foods and Costco have become standard sites for restaurants, which lease built-out spaces instead of constructing stand-alone buildings.

Then

Restaurants trade a freestanding building for foot traffic from daily grocery runs and parking shared with the anchor stores.

Now

The anchored-center model became one of the most common ways chains and local brands expand in suburban markets.

Why this matters now

Hao Hao is following that pattern, moving from its old standalone building on William Cannon to a leased slot in the Costco- and Whole Foods-anchored Arbor Trails center.

Sources

(6)
Texas.gov open data Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation What Now Austin Hoodline Zabalist LicenseCheck