The Dallas-based Pecan Deluxe Candy Company, a value-added ingredient manufacturer, has expanded its Dallas facility, doubling production capacity for “popping boba”—small, juice-filled spheres that are used in bubble teas and burst when you bite into them.

Popping boba pops up in a wide range of other drinks too, the company says—from coffee to milkshakes to “upgraded” classic sodas. The Dallas expansion aims to reinforce Pecan Deluxe’s leadership as the largest domestic producer in the popping boba category. It also supports growing demand from national and regional foodservice brands seeking reliable, high-quality inclusions made in the U.S., the company said.

[Screenshot: Pecan Deluxe Candy Co. Video]

The company’s popping boba comes in different sizes—from 6mm to 10mm—offering versatility for a wide range of beverages and desserts. Each pearl features a delicate outer shell with a vibrant liquid center, “delivering a burst of flavor and enhancing visual appeal,” the company said, with options including both natural and artificial colors and flavors to align with different brand standards and menu strategies.

Over the past year, Pecan Deluxe says it has increased its output capacity to produce up to 100 million pounds per year, depending on product size and flavor, while simultaneously reducing its operational footprint. To achieve this, the company deployed advanced manufacturing technology and optimized processes.

[Screenshot: Pecan Deluxe Candy Co. Video]

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the working environment for our employees and offer our customers a worry-free experience by using the latest advancements in modern technology to produce a quality product,” Gary Collins, EVP of operations at the company, said in a statement.

Founded in Dallas in 1950

A family-owned company, Pecan Deluxe was founded in Dallas in 1950 by J.C. Brigham, a retail ice cream maker who also made the candies and “ice cream inclusions”—like pecan nut meats—that went into his ice cream. Eventually he branched out and began selling his innovative ingredients to other food companies, the brand says on its website.  

[Screenshot: Pecan Deluxe Candy Co. Video]

Since then, the Pecan Deluxe Candy Co. has grown into “a global organization supplying thousands of products from its facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia,” the website notes. The company operates international offices in the U.K. and Thailand.

Pecan Deluxe said that thanks to its U.S.-based supply chain, “brands benefit from shorter lead times and greater reliability.” Its offerings are said to feature dependable performance, ambient storage, and extended shelf-life simplifying operations while helping foodservice brands drive menu innovation and capture high-margin beverage opportunities.

[Screenshot: Pecan Deluxe Candy Co. Video]

The company will be showcasing its popping boba at the National Restaurant Association Show May 16–19  in Chicago.

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