Ampersand Expands South University Drive Coffee Shop

The Fort Worth coffee shop is growing into an adjacent storefront to add a full kitchen and a new espresso bar.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Interior view of an airy commercial space under renovation with exposed wooden framing and dusty light, signifying a café expansion. — Fort Worth coffee shop Ampersand is expanding its South University Drive location, absorbing an adjacent unit to add a new full kitchen. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ampersand is expanding its South University Drive location in Fort Worth by absorbing the space formerly occupied by Jimmy John's. The project, announced in October 2026, aims to meet rising demand from the local university community.

Why it matters

The expansion reflects the continued growth of TCU and increased customer demand for the business. By adding a dedicated kitchen, the shop intends to bolster its in-house pastry production capabilities.

This project marks the establishment of the company's fourth shop location overall. The expansion will feature a full-sized kitchen for in-house pastry production and a completely redesigned espresso bar.

The players

Ampersand

This coffee shop operator currently maintains a presence on South University Drive in Fort Worth.

John Tran

He serves as the director of operations overseeing the brand's culinary expansion efforts.

The details

Construction requires the demolition of the interior and the removal of the wall separating the existing Ampersand cafe from the former Jimmy John's unit. The business plans to execute the work during the winter break to reduce inconvenience to students.

Ampersand expanded into The Box space in 2019.
The expansion project was announced in October 2026.
Construction will take place during the winter break of 2026.
The expanded space is scheduled to open in January 2027.

Market Landscape

The expansion follows a pattern established by the 2019 growth of Ampersand into The Box space. This strategy allows the business to scale its local footprint alongside the growth of the nearby university.

Students and area residents can expect the location to remain closed during the university winter break while construction occurs. Once the project finishes in January 2027, customers will have access to expanded pastry offerings and a redesigned service area.

The takeaway

Business owners can leverage seasonal lulls to complete infrastructure upgrades with minimal disruption to customer flow. This proactive approach helps manage construction logistics while preparing to meet projected increases in demand.