Zipps Liquor, Inc.
Zipps Liquor, Inc. is a privately held Texas liquor retail chain founded in 1994 operating 35+ stores and an e-commerce platform, selling 20,000+ products to consumers and B2B wholesale customers at prices 10-30% below competitors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Zipps Liquor, Inc. does
Zipps Liquor, Inc. is a privately held Texas liquor retail chain founded in 1994, operating 35+ physical stores across the state alongside an integrated e-commerce platform (shop.zippsliquor.com) and native iOS and Android mobile applications. The company sells more than 20,000 SKUs spanning spirits, wine, beer, mixers, and a curated Allocated Bourbon Collection featuring rare and limited-edition bottles distributed through a monthly lottery system. Store locations are concentrated in rural and secondary Texas markets (e.g., Conroe, Woodlands/Spring, Winona, Coldspring, Onalaska, Gun Barrel City) often underserved by national chains, providing Zipps a defensible local footprint. The technology stack is built on a third-party (CityHive) e-commerce platform augmented by location-based services, a store locator, a Party Drink Calculator, and content marketing assets such as cocktail recipes and party-planning guides.
The business operates a dual-channel revenue model. The retail segment sells directly to individual consumers through physical stores and online, with prices positioned 10-30% below competing liquor stores and a 4.8/5 customer service rating cited as a differentiator. The wholesale segment serves bars, restaurants, event venues, hotels, and corporate purchasers with dedicated sales representatives, volume pricing averaging ~10% monthly savings, and a no-substitution policy to support on-premise operations. Supporting services include event and wedding liquor concierge offerings and charitable tie-ins — notably a partnership with Hope for the Warriors (since 2021, contributing over $85,000) and Folds of Honor, both funded through allocated bourbon sales.
Zipps was recognized as Texas Retailer of the Year in 2023 by American Beverage Licenses (ABL). The company is incorporated in Texas, privately held with no disclosed external funding, and appears founder- or family-controlled. The store count grew from a single location in 1994 to 35+ today, and the company continues to invest in digital channels, wholesale infrastructure, and differentiated product lines, though specific revenue, headcount, and ownership details are not publicly disclosed.
Zipps Liquor, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zipps Liquor, Inc.
- Legal name
- Zipps Liquor, Inc.
- Website
- https://zippsliquor.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Zipps Liquor, Inc. is a privately held Texas liquor retail chain founded in 1994 operating 35+ stores and an e-commerce platform, selling 20,000+ products to consumers and B2B wholesale customers at prices 10-30% below competitors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zipps Liquor, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Liquor Retail
- NAICS
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Liquor Stores (General Off-Premise) (CRANAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mixed Alcohol Specialty Retail (Beer/Wine/Spirits Combined) (CRANABAH)
Keywords
Where Zipps Liquor, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Zipps Liquor, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Retail Alcohol Sales: Sale of spirits, wine, beer, and mixers through 35+ retail locations and online store. Products sold at 10-30% below competitor pricing.
- Wholesale Distribution: B2B wholesale liquor sales to bars, restaurants, event venues, hotels, and corporate purchasers. Customers save average 10% on monthly alcohol purchases through volume purchasing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail Spirits, Wine, and Beer |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale Volume Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Zipps Liquor, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zipps Liquor is a Texas-based liquor retail chain that sells spirits, wine, beer, and mixers through more than 35 physical store locations and an online store with in-store pickup or home delivery, complemented by a wholesale liquor division serving bars, restaurants, hotels, event venues, and corporate purchasers with volume pricing. The chain also runs an allocated rare-bourbon program and party/wedding event ordering services.
Product overview
Zipps Liquor, Inc. operates as a retail liquor store chain and e-commerce platform serving Texas communities since 1994. The core offering consists of physical retail liquor stores across 35+ Texas locations combined with an online store (shop.zippsliquor.com) powered by the CityHive platform and a mobile application for iOS and Android. The product portfolio includes Spirits (Whiskey, Scotch, Bourbon, Rum, Gin, Brandy, Tequila, Vodka, Sake, Canadian, Cordials, Ready-to-Drink Cocktails), Beer (IPA, Hard Seltzer, Ale, Lager, Pilsner, Stout), Wine (Red, White, Rose, Sparkling, Champagne, Prosecco, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Riesling), Mixers, and an Allocated Bourbon Collection featuring rare bottles. Supporting services include Wholesale Liquor Distribution for B2B customers, Party and Wedding Liquor Services, and a Store Locator tool. The company offers over 20,000 products with prices 10-30% lower than competitors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zipps Liquor Retail Stores Network of 35+ brick-and-mortar liquor retail stores across Texas selling spirits, wine, beer, and mixers at unit prices positioned 10–30% below competing liquor stores, with knowledgeable in-store staff assisting customers. Locations span Conroe, Woodlands, Winona, Houston, Arp, Bellville, Center, Coldspring, Dayton, Gladewater, Gun Barrel City, Hempstead, Highlands, Jacksonville, Liberty City, Livingston, Marshall, Mineral Wells, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navasota, Oakwood, Onalaska, Overton, Palestine, Port Lavaca, Quitman, Rosenberg, Trinity, Victoria, Wharton, Willis, and Winfield.
- Zipps Liquor Online Store E-commerce storefront enabling customers in Texas to browse, search, and purchase from more than 20,000 beer, wine, spirits, and mixer products online, with options for in-store pickup at any of 35+ Zipps locations or home delivery.
- Zipps Liquor Mobile App Native iOS and Android mobile applications that let customers browse, search, and purchase from the Zipps Liquor catalog, with order management and fulfillment via doorstep delivery or in-store pickup.
- Wholesale Liquor Distribution Dedicated B2B wholesale program for licensed Texas bars, restaurants, hotels, event venues, and corporate purchasers offering volume pricing that delivers an average 10% savings on monthly alcohol purchases, dedicated representative service, no-substitution fulfillment guarantees, and pickup or delivery options including special orders typically fulfilled within about one week.
- Allocated Bourbon Collection Limited-edition rare and allocated bourbon collection distributed through a monthly lottery system, with Zipps contributing a portion of each allocated bottle's proceeds to the Hope for the Warriors charity (over $85,000 contributed since 2021).
- Party and Wedding Liquor Services Event planning service for Texas parties, weddings, and special celebrations offering bulk-order discounts, coordinated delivery, and party-related guidance, paired with an online party drink calculator to estimate quantities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10-30% lower prices than competing liquor stores
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Zipps Liquor, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Zipps Liquor, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Zipps Liquor, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Hope for the WarriorscoreZipps Liquor partners with Hope for the Warriors, an organization supporting veterans and their families. A portion of every allocated bourbon purchase supports this charity. Zipps has contributed over $85,000 since 2021 through allocated bottle sales.
- Folds of HonorminorAllocated bourbon purchases support Folds of Honor, an organization dedicated to aiding families of America's fallen and disabled service-members.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Zipps Liquor, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Twin Liquors: Austin-headquartered Texas liquor chain operating multiple stores with deep spirits selection and competitive pricing — directly comparable multi-store retail model targeting the same Texas shopper.
- Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods: Texas-based liquor chain with broad multi-location footprint and similar spirits/wine/beer assortment. Closest direct competitor to Zipps given shared home-market overlap, similar category mix, and overlapping B2B/retail positioning.
- BevMo!: Multi-state liquor chain specializing in beer, wine, and spirits with strong private-label selection and in-store experience. Comparable specialty-retail chain business model, though California-weighted versus Zipps' Texas focus.
Broad incumbents
- Total Wine & More: Largest US multi-category liquor retailer with national footprint and broad selection. Functions as a broad incumbent with overlapping assortment and supercenter format, pressuring regional chains on selection depth and price perception.
Emerging players
- Wine.com: Largest US online wine retailer with deep selection and shipping infrastructure. Comparable category-overlap competitor in the wine slice of Zipps' assortment.
- ReserveBar: Online premium spirits and wine retailer focused on gifting and allocated bottles — directly intersects Zipps' allocated bourbon / premium strategy through a digital-first model.
- Minibar Delivery: On-demand alcohol delivery marketplace operating across multiple US markets. Comparable e-commerce/last-mile alcohol delivery model targeting urban/suburban consumers.
- Drizly: US alcohol e-commerce marketplace and delivery platform increasingly integrating licensed retailer inventories. Represents the digital-native channel competing for Zipps' online/deli very orders.
Others
- H-E-B (grocery alcohol): Dominant Texas grocer with licensed beer/wine/spirits departments. Adjacent channel competing for everyday alcohol basket share rather than selection-driven trips.
- Kroger (grocery alcohol): National grocer with licensed alcohol departments and Kroger Boost delivery service. Indirect competitor providing convenience-driven alcohol purchases.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zipps Liquor, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceZipps Liquor, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zipps Liquor, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Zipps Liquor, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zipps Liquor, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zipps Liquor, Inc.
What does Zipps Liquor, Inc. do?
Zipps Liquor is a Texas-based liquor retail chain that sells spirits, wine, beer, and mixers through more than 35 physical store locations and an online store with in-store pickup or home delivery, complemented by a wholesale liquor division serving bars, restaurants, hotels, event venues, and corporate purchasers with volume pricing. The chain also runs an allocated rare-bourbon program and party/wedding event ordering services.
Is Zipps Liquor, Inc. a public or private company?
Zipps Liquor, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Zipps Liquor, Inc. founded?
Zipps Liquor, Inc. was founded in 1994. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Zipps Liquor, Inc. based?
Zipps Liquor, Inc. is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zipps Liquor, Inc. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retail Alcohol Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale Distribution.
Who are Zipps Liquor, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Twin Liquors, Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods and BevMo!. Total Wine & More is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Wine.com, ReserveBar, Minibar Delivery and Drizly. Others are H-E-B (grocery alcohol) and Kroger (grocery alcohol).
Does Zipps Liquor, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zipps Liquor, Inc..
What industry is Zipps Liquor, Inc. in?
Zipps Liquor, Inc.'s product category is Liquor Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRANAAAA, Liquor Stores (General Off-Premise), with a secondary code of CRANABAH, Mixed Alcohol Specialty Retail (Beer/Wine/Spirits Combined). Its NAICS code is 44532 and its SIC code is 5180.