September 12, 2025

H-E-B Announces Finalists for Quest for Texas Best

News Summary

H-E-B has revealed the finalists for its 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best competition, highlighting 10 small businesses from across Texas. These finalists have the chance to win cash prizes totaling $100,000 and shelf space in H-E-B stores. Local Houston businesses are well-represented among the finalists, showcasing innovative products ranging from authentic Vietnamese meats to unique handcrafted items. The competition emphasizes H-E-B’s commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs and enriching the Texas community.

Texas – H-E-B has announced the finalists for the 12th annual Quest for Texas Best competition, a program that highlights exceptional Texas-made products from small businesses across the state. This year, 10 finalists were chosen from over 370 submissions representing nearly 150 Texas cities.

The Quest for Texas Best competition emphasizes the innovation and quality present in local entrepreneurship. The selected finalists will compete for a share of $100,000 in cash prizes and the chance to feature their products on H-E-B’s shelves, an opportunity that can significantly boost their businesses.

The final event is scheduled for September 25 at H-E-B’s headquarters in San Antonio, where a panel of judges will review product presentations and evaluate the entrepreneurs’ compelling business stories to determine the winners.

Award Breakdown

The competition rewards not only the winners but also recognizes the effort and quality of all finalists. The awards for this year include:

$50,000 for the Grand Prize winner, who will also earn the title of “Texas Best” and secure product placement on H-E-B shelves.
$25,000 for first place.
$15,000 for second place.
$10,000 for third place.

Expanding Local Perspectives

According to H-E-B’s Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, the competition aims to empower local entrepreneurs by providing them with visibility and resources to grow their businesses. Over the last decade, H-E-B has discovered more than 1,000 unique Texas-made products as a result of these efforts.

To date, the retailer has awarded nearly $2.75 million in prize money through this initiative and has complemented these financial awards with marketing and mentorship support. Furthermore, H-E-B has recognized 55 suppliers with commemorative Million Dollar Club belt buckles for achieving over $1 million in sales.

Local Representation

This year’s finalists include four businesses based in the Houston area, showcasing the diverse range of products that represent the local culture and innovation:

Long Phung Food Products: Known for their high-quality Vietnamese meats.
My Drink Bomb: Specializes in handcrafted cocktail bombs that provide a unique beverage experience.
The Lavish Goat: Offers bath and body products that emphasize natural ingredients and local craftsmanship.
JAM-IN Crawfish Tool: Designed specifically to make the process of peeling crawfish easier and more efficient.

Aside from these Houston-based businesses, finalists hail from various Texas cities such as Austin, Bryan, Boerne, and McAllen, illustrating the widespread talent and entrepreneurial spirit found throughout the state.

H-E-B’s Commitment to Community

H-E-B has been an integral part of Texas communities for 120 years, operating over 455 stores and emphasizing a commitment to fresh produce and community service. The Quest for Texas Best competition aligns with the company’s goal of supporting local economies and celebrating Texas-made innovations.

This initiative not only highlights the creativity of Texas entrepreneurs but also strengthens the connection between small businesses and their communities, showcasing what makes Texas unique.