September 19, 2025

TikTok’s Impact on Small Businesses in Arlington

Arlington, Texas, September 19, 2025

News Summary

TikTok has emerged as a crucial tool for small businesses like Pan Pan Bakery and Cafe in Arlington, Texas, enabling them to reach vast audiences and boost sales. A viral post led to a remarkable surge in customer visits, demonstrating how the platform drives local foot traffic. Business owners voice concerns over a potential ban on TikTok, fearing disruptions in revenue streams and customer acquisition. The TikTok ban’s implications extend beyond individual businesses, potentially affecting millions of users and small enterprises that rely on the app’s organic reach for growth.

Arlington, Texas — TikTok has significantly helped small businesses thrive, including Pan Pan Bakery and Cafe, a unique Mexican-Japanese fusion cafe in North Texas. After a viral post reached almost 20 million people with approximately 3 million likes, the Arlington shop saw long lines of customers almost daily, demonstrating TikTok’s outsized role in driving local foot traffic and sales.

Key developments

The viral post reached almost 20 million people with approximately 3 million likes, leading to a surge in customer visits. After a viral TikTok video, her Arlington shop saw long lines of customers almost daily. The owner of the bakery, Laura Molinar, the owner of Pan Pan Bakery and Cafe, experienced panic when there were concerns that TikTok might be banned. Molinar uses the platform in an unconventional way, focusing on the concept rather than just the products themselves.

TikTok has more than 170 million users in the United States, playing a crucial role for around 5 million small businesses. Industry and small-business advisers warn that a sudden loss of access could disrupt customer acquisition and revenue streams for many enterprises that rely on the app’s algorithm and organic reach.

Federal action and timeline

President Donald Trump has delayed the enforcement of a national TikTok ban multiple times, most recently extending it until December. The current ban implementation hinges on whether a U.S.-based company will acquire TikTok from its China-based parent company, ByteDance. A federal ban on TikTok is set to go into effect on January 19 unless the Supreme Court intervenes.

What access would remain

Users who already have TikTok downloaded will still have access even if the app is removed from mobile app stores, but they will not receive updates. That limited continuity could leave businesses and creators working with an app that declines in functionality over time, especially as updates to monetization and advertising features stop.

Local and regional business impact

Real estate agents in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have leveraged TikTok for marketing, increasing commissions and referrals. Many agents report experiencing substantial growth in their businesses through TikTok, as it allows them to portray their authentic selves. TikTok serves as a powerful tool for agents to reach clients organically without competing against larger corporations for ad space.

Some agents have created specialized content series to engage viewers and build a follower base. Various real estate agents attribute their success directly to TikTok, with agents like Lacey Brutschy increasing their commissions significantly. Those agents say the platform’s format supports genuine communication and connections that translate to leads and referrals.

Challenges in shifting platforms

Some businesses may struggle to transition to other platforms like Instagram, where the algorithm is less effective for virality compared to TikTok. Agencies and small-business owners warn that advertising spend will likely need to increase to buy reach on other platforms, and organic discovery may decline.

Voices and concerns

Sarah Mize, CEO of a social media agency, expressed concerns over the ban’s effect on small businesses that rely on TikTok for advertising. Creators and small-business operators across multiple cities report uncertainty about rebuilding audiences and preserving income streams if access is curtailed.

Tucson’s content creators are concerned about the potential loss of the platform and its impact on their livelihoods as the ban deadline approaches. The concern stretches from sole proprietors and hobby creators to paid influencers who depend on partnerships and platform-driven discovery.

National security and legal context

Lawmakers have cited national security concerns, including data privacy and content manipulation risks, as the basis for action. The sale of TikTok to a U.S.-based buyer is the central condition under which the ban might be averted, according to current implementation plans that reference ByteDance as the China-based parent company.

Near-term implications

If no acquisition resolves the administration’s concerns and no court blocks enforcement, the scheduled ban could force businesses and creators to accelerate migration strategies, invest in alternate marketing channels, or face interrupted access to a platform that currently supports millions of small-business interactions nationwide.

Background

TikTok’s role in small-business marketing expanded rapidly because its short-form video algorithm favors shareability and rapid follower growth. The app’s reach has enabled singular viral posts to transform local operations into regional draws. That dynamic is central to why owners like Molinar and professionals in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have come to rely heavily on the platform.

FAQ

How did TikTok affect Pan Pan Bakery and Cafe in Arlington?

After a viral TikTok video, her Arlington shop saw long lines of customers almost daily. The viral post reached almost 20 million people with approximately 3 million likes, leading to a surge in customer visits. Laura Molinar, the owner of Pan Pan Bakery and Cafe, experienced panic when there were concerns that TikTok might be banned. Molinar promotes her bakery using TikTok in an unconventional way, focusing on the concept rather than just the products themselves.

What is the federal timeline for a TikTok ban?

President Donald Trump has delayed the enforcement of a national TikTok ban multiple times, most recently extending it until December. A federal ban on TikTok is set to go into effect on January 19 unless the Supreme Court intervenes. The current ban implementation hinges on whether a U.S.-based company will acquire TikTok from its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

How many users and small businesses rely on TikTok in the United States?

TikTok has more than 170 million users in the United States, playing a crucial role for around 5 million small businesses.

How are real estate agents affected in the Dallas‑Fort Worth region?

Real estate agents in the Dallas-Fort Worth region have leveraged TikTok for marketing, increasing commissions and referrals. Many agents report experiencing substantial growth in their businesses through TikTok, as it allows them to portray their authentic selves. Various real estate agents attribute their success directly to TikTok, with agents like Lacey Brutschy increasing their commissions significantly. TikTok serves as a powerful tool for agents to reach clients organically without competing against larger corporations for ad space.

What happens to users if TikTok is removed from app stores?

Users who already have TikTok downloaded will still have access even if the app is removed from mobile app stores, but they will not receive updates.

Who has voiced concerns about the ban’s effect on small businesses?

Sarah Mize, CEO of a social media agency, expressed concerns over the ban’s effect on small businesses that rely on TikTok for advertising.

Are creators outside Texas affected?

Tucson’s content creators are concerned about the potential loss of the platform and its impact on their livelihoods as the ban deadline approaches.

Feature	Detail
TikTok U.S. reach	TikTok has more than 170 million users in the United States, playing a crucial role for around 5 million small businesses.
Local viral impact	The viral post reached almost 20 million people with approximately 3 million likes, leading to a surge in customer visits. After a viral TikTok video, her Arlington shop saw long lines of customers almost daily.
Business promotion style	Molinar promotes her bakery using TikTok in an unconventional way, focusing on the concept rather than just the products themselves.
Legal status	President Donald Trump has delayed the enforcement of a national TikTok ban multiple times, most recently extending it until December. A federal ban on TikTok is set to go into effect on January 19 unless the Supreme Court intervenes.
Sale condition	The current ban implementation hinges on whether a U.S.-based company will acquire TikTok from its China-based parent company, ByteDance.
Accessibility if removed	Users who already have TikTok downloaded will still have access even if the app is removed from mobile app stores, but they will not receive updates.

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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

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