PORTSMOUTH — Now you’ll be able to order a bubble tea to go with that steak-and-cheese grinder.

Empire Tea and Coffee, which has two locations in Newport and one in Middletown, is now branching into Portsmouth.

On Jan. 11 the Town Council approved a victualler license to Empire to operate a coffee shop at 2005 East Main Road, where a Subway is located.

The sandwich shop isn’t going anywhere, however, as the two businesses will share the same space. Empire will move into the building space that was formerly frequented by Beluga Frozen Yogurt

“The yogurt shop’s lease was up and they decided to relocate,” said Derek Savas, who owns the Subway shop.“ (Empire’s) going to be doing some aesthetic improvements — nothing to much. Hopefully it will be open in February. It will open earlier than Subway — 6 a.m. or so.”

According to the license application, the coffee shop will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mr. Savas said customers should expect to see on the menu all the drinks normally served at Empire— coffees and teas, espressos, chai lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, bubble tea and more. The food menu items Empire may offer are still being discussed, he said.

Subway and Empire have a similar shared space on Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown.

“We also own the Subway in Middletown and we rent out the other half,” said Mr. Savas.