Gong Cha, one of the world's fastest-growing bubble tea brands, has secured a franchise deal to launch over 225 stores across the UK in the coming years.
The agreement is expected to generate nearly 2,000 new jobs in the UK and aligns with Gong Cha’s global expansion strategy to reach 10,000 locations by 2032.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006 and headquartered in London since 2019, Gong Cha operates over 2,100 locations across 28 countries.
Gong Cha's teas are fully customisable, offering over 600 flavour combinations with ingredients such as brown sugar pearls, fruit jellies, and salty cold foam.
Gong Cha currently operates 13 stores in the UK and has signed a new franchise agreement with Jinziex, a company led by Diljit Brar, CEO of Goldex, the UK’s largest Costa franchise; Azha Rehman, founder and CEO of Kaspa’s Desserts; and Steve Falle, managing director of WY&SF Ltd.
Jinziex's first Gong Cha stores are set to open in April, with locations in Sidcup, Gravesend, Romford, and Hornchurch.
According to Fortitude Business Insights, the UK bubble tea market is projected to double by 2032, driven by its popularity among Gen Z and the increasing demand for customisation.
Paul Reynish, global chief executive of Gong Cha, said: “As a market, the UK has huge potential for us. It’s a market that is constantly evolving, ripe with innovation, and made up of consumers willing to try new and exciting products.
“We firmly believe it is one of the most significant markets in the global F&B industry, and one of the reasons we relocated our Global HQ to London in 2019. Now, with our expanded footprint, we want to play a leading role in shaping the next decade of the UK’s food and beverage industry, while cementing Gong Cha as a household name. We can’t wait to show the UK how tea is meant to be.”
In the US, Gong Cha is one of the largest bubble tea brands, with over 250 stores across 20 states. It also holds leading market positions in Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Japan, and has expanded into Europe with locations in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Over the next decade, the group has set ambitious goals to expand to over 10,000 locations worldwide, with a significant portion of this growth expected to come from new markets in Europe.
