The UK’s best bubble tea franchise options for investment
Bubble tea is appealing to the taste buds of British consumers across the country, making it a lucrative business opportunity for those within the food and beverage industry.
Bubble tea franchises
CUPP
YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea UK
What is bubble tea? And what is the market like?
Bubble tea is a beverage that originated in East Asia decades ago, but in recent years it’s come into favour with the British public. Social media platforms like TikTok have only proliferated this success further, particularly among younger age groups.
The drink, which can also be referred to as boba tea or milk tea, is essentially a cold sweet dessert beverage. It combines tea, milk, and various toppings such as tapioca and jelly, which means stores can sell multiple drink options and orders can be easily customised.
Currently the UK bubble tea industry is beginning to boom, with multiple bubble tea shops popping up across the country and no signs of this growth slowing.
In fact, the global market was valued at £1.76 billion in 2021, according to Fortune Business Insights. Over the next decade market growth is expected to continue an upward trajectory, with a predicted 8.9 per cent CAGR globally between 2023-2030, according to Grand View Research.
(Bubble tea franchises can also be referred to as peal tea franchises and boba tea franchises.)
How much does a bubble tea franchise cost?
Franchise fees can vary depending on what brand you opt to invest in. However, on average total investment can range between £50,000 to £150,000. Factors such as location and whether you opt for a kiosk business or bricks and mortar location will influence this price.
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Franchise opportunities in the UK
Plenty of brands have been popping up across the country in the past decade. In this article, we run through some of the most enquired about, and whether they offer UK franchise packages.
1. Moya bubble tea franchise
Korean brand Moya has been tapping into the bubble tea market with vibrant, cream topped drinks. Its menu also comprises bingsu (a type Korean dessert), boba ice cream, and iced coffees. The brand, which operates under Itaewon Korean Supermarket, has said its open to franchising opportunities.
2. T4 Bubble Tea franchise
The Taiwanese brand opened in 2004 and since grown internationally via franchising. Its network extends to the UK, and it has more than 60 stores in the UK. The initial franchise fee is reported to be £106,000, with an average £125,000 annual net profit, according to the British Franchise Association.
3. Chatime Bubble Tea Franchise
Founded in 2005 in Taiwan, Chatime is another international brand that has expanded into the UK. It currently has around 30 locations in the UK, with 3000 stores globally. Total investment is estimated to be around £160,000 to £365,000, depending on location and business model. Initial franchise fee is reported to be £38,000.
4. CUPP Bubble Tea Franchise
UK-based CUPP is a bubble tea franchise inspired by founder Lee Peacock’s time living in Taiwan. The brand aims to differentiate itself by moving away from artificial ingredients as well as embracing sustainability by opting for biodegradable bamboo fibre straws.
There are CUPP franchises popping up across the UK in converted shipping containers, kiosks, and high street stores. The franchise has a turnkey operation from £60,000 with the franchise fee (£15,000) included in this figure. Additional costs include, the royalty fee, marketing, building rent, and utility costs which are calculated by the franchisee. On average, it’s estimated that the total investment can be anywhere from £60,000 up to £300,000, depending on the set up.
5. Mooboo Bubble Tea Franchise
The British brand was founded in Camden, London in 2012. Since then, its popularity has propelled the franchise to more than 100 locations across the UK. Minimum investment is reportedly £20,000, with total investment accumulating to £80,000.
6. Alley bubble tea franchise
The Allery bubble tea franchise opened to opportunities in 2023. However, it has since put a pause on new franchisees, with the intention to return to expansion at a later date. So, this brand could be one to look out for in the future.
7. Coco Bubble Tea Franchise
The brand was founded in 1997 and has since established more than 5,000 stores worldwide. It is currently expanding its presence in various markets including the UK. Initial investment is anticipated to be around £250,000-£500,000, but it’s best to contact the franchise team directly to confirm costs.
8. Gong Cha Bubble Tea Franchise
The Taiwanese brand was founded in 2006 and have since franchised across numerous markets, including the UK. The initial franchise fee is reported to be £10,000, with additional store setup, equipment, inventory, staff, marketing fees additional. The Gong Cha franchise team will be able to confirm this cost directly, depending on your location and business set up preferences.
9. Dr Bubbles tea franchise
The India brand has garnered a lot of attention, however it only currently franchises in India. If you’re interested in bringing the brand to the UK, you need to contact the franchise directly to understand if this is a possibility. (Please note, this is usually a lot more expensive than investing in an existing UK-operating brand.)
10. Tea One bubble tea franchise
The brand is relatively new and operating 60 locations across six countries in Europe, with stores in countries such as Spain and Germany. It is currently looking to expand further across the continent including the UK. Investment information is not publicly available.
11. Real Fruit Bubble Tea franchise
The brand has gained success by emphasising its use of fresh fruit. However, franchising efforts have so far concentrated on the Canadian market, with the brand yet to makes its debut into the UK.
12.CUPP bubble tea franchise
UK-based CUPP is a bubble tea franchise inspired by founder Lee Peacock’s time living in Taiwan. The brand aims to differentiate itself by moving away from artificial ingredients as well as embracing sustainability by opting for biodegradable bamboo fibre straws.
There are CUPP franchises popping up across the UK in converted shipping containers, kiosks, and high street stores. The franchise has a turnkey operation from £60,000 with the franchise fee (£15,000) included in this figure. Additional costs include, the royalty fee, marketing, building rent, and utility costs which are calculated by the franchisee. On average, it’s estimated that the total investment can be anywhere from £60,000 up to £300,000, depending on the set up.
12. Tiger Sugar Bubble Tea franchise
The Taiwanese brand has franchised locations across Taiwan, China, Australia, Canada, and the United States. It has now set its sights on expanding into the UK market, with investment figures not known publicly.
13. Yoyo Bubble tea franchise
The Dutch brand was established in Rotterdam in 2012. It has since franchised, growing to 14 locations across the country. It has now also turned its attention the British market and is hoping to attract franchisees from across the UK. Investment information is not publicly known.
14. Vivi bubble tea
The Taiwanese brand was founded in 2007 and has since expanding into international markets via franchising, with a particularly strong presence in the US. It is planning to build upon its 70 locations further by franchising in the UK, however investment information is not publicly available.
15. YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea UK
YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea UK opened its doors in London’s Chinatown back in 2017. Since then, the franchise has continued to grow. The brand is built around providing fruit teas derived from natural and healthy ingredients. Positioning franchisees as business partners within the brand has also been a key part of YiFang’s efforts to differentiate itself in the booming market.
Currently YiFang is searching for franchisees to double down on its London presence. However, it has also set its sights on opening branches in other cities across the UK. Total investment is estimated to be around £50,000-£120,000, plus a percentage of monthly turnover.
How can I set up a tea franchise?
There may be new opportunities to capitalise on the growing UK appetite for bubble tea.
However, there are already a lot of established players in the market, and it may be wise to open a business under one of these established brands, as opposed to starting from scratch. You can achieve this by investing in a franchise model.
Bubble tea franchise owners can benefit from several advantages. These include:
• Access to an established supply chain which means you won’t need to source ingredients.
• Training and support from the get-go which means you can get up and running as quickly as possible.
• A tried and tested business model which aims to capture the market and keep up with industry trends from day one.
• Ongoing support from fellow entrepreneurs in the franchise network.
• Funding options (for select tea franchise brands).
Want to see more beverage franchise options? View the What Franchise directory for an extensive list of opportunities.
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