Taiwan bubble teamaker expanding in Europe

Gong cha, a Taiwanese tea brand, says it is seeking additional franchisees across Europe. The company is planning to grow its presence as part of a broader global expansion. The company offers a range of 600 customisable bubble teas. According to Allied Market Research, the European bubble tea market is over $300 million (€243.2m) in size and growing at 9% per year.

The company employs a mostly take-out model, offering bubble tea through delivery as well as in-store pickup. Despite the global pandemic, new stores have continued to open around the world, including a new store in Liverpool, UK. It now has stores in 19 countries with over 1,300 locations, including Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the United States.

Gong cha’s bubble tea is a milk tea infused with pearls (chewy pearl-shaped tapioca), flavoured with fruit and other toppings and usually served over ice. Flavours include Pearl Milk Tea and Brown Sugar Milk Tea, and the company regularly offers seasonal products, such as Mango Milk Foam Slush and Crème Brulee.

It was also recently acquired by TA Associates, a private equity firm. Einar Gustafsson has joined Gong cha as CEO, Americas and Europe. He was previously managing director for Bakkavor Asia, an integrated food manufacturing company, specialising in chilled, prepared food, and helped build Bakkavor’s presence in China.

“I am excited to share the Gong cha opportunity with interested potential franchisees,” says Gustafsson. “Gong cha is a leading brand in a fast-growing category.”

Another addition to the team, James Sollars, joined Gong cha as COO of Gong cha Europe to lead the company’s expansion in the region. Prior to joining Gong cha, Sollars spent more than 20 years with Pret A Manger, leading that company’s entry into the US and China.