Gong Cha Climbs 42 Spots on Franchise Times’ Distinguished Top 400 List

Published a year ago via Business Wire

The world’s premier bubble tea brand ranks #151 overall in the brand’s third appearance on the list

Gong cha, the world’s premier bubble tea brand, was recognized as one of the top 400 franchises in the U.S. on Franchise Times' distinguished Top 400 List. The annual ranking analyzes the largest U.S. franchise systems by industry sector, based on global systemwide sales growth and the past year's performance. Reflecting the tremendous growth the brand has experienced in the previous year and a 16.5% sales increase, Gong cha improved its position from #193 in 2022 to #151 in 2023, climbing the list by a remarkable 42 spots.

As the world's premier bubble tea brand with more than 2,000 international locations, this is Gong cha's third consecutive appearance on the list, recognizing the brand’s rapid growth fueled by its aggressive expansion strategy. Since 2014, Gong cha has opened more than 225 stores in the U.S. alone, across 19 states and Washington, D.C. The brand is on track to nearly double that count, reaching 500 stores in the U.S. by 2025. Marking a significant milestone for Gong cha in 2023, the brand celebrated the opening of its 2000th store worldwide in the Boston market, home of the company’s U.S. headquarters.

At the root of Gong cha’s success and appeal to franchisees is, in part, the brand’s commitment to providing world class support for each of its franchisees. Gong cha provides robust training, operational guidance and marketing support for each of its franchisors. To continue to support the brand’s ambitious growth goals, Gong cha launched a U.S. brand marketing fund, as well as nearly doubling the size of its team in 2023. Gong cha made key hires to help lead new market expansion and optimize its supply chain in the North and South American territories. The new hires include a global chief marketing officer, a director of brand and consumer marketing, a senior director of supply chain, additional franchise business leaders and Geoff Henry, President of the Americas.

"We are thrilled to see the hard work of our growing team recognized and be included on this list of top franchises from Franchise Times," says Geoff Henry, Gong cha’s President of the Americas. "Gong cha is continuing to grow at a rapid clip in the U.S. and abroad, as bubble tea’s broad appeal has made our delicious and high quality beverages part of our consumers’ daily routine. Our success is reflective of the work of our U.S. franchise team, providing world-class support to our franchisees and working quickly to meet the rising demand for new stores across the Americas region.”

Gong cha is accepting qualified franchisees to continue its monumental growth across the U.S. For more information on Gong cha’s franchise program, visit https://gongchausofficial.com.

ABOUT GONG CHA

Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha is the world’s premier bubble tea brand. Its commitment to quality starts with its name: “Gong cha” means to offer the best tea to the emperor from all of one’s possessions. From the most seasoned bubble tea connoisseur to a first-timer, Gong cha offers its customers the ability to customize their beverage to their exact specifications, and never sacrifices flavor or technique. With more than 2,000 locations across 23 countries, it is also one of the fastest-growing bubble tea brands, attracting entrepreneurs across the globe to its lucrative franchise program. Gong cha was ranked #1 in the Tea category on Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500® list for the second consecutive year (2023 & 2022); awarded category winner of Top Food & Beverage Franchises in the Global Franchise Awards (2023); and ranked #151 on Franchise Times’ Top 400 List of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global systemwide sales (2023, 2022 & 2021); ranked #25 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers List honoring brands leading the industry (2023); named one of QSR Magazine’s 17 Best Restaurant Franchising Deals for 2023. For more, please visit gong-cha.com.

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