Boston — Gong cha, the world’s premier bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 stores in 29 international markets, is accelerating its U.S. growth with major expansion plans across the Western United States. With more than 200 of its 240 U.S. stores currently located east of the Rockies, the brand is now entering new markets including Arizona, the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, as well as ramping up development in California.
“With more than 200 stores east of the Rockies, we’ve laid a strong foundation — and now we’re building on that momentum with a bold push across the Western U.S.,” says Mark Treptow, vice president of franchise sales & development for Gong cha Americas.
Gong cha will be opening its first-ever stores in the Arizona market and has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement for Tempe, Mesa and Chandler. In Washington State, the first Seattle-area location is set to open this spring.
These moves mark the beginning of Gong cha’s most ambitious Western expansion to date — including the announcement that the brand has re-acquired the franchise rights for California. With 27 locations already operating in the state, Gong cha is now positioned to scale significantly, with plans to grow to 200 stores across California in the coming years. This effort is a key pillar of the company’s broader goal to surpass 500 U.S. locations by 2028.
“We’re confident in our goal of surpassing 500 U.S. locations in the next 3 years,” Treptow continues. “We’re growing with passionate, best-in-class partners who believe in the product, the experience and the long term potential of the Gong cha model.”
Gong cha is actively seeking top-tier franchise partners in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii — markets where demand for high-quality bubble tea continues to rise.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha is the world’s premier bubble tea brand. Gong cha is one of the fastest-growing bubble tea brands in the U.S and internationally, with nearly 2,200 locations in 29 international markets. Since 2014 Gong cha has opened more than 240 stores in the U.S. across 21 states and Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico and is on track to exceed more than 500 stores in the Americas by 2028. For more information, visit https://gongchausofficial.com.
SOURCE: Gong cha