Boston — Gong cha, the global bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations across 33 international markets, is expanding into the airport sector with a new location planned for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The store is expected to open by the end of 2026 and represents the brand’s first airport location in the U.S., signaling a major step forward in Gong cha’s non-traditional growth strategy.
The location will be operated in partnership with Kind Hospitality, an experienced airport and hospitality operator led by Nava Singam, president and CEO. The partnership reflects Gong cha’s continued focus on aligning with experienced operators capable of executing in high-volume, fast-paced environments.
“Airports are a natural evolution for Gong cha as we continue expanding into high-traffic, non-traditional environments,” says Michael Nedelkovich, vice president of U.S. non-traditional franchise development. “Our model was intentionally designed for operational efficiency, flexibility and speed, making it especially well-suited for airport settings where consumers expect premium quality and convenience without long wait times. This opening represents an exciting opportunity to introduce more travelers to the Gong cha brand while continuing to build scalable growth across multiple formats.”
Built around the company’s Gong cha 2.0 operating platform, introduced earlier this year, the airport format is designed to maximize throughput while minimizing operational complexity. The model supports flexible footprints ranging from approximately 150 to 600 square feet, including kiosks and compact inline formats, while leveraging automation technology capable of producing beverages in under one minute with just one to two employees per shift.
Unlike many traditional foodservice concepts, Gong cha’s streamlined operational model does not require extensive back-of-house infrastructure such as walk-ins or ventilation hoods, allowing the brand to operate efficiently in compact, high-volume environments like airports.
“Gong cha has evolved significantly over the past few years, not just as a brand, but as an operating platform,” says Nedelkovich. “We’ve invested heavily in building a model that can support growth in a much broader range of environments while still protecting the product quality, speed and consistency that matter most to consumers.”
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha operates more than 240 U.S. locations across 24 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Overall, Gong cha spans nearly 2,200 locations worldwide. The brand continues to expand through both traditional and non-traditional formats. For more information, visit https://gongchausa.com/franchise-opportunities/.
SOURCE: Gong cha