Gong cha, the fast-growing global bubble tea brand, has signed an agreement with Jinziex – a new company led by Diljit Brar, CEO of Goldex; Azha Rehman, Founder & CEO of Kaspa’s Desserts; and Steve Falle Managing Director of WY&SF Ltd – to open an initial 225+ stores in the UK over the coming years, cementing Gong cha as a clear market leader and household name brand in the UK. The agreement will create nearly 2,000 new jobs in the UK and is seen as an important part of Gong cha’s global expansion strategy to scale to 10,000 sites by 2032.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006 and headquartered in London since 2019, Gong cha is known for its high-quality, freshly brewed whole-leaf bubble teas. Working with exclusive tea growers around the world, Gong cha combines the distinct flavour profiles of whole-leaf tea with innovative ingredients, toppings and inclusions – from brown sugar pearls and fruit jellies to salty cold foam – to create truly unique beverages. The product is totally customisable, with more than 600 possible flavour combinations.
In 2009, the brand expanded overseas for the first time and has grown significantly to operate more than 2,100 locations across 28 countries. In the US, Gong cha is one of the largest bubble tea brands, having scaled to operate more than 250 stores across 20 states. It also has market leading positions in Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan and, in Europe, has expanded to France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
In the UK, Gong cha currently operates 13 stores. In 2024, the brand was named #1 in the Tea category in Entrepreneur Media’s prestigious Franchise 500 list for the third consecutive year.
By 2032, the UK bubble tea market is forecast to double in size, driven by Gen Z consumer demand amidst growing calls for customisation.
Gong cha’s partnership with Jinziex builds on a period of strong strategic progress and momentum. In late 2023, Gong cha signed its largest ever Master Franchise agreement to open at least 300 locations in the Middle East with Shahia Foods Group. Over the next decade, the Group has ambitious targets to scale to more than 10,000 global locations, with a significant proportion of growth coming from new markets in Europe, including the UK.
Jinziex’s first Gong cha locations are expected to open in April with stores in Sidcup, Gravesend, Romford, and Hornchurch.
Paul Reynish, Global CEO of Gong cha, said:“Across Europe we continue to see fantastic interest from potential franchisees keen to bring the world’s fastest-growing tea brand to their market. But where it mattered most to us was the UK, which is one of the most exciting markets for us globally. After a careful selection process, we’re delighted to partner with Jinziex – a proven and highly respected food and beverage franchise operator – who match our ambitions to become the clear bubble tea market leader in the UK.
“As a market, the UK has huge potential for us. It’s a market that is constantly evolving, ripe with innovation, and made up of consumers willing to try new and exciting products. We firmly believe it is one of the most significant markets in the global F&B industry, and one of the reasons we relocated our Global HQ to London in 2019.”
