Gong cha signs franchise deal to open 225 UK stores

London-headquartered Gong cha is seeking to reach 10,000 sites globally by 2032 | Photo credit: Gong cha

Bubble tea chain Gong cha has signed an agreement with new franchise consortium Jinziex to open at least 225 stores in the UK over the ‘coming years’. 
 

The Taiwanese bubble tea chain made its UK debut in 2019 with a store in Manchester and currently operates 13 stores in some of the country’s largest cities. The first four outlets of the new partnership are expected to open in Romford, Hornchurch, Sidcup and Gravesend in April 2025. 

In a press release, Gong cha said the franchise agreement marks an important step in its bid to reach 10,000 sites globally by 2032 and will see the UK lead its expansion in Europe, where it also operates a handful of licensed sites in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal. 
 

“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 matches our ambitions to become the clear bubble tea market leader in the UK,” said Paul Reynish, Global CEO, Gong cha.  

In June 2023, Reynish outlined an ambitious goal to open 500 stores in the UK over the long-term, highlighting the market as ‘ripe for franchising’. Gong cha relocated its headquarters from Seoul, South Korea, to London in 2019 – a move Reynish said positions it at the centre of one of the most significant cities in the global F&B industry. 

Established in July 2024, Jinziex is co-led by Diljit Brar, CEO of Goldex, one of Costa Coffee’s largest franchisees with more than 60 licensed stores across the UK and Morocco. Jinziex’s other founders are Azha Rehman, who leads fellow Costa Coffee franchisee WY&SF Ltd, and Steve Falle, Founder and CEO of 85-store dessert café Kaspa’s. 

“Gong cha is a fantastic global brand with a truly unique customer offer that plays into the heart of changing consumer tastes and trends. Leveraging our experience from scaling a highly successful Costa Coffee franchise, our relationships with leading landlords, and operational expertise, we are highly confident that we can scale quickly and ensure Gong cha becomes a household name,” said Brar, CEO of Goldex, which franchises Costa Coffee stores in the UK and Morocco. 

Founded in 2013, Gong cha operates more than 2,100 locations across 28 markets globally, with a strong presence in the US, Australia and South Korea. In January 2024, the bubble tea chain signed its largest ever master franchise agreement to open at least 300 locations across the Middle East in partnership with Riyadh-based Shahia Foods.