Gong Cha Americas Appoints Mark Treptow as Vice President of Franchise Sales & Development

With a track record of transforming emerging restaurant concepts into large national brands, the seasoned industry veteran will drive expansion and success across the Americas

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gong cha, the world’s premier bubble tea brand with more than 230 locations throughout 20 states as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico in the U.S., and nearly 2,200 stores across the globe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Treptow as Vice President of Franchise Sales & Development for the Americas. A seasoned executive in franchise sales and development, Treptow brings a wealth of experience, and a track record of transforming emerging restaurant concepts into large national and international brands.

Before joining Gong cha, Treptow served as Senior Director at Fransmart, a leading franchise development company. During his over 14-year tenure, Treptow was instrumental in the franchise success stories of several prominent brands. He played a pivotal role in the transformation of Freshii from a handful of units into a publicly traded company with over 400 locations across 20 countries. Additionally, he helped grow The Halal Guys from a street cart in NYC to an internationally recognized brand, and facilitated the expansion of Rise Biscuits & Chicken from a single location to 160+ units in development across 14 states.

In his new role at Gong cha, Treptow will leverage his extensive industry knowledge and strategic vision to drive the brand’s growth and success throughout the Americas. His relentless pursuit of excellence and keen eye for emerging trends position him as an invaluable asset to the Gong cha team as the company continues to expand its franchise network. In addition to continuing to build on the brand’s established presence coast to coast, Gong cha is starting to target more of the top 50 metropolitan areas of the country. As Vice President of Franchise Sales & Development, Treptow will oversee all aspects of franchise development, including identifying and securing new franchise partners, supporting existing franchisees, and implementing strategic initiatives to drive the brand’s expansion.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mark Treptow to the Gong cha family," says Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas. "Mark's impressive track record and deep understanding of the franchise landscape will be crucial as we launch our direct franchising efforts here in the US. His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of our brand as we look to partner with experienced multi-unit and multi-brand operators."

For more information about Gong cha and franchise opportunities, please visit https://gongchafranchising.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 nearly 2,200 locations across 24 countries, it is also one of the fastest-growing bubble tea brands, attracting entrepreneurs across the globe due to its lucrative franchise program. Gong cha was ranked #1 in the Tea category in Entrepreneur magazine’s prestigious Franchise 500® list for the third consecutive year (2024, 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 #5 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers List honoring brands leading the industry (2024); and named one of QSR Magazine’s 17 Best Restaurant Franchising Deals for 2023. For more, please visit gongchausofficial.com.