Gong cha Climbs Nearly 40 Spots in Entrepreneur magazine’s Highly Competitive Franchise 500® List, Ranking #142

The world’s premier bubble tea brand also ranked #1 in category for the fifth consecutive year

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gong cha, the world’s premier bubble tea brand, improved its ranking in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® by 39 spots, climbing to #142 from its 2025 ranking of #181. Gong cha also retained its title as the #1 franchise in the Tea category for the fifth consecutive year. For over 45 years, achieving placement on the annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500® has been a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, recognizing outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

With nearly 2,200 locations in 33 international markets and over 240 stores in the U.S. across 23 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, Gong cha’s impressive ranking and continued upward trajectory is reflective of the brand’s aggressive growth strategy in the U.S. and internationally—as well as the overall profitability and popularity of the bubble tea sector. In 2025, Gong cha opened more than 230 new stores worldwide, achieved an 8.5% YOY increase in global sales growth, and entered new markets including Mongolia, Colombia, Ecuador, Thailand, and The Bahamas

In 2025, Gong cha U.S. marked several significant milestones: entering new markets including the Pacific Northwest, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Maine, and Arizona; making strategic inroads into non-traditional venues, with the opening of its first location at the iconic Atlantis Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas; and laying the groundwork for an aggressive expansion across California. The brand is on track to exceed more than 500 stores in the Americas by 2028.

In 2025, Gong cha also introduced successful marketing collaborations with viral brands like Peanuts® and LINE FRIENDS minini, launched new trending LTOs including Biscoff®, Pumpkin Spice, and Dragon Fruit, and signed Felix from Stray Kids as their global brand ambassador, releasing a series of exclusive limited edition products with the K-pop superstar.

“Earning #1 in our category for the fifth consecutive year—and climbing over 150 spots in the Franchise 500® ranking in just two years—reinforces the strength and trajectory of the Gong cha brand,” says Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas. “It reflects a business that’s growing with intention, and a franchise network that’s deeply invested in long-term success. We’re heading into 2026 with a renewed commitment to innovation, efficiency, and growth, and have some exciting announcements on this front coming soon.”

Gong cha’s success can be attributed to several distinct factors including:

• Premium Quality Products: Gong cha sources its teas from the finest estates across Asia, prepares the tea and tapioca pearls fresh in each store throughout the day, and offers customers the ability to customize their beverage to their exact specifications—with over 600 possible combinations of toppings, ice, and sweetness levels available.
• Simple & Scalable Operational Model: Gong cha shops require only a moderate capital investment and minimal buildout. Equipment costs are low thanks to efficient use of space and limited food preparation requirements, virtually all ingredients have a long shelf life (so there’s very little waste), and it’s a low cost of goods with high margins.
• Strong Corporate Support: Gong cha provides its franchisees with access to a fully built-out supply chain—with the highest quality ingredients sourced and shipped directly from Taiwan, assistance identifying optimal store locations, and robust consumer marketing and advertising programs.

Gong cha is actively seeking franchisees to continue its rapid growth across the Americas. For more information on Gong cha’s franchise program, visit https://gongchausofficial.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 its premium product, simple and scalable operational model, and strong corporate support, Gong cha is one of the fastest-growing bubble tea brands in the U.S and internationally, with nearly 2,200 locations in 33 international markets. Since 2014 Gong cha has opened more than 240 stores in the U.S. across 23 states and Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico and is on track to exceed more than 500 stores in the Americas by 2028. Gong cha was ranked #1 in the Tea category in Entrepreneur magazine’s prestigious Franchise 500® list for the fifth consecutive year (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022); ranked #134 on Franchise Times’ Top 400 List of the largest U.S. based franchise systems by global systemwide sales (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021); ranked #9 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers List honoring brands leading the industry (2025); awarded category winner of Top Food & Beverage Franchises in the Global Franchise Awards (2025); and named one of QSR Magazine’s 17 Best Restaurant Franchising Deals for 2023. For more, please visit gongchausofficial.com.