Gong cha

Gong cha (貢茶) turned bubble tea from a regional category into a repeatable global-format business. Founded in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2006, the company built its identity around made-to-order drinks, whole-leaf tea, and a menu structure that makes customization part of the product rather than a side feature. That operating model helped it move from a single-market success story into one of the most visible names in modern tea retail.

The scale is now hard to ignore. By 2026, Gong cha was describing itself as a fast-growing international chain with nearly 2,200 stores across more than 30 markets and a headquarters footprint in the United Kingdom. The business sits in a sweet spot between premium cues and franchise discipline, which is why it keeps showing up in global food-service rankings while still feeling culturally legible to younger consumers.

Its K-culture value accelerated when Felix of Stray Kids became global brand ambassador in 2025. Gong cha extended that partnership through 2026 and expanded campaigns across Korea, the United States, Japan, and Australia, turning Felix from a simple celebrity face into a meaningful growth lever for the brand's next international chapter.