Gong Cha Reaches No. 129 on Franchise Times List

Gong cha has moved to No. 129 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, up five positions from No. 134 in 2025. The bubble tea franchise reported global systemwide sales growth of 8.8% in 2025, compared with 4.3% combined growth across the ranked systems. Gong cha operates nearly 2,200 locations in 33 international markets and has more than 240 locations across 24 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Its Americas expansion plan calls for more than 500 stores by 2028, supported by multi-unit agreements, nontraditional sites, and its Gong cha 2.0 operating model.

Sales Growth Lifts Ranking

Franchise Times ranks the largest U.S. franchise systems by global systemwide sales. The 400 systems included in the 2026 ranking generated $784.6 billion in annual sales, an increase of $32.5 billion from the prior year.

For franchise operators, Gong cha’s position reflects a period of expansion that combines consumer-facing beverage customization with a more standardized operating model intended to support higher order volume.

Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas, said:

“Beverage brands need to earn two kinds of loyalty: guests who keep coming back and franchisees who see a reason to keep investing. Sustaining both requires more than a compelling menu. It takes an operating model that can handle customization at scale, support consistent service, and adapt to different real estate opportunities. That's where we're concentrating our investment as we build the next phase of Gong cha's growth.”

New Formats And Markets

Gong cha’s 2026 development activity includes a 50-unit agreement in Texas and a three-unit agreement in Southern California. The company is targeting experienced operators that can develop multiple sites within their markets.

The brand is also pursuing sites outside conventional retail storefronts. Recent plans include a first U.S. airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and an expanded university presence at the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of California, Berkeley through its Proud to Serve model.

Michael Nedelkovich Jr., Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development at Gong cha, said:

“We see significant room to grow beyond traditional stores, and we're going after it with a clear view of what works. High traffic gets our attention, but it takes more than that to build a successful location. We're focused on partners who know their markets, formats their teams can execute, and places where Gong cha can become a regular purchase. That's what gives us confidence to scale.”

Operating Model Supports Expansion

The company’s Gong cha 2.0 operating model combines automated beverage preparation, digital ordering, and redesigned stores. Customers can use ordering kiosks to customize drinks, while counter ordering remains available. Automated preparation is intended to give employees more time for customer service and drink handoff.

The operational investments come as coffee and tea concepts increased total sales by 32.5% in 2025, as reported by Franchise Times.

Opportunities For Multi Unit Operators

Gong cha is seeking experienced multi-unit operators for traditional stores as well as airports and universities. Prospective franchisees can review opportunities at gongchausa.com/franchise-opportunities.

The company has ranked No. 1 in the tea category on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for five consecutive years. For operators evaluating beverage concepts, its current expansion effort offers a mix of established retail locations, high-traffic venues, and an operating platform designed for customized orders.