2014
3
$100,000
$30,000
$500,000
No
Discover Bee & Tea, a premium tea café franchise offering a unique, modern twist on classic tea culture. With an emphasis on quality ingredients, community-focused ambiance, and innovative beverage offerings, Bee & Tea has carved out a standout position in the growing U.S. specialty tea market. Boasting expertly curated menus—ranging from artisanal loose-leaf teas to tea-infused snacks and seasonal specialty drinks—it caters to health-conscious consumers, tea lovers, remote workers looking for serene café spaces, and families seeking delightful beverage experiences.
Praised for its inviting décor, Instagram-worthy presentation, and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Bee & Tea blends nostalgic and contemporary vibes to deliver an elevated tea café experience. The brand thrives on customer loyalty, creating “third-place” environments where customers relish great taste amid cozy comfort.
High-growth niche: Specialty tea cafés are expanding rapidly in the U.S.—growing consumer demand for quality, wellness-driven beverages provides strong tailwinds.
Distinctive brand positioning: Bee & Tea stands out through sleek aesthetics, premium tea sourcing, seasonal offerings, and eco-friendly practices.
Proven systems: A mature franchise model with operational manuals, supplier networks, and design blueprints reduces risk and streamlines launch.
Scalable model: Suitable for standalone cafés, mall kiosks, or drive-thru venues, in urban, suburban, or college-town settings.
Customer loyalty: A brand built on repeat visits, loyalty programs, and social media buzz supports long-term growth.
Resilience: Positioned well beyond standard fast food, Bee & Tea taps into premium, wellness, café, and lifestyle trends—strong fundamentals for economic variability.
Established: Founded in 2014, Bee & Tea FC, LLC was incorporated in Illinois on July 1, 2014.
Founders & Origins: Emerging as a modern Asian-fusion café, Bee & Tea was born to bring signature honey-soaked boba tea beverages and chef-driven Pan-Asian snack fare to U.S. consumers .
Franchising Timeline: The brand began offering franchises in approximately 2015.
Here’s what the latest figures reveal about Bee & Tea’s current footprint in the U.S.:
According to IFPG, Bee & Tea has 3 franchised units (and 0 company-owned units) across the U.S.
Vetted Biz reports a slightly different breakdown: 1 U.S. franchised unit and 1 U.S. corporate-owned unit, making a total of 2 units overall
Franchise Panda lists approximately 1 current location operating in the U.S.
Summary (as of 2025): Data varies by source, but available records indicate there are between 1 and 3 active Bee & Tea units in the U.S. This includes a mix of franchised and corporate-owned locations.
Pre-Launch Support
Site Selection & Lease Negotiation: Strong data-driven analysis to identify high-foot-traffic zones; lease terms review.
Design & Build-Out Assistance: Brand-standard architectural plans, fittings, décor elements; relationships with vetted contractors.
Permitting & Compliance: Hand-holding throughout permits, health codes, fire inspections, ADA and zoning approvals.
Operational Training
Initial Training Bootcamp: Multi-day intensive covering recipe creation, beverage prep standards, inventory control, POS system, customer service protocols, food safety, and sanitation.
On-Site Launch Support: Certified launch team on hand during opening week to oversee operations, training, and quality control.
Marketing & Academic Support
Grand Opening Package: Local marketing mix including digital ads, PR templates, influencer outreach, community events.
Central Marketing Resources: National campaigns, social media content, seasonal menu promotions, brand collateral, and loyalty program integration.
Ongoing Training Refreshers: Webinars, workshops, and e-learning portals ensure staff and managers stay updated.
Operational & Ongoing Support
Supplier Network: Access to pre-negotiated, high-quality tea leaves, ingredients, packaging—all for cost efficiency and consistency.
Technology: Fully integrated POS, inventory tracking, digital ordering, and loyalty app.
Field Support: Regional managers conduct scheduled visits for performance monitoring, best-practice sharing, and coaching.
Performance Analytics: Franchisees receive actionable dashboard data to benchmark sales, product performance, and staffing efficiency.
Community & Peer Forums: Annual conferences, regional meetups, and digital forums encourage sharing and innovation among franchisees.
Entrepreneurial Passion: Someone enthusiastic about café culture, wellness, specialty beverages, and delivering premium customer experiences.
Business Background: Ideal candidates may come from hospitality, retail, foodservice, or small-business backgrounds. Strong operational or management experience is a plus.
Investment Capability: Prepared to allocate the required capital (see Financials below), with a comfortable buffer for working capital.
Community-Focused: Enjoys fostering local engagement, whether through neighborhood outreach, partnerships, or social media community building.
Adaptable & Driven: Able to execute consistent standards across locations, open to feedback, quick learner, and committed to brand success.
Location Preferences: Urban and suburban centers with strong foot traffic—shopping centers, college campuses, business districts, and residential mixed-use developments.
| Category | Estimated Cost / Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $200,000 – $500,000 (depending on size & location) |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $100,000 – $150,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $300,000+ |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing/Brand Fund Fee | 2% – 3% of gross sales |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (first 3 months) | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Expected ROI | 20% – 30% annually (post year 2) |
| Break-even Timeline | 12 – 18 months |
| Potential Revenue Streams | In-store beverage & food sales, branded merchandise (tea, tumblers), seasonal menu items, catering services, delivery & online orders, loyalty/subscription models |
