Established
2005
Franchise Units
55
Minimum Investment
$280,600
Franchise Fee
$54,900
Total Investment Range
$493,900
Home Based
No
Description
Chatime is a globally recognized Taiwanese bubble tea brand that has become synonymous with high-quality, customizable beverages. Since its inception in 2005, Chatime has revolutionized the tea-drinking culture, offering a diverse range of drinks that cater to various tastes and preferences. With over 1,420 locations worldwide, including a growing presence in the United States, Chatime offers entrepreneurs an exciting opportunity to invest in a thriving industry.
Why Invest in Chatime?
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Proven Brand Success: Chatime's global presence and strong brand recognition ensure a steady customer base and consistent demand.
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Innovative Offerings: The brand's commitment to innovation keeps its menu fresh and appealing, attracting a diverse clientele.
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Comprehensive Support: Chatime provides extensive training and ongoing support to franchisees, ensuring operational excellence and business growth.
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Scalable Business Model: The franchise model is designed for scalability, allowing for expansion into multiple locations over time.
Background
Chatime is a food service brand specializing in gourmet coffees and teas, tea-based beverages, bubble tea, compatible food products, coffee and tea makers, along with related supplies, accessories, and gifts. The word “cha” means tea, so the name Chatime can be loosely interpreted as “teatime.” However, with a presence in more than 1,000 locations worldwide, the brand has grown into much more than its name suggests.
Founded in Taiwan in 2005, Chatime has expanded rapidly across international markets including Taiwan, Malaysia, China, India, Macau, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Dubai, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and the United States. Its strong global footprint has positioned the company as one of the largest bubble tea franchises in the world.
Chatime is also a publicly traded company, and in 2019 its parent company La Kaffa experienced a quadrupling of stock value. As a leading beverage brand, Chatime’s mission is to become the most loved and accessible drink company worldwide while helping transform tea-drinking culture in the United States.
First Unit Franchised – 2023
Total Franchise Partners – 31
Total Locations Sold – 55
Total Locaitons Open – 18
Total Franchised Locations Open – 16
Total Corporate / Affiliated Locations Open – 2
Total States with Open Locations – 10
Total Global Locations Open – 1,420+ AUS / CAN / TW
Effective States – CA, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, ND, NY, RI, SD, VA, WI and ALL Business Opportunity, Filing & FTC States
Pending States – HI, WA
Deferral States – MD, ND
Not Registering – None
Support Training
Support Details
- Financial Assistance Provided – No, but happy to assist Franchisees in any possible way.
- Site Selection Assistance – Yes
- Lease Negotiation Assistance – Yes
- Recruiting Assistance – Yes
- Cooperative Advertising – Yes
- Training – Yes
Initial Training Program
Includes 3 Weeks of On-the-Job Training & On-Site Opening Support, covering:
- Tea knowledge & expertise
- Drink preparation & procedure
- Store management
- People management
- Equipment operations & maintenance
- Inventory management & ordering
Ideal Candidate
Chatime looks for partners who are "shakers," not just investors. The ideal candidate typically possesses:
The "Hustle" Mentality: While semi-absentee ownership is possible, the brand thrives with owner-operators who are passionate about community engagement.
Business Acumen: Previous experience in retail, sales, or hospitality management is highly preferred to manage a young, dynamic team.
Location Preference: A focus on urban centers, shopping malls, or high-density residential areas with a significant student or young professional population.
Financial Detail
Investment Details
- Total Investment – $280,600 - $493,900
- Minimum Liquidity – $150,000
- Minimum Net Worth – $300,000
Fees
- Franchise Fee – $54,900
- Royalty – 5% of Gross Sales
- Ad – 2% of Gross Sales
Ownership & Operations
- Average Number of Employees – 5
- Visa Candidates – Yes
- Passive Ownership – Yes
- Home-Based – No
- B2B – No
- Master Franchise Opportunities – No
- Veteran Discount – Yes