Established
2003
Franchise Units
95
Minimum Investment
$466,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$597,000
Home Based
No
Description
Stepping into the vibrant world of made-for-social-media beverages and the booming bubble-tea phenomenon, the It’s Boba Time franchise offers a compelling platform for the investor or entrepreneur ready to ride the wave of the next major beverage growth category. With a deep menu of smoothies, hot and cold teas, specialty drinks and snack pairings, It’s Boba Time has carved a distinctive niche: not just a basic milk-tea shop, but a full beverage-and-snack destination designed to appeal across demographics. From summer-cooling slushes to warm beverages in cooler months, from younger “Instagram-hub” customers to families, the brand is positioned around variety, freshness and a fun, modern store experience. For a savvy franchise buyer, this is a chance to enter the bubble-tea segment under a proven banner with national footprint, strong identity and multi-format potential.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
1. Rising Consumer Demand
Bubble tea remains one of the fastest-growing beverage categories in the U.S., especially among Gen Z and young adults. It’s Boba Time leverages this trend with a broader menu than most competitors, which helps defeat seasonality.
2. Multi-Format Store Options
The franchise supports both traditional storefronts and smaller non-traditional kiosk formats. This flexibility gives franchisees more control over investment size and site selection.
3. Established Brand With Room to Grow
With nearly 100 units across the country and many more developing in new states, the brand is well-known but still in an expansion phase—making it a strong entry point for new investors.
4. Strong Franchisor Support
From initial training to long-term operations coaching, franchisees receive all the tools needed to launch and scale successfully.
5. High-Margin Beverage Model
Beverage-focused concepts typically enjoy favourable cost structures, and the diversity of drink categories (teas, smoothies, slushes, seasonal drinks) helps maximize average ticket size.
Background
Established: 2003
Founded By: Eunice Pak
Initial Corporate Formation: 2011 (later renamed to Boba Time, Inc. in 2012)
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Franchise Units: Approximately 95+ units in the USA, with more in development
Industry Category: Bubble tea, smoothies, specialty beverages, snacks
Brand Journey:
It’s Boba Time began as a neighbourhood beverage shop in Los Angeles and quickly evolved into one of the most recognized West Coast bubble-tea brands. Over time, the brand expanded its menu to more than 140 drink varieties and added snack and dessert items to broaden its market base. Today, It’s Boba Time continues to grow into new states while maintaining a modern, community-friendly brand identity.
Support Training
It’s Boba Time offers a fully structured support ecosystem:
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection assistance
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Lease negotiation guidance
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Store layout, design and construction support
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Equipment specification and vendor setup
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Pre-opening marketing planning
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12–16 week store build-out guidance
Initial Training Program
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Approx. 60 hours of hands-on and classroom training
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Drink preparation and quality-control training
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POS system, inventory and supply-chain training
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Hiring, scheduling and store-management guidance
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Grand-opening support
Operational Support
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Regular operational check-ins and performance benchmarking
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On-site visits and store audits
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Menu updates and seasonal product rollouts
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Supply-chain coordination with approved vendors
Marketing Support
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National brand marketing
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Local store marketing guidance
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Digital and social media best practices
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Access to promotional assets, templates and campaigns
Growth & Multi-Unit Support
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Additional training for operators managing 2–4 units
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Strategic planning for territory development
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Continuous operational coaching and financial review
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for an It’s Boba Time franchise typically includes:
Entrepreneurial Mindset:
Someone eager to run a hands-on, customer-focused business with a willingness to follow a proven operational system.
Customer-Service Focus:
A passion for hospitality, guest experience and building a strong community presence.
Financial Capacity:
Franchisees should have strong liquidity, typically around $400K in liquid capital, and the ability to meet the total investment threshold.
Operational Commitment:
Owner-operators are preferred, especially during the first years. Franchisees must be ready to recruit, train and oversee a cohesive store team.
Growth Ambition:
Ideal candidates are interested in eventually expanding into multi-unit ownership, aligning with the brand’s development goals.
Location Strategy:
Investors with an eye for high-traffic retail corridors, malls, lifestyle centres or urban walk-through areas perform best.
Financial Detail
Franchise Fee:
$40,000
Estimated Total Investment:
Ranges typically between $466,000 to $597,000 for a full store.
Lower-cost formats may reduce this range to roughly $289,000 to $437,000 depending on size and region.
Royalty Fee:
5% of gross sales
Marketing/Brand Fund Fee:
2% of gross sales
Working Capital Needed:
Approx. $10,000–$20,000 for the first 3 months, depending on labour, rent and inventory levels.
Break-Even Timeline:
Generally 2–4 years depending on sales volume, location quality, labour cost, rent and operational efficiency.
Contract Term:
10-year franchise agreement
Two optional 5-year renewals
Potential Revenue Streams:
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Bubble tea and milk tea drinks
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Smoothies and slushes
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Hot beverages
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Snacks and desserts
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Delivery & take-out
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Catering (events, offices, parties)
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Merchandise and branded items
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Seasonal limited-time offers