Gong cha Outpaces Franchise Rivals With 8.8% Global Sales Growth

The company, which operates nearly 2,200 locations across 33 markets, is leveraging its "Gong cha 2.0" operating model to sustain this momentum. By integrating automated beverage preparation, digital ordering kiosks, and refined store layouts, the brand aims to maintain consistency while scaling rapidly. These operational upgrades are central to the company’s objective of surpassing 500 stores in the Americas by 2028.

Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas, emphasized that long-term success relies on balancing guest loyalty with franchisee profitability. The expansion strategy now aggressively targets high-traffic, non-traditional venues. Recent milestones include the brand’s first U.S. airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor and new "Proud to Serve" outlets at the University of California campuses in San Francisco and Berkeley. These moves are supported by significant multi-unit development agreements, such as a 50-unit deal in Texas, signaling a shift toward operators capable of managing large-scale, multi-site portfolios. As coffee and tea concepts continue to gain traction—with industry sales rising 32.5% in 2025—Gong cha is positioning its standardized, tech-forward format as a primary vehicle for further market capture.