bubble milk tea business plan

Bubble Tea Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Bubble Tea Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Bubble Tea business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Bubble Tea businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Bubble Tea business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is a startup bubble tea shop located in Omaha, Nebraska. The company is founded by two friends, Chu Lin and Dave Zhu. Together they have over thirty years of experience in the food and beverage industries, from creating recipes and serving customers, to importing and exporting produce and desserts. They are highly skilled in restaurant management, creation of menu items, service to customers and are known for their integrity and leadership skills. They own two restaurants together in Omaha. With their extensive network of clients and connections, Chu Lin and Dave Zhu have decided to bring the famous bubble tea of Taiwan to Omaha, Nebraska.

Product Offering

The following are the products and services that the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will provide:

• Custom bubble/boba ball tea beverages
• Traditional and custom tea beverages
• Blended ice cream or cream beverages
• Frozen fruitsicles and ice pops
• Imported desserts
• Customer dining area

Customer Focus

The Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will target customers who like to try new flavors and frozen desserts within the population of Omaha. In particular, the primary target will be young adults and teens, who are known to be most open to new foods and flavors. Secondary targets will include those who enjoy ice cream or fruit-based blended beverages. In addition, imported desserts will be offered to all. The Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will bring the best industry practices to their target audience, while delivering premium service and garnering high-yield profitability.

Management Team

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will be owned and operated by Chu Lin and Dave Zhu. Together, they have over thirty years of restaurant experience, including establishing key food distribution channels in Taiwan and the U.S. They own three restaurants in Taipei, Taiwan and two restaurants in Omaha. Chu Lin and Dave Zhu have been lifelong friends who will be responsible for different areas of management in the business.

Success Factors

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified partnership of successful restaurateurs.
• Unique natural ingredients and exciting new flavors are introduced to the target audience.
• Exotic menu ingredients, boba balls, bring new textures to beverages.
• Superior customer service, with friendly and well-trained team members.
• Maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness in all food preparation, use of equipment and the general premises of the business.

Financial Highlights

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its tea bar business. The funding will be primarily for building out the tea bar property location, purchasing blenders and food appliances, equipment for food preparation, indoor furnishing, computers and office supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, lease payments, and marketing costs for advertising and social media marketing.

The breakdown of funding is as follows:

• Building location build-out: $20,000
• Food equipment, appliances, computers: $10,000
• Overhead expenses: payroll, lease, utilities (3-months): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar.

Company Overview

Who is goldenberry bubble tea bar.

The Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is a newly established bubble tea beverage business in Omaha, Nebraska that specializes in unique beverages first discovered in the night markets of Taiwan. Partners Chu Lin and Dave Zhu, own five restaurants together and bring a highly-experienced cadre of leadership skills to build relevant profitability levels for investors. The unique value propositions of Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar are the distinctive flavor profiles and exotic presentations of teas, ice cream, fruit beverages, and imported desserts to this experience. These offerings will appeal primarily to young adults and teens, due to the unique properties of the beverages, with the secondary targets of all ages, who will be attracted to the ice cream and fresh fruit offerings. There will also be a small dining area for customers.

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar Management History

The Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar business consists of two experienced restaurateurs with distinctive areas of expertise:

Chu Lin is a restaurant owner who created bubble tea recipes while living in Taipei. With his childhood friend, Dave Zhu, a highly-experienced distributor in food import/export channels, their first investor group was formed to build two additional restaurants in Taiwan. Those investors earned twenty-eight percent on their investment within a four-year plan. Chu Lin and Dave Zhu then emigrated to the U.S., became citizens in 2005, and formed a legal partnership with 51/49 percent ownership shares. They purchased two additional restaurants in Omaha with investor support. Within a six year plan, investors earned twenty-four percent on their initial investments. The partners are experienced in leadership skills, client relationships, business development and general management. With the five restaurants currently providing long-term growth and success, Chu Lin and Dave Zhu want to bring the tastes of Taiwan to Omaha.

Since incorporation, Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar, a legal partnership, to transact business in the state of Nebraska.
• Holds two long-term, set-pricing contracts with import firms.
• Has hired the office manager for the business.
• Has secured the business location and built it out within budget and on time.
• Has hired and is training three part-time employees.

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar Products and Services

The following will be the products and services Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will provide:

Industry Analysis

• The bubble tea beverage industry in the U.S. is expected to grow over the next five years to $3 billion in revenue.
• Increasing numbers of coffee and tea drinkers have propelled the bubble tea business into popularity, particularly on the east and west coasts of the U.S.
• The wide variety of bubble tea beverages has strengthened the demand, due to an increasing number of beverage combinations and availability of fresh ingredients.
• Industry reports suggest bubble tea will continue to grow in popularity due to younger generations who prefer beverages sweetened naturally, including fresh fruit blends, and they also prefer cold beverages over dairy options, such as milk.
• Bubble tea is quickly growing in popularity and remains a sought-after beverage, which indicates a growing interest and rising opportunity for profitability within this industry sector.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will target those individuals who are seeking new flavor profiles and unique textures within the beverage sector. These individuals will be, according to industry statistics, primarily young adults and teens, who are early adopters within these sectors, followed by all ages who enjoy cold or frozen beverages and ice cream beverages. Within the Omaha region, there are few direct competitors and one indirect competitor, none of whom have the depth of varieties of bubble tea on offer, and none who have the extensive menu of ice cream and fruit beverages blends.

The precise demographics for Omaha, Nebraska are:

Customer Segmentation

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Young adults and teens who want new flavor profiles and unique textures
• All ages who want frozen, blended beverages with tea or coffee
• All ages who want beverages with cream or milk
• All ages who want imported dessert specialties from Taiwan

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

There are currently two direct competitors and one indirect competitor for the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar in the city of Omaha, Nebraska. This creates a unique opportunity for this business as one of the first providers of this beverage product line.

Bergen’s Grocery & Deli Mart

This direct competitor is a mid-sized, local grocery store with an attached delicatessen and dessert shop. Situated in the city of Omaha, Nebraska, the grocery store is located ten miles from the location of the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar business. The grocery store sells ingredients that can be used to create bubble tea if the recipes were provided. The tapioca balls, known as bubbles or boba, are available at the dessert shop, and bubble tea is offered in three flavors. In addition, ice cream, ice pops and other items in the grocery store are alternatives to the offerings of the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar. The competitive advantage of the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is found in the fresh ingredients of beverages, the customized recipes, and the boba balls that are offered. The dessert shop has an assortment of cookies, donuts, and cakes available; none are imported from Taiwan and none are identifiable as “specialties.” The owners of Bergen’s Grocery & Deli Mart, Dale Bergen and Marie Bergen, are the founders of the business who formed a C corporation at the time of incorporation.

The Wild Horse Coffee House

This coffee house, positioned seven miles from the location of the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar, is a direct competitor with a space that seats approximately twenty individuals. Bubble tea in three flavors is served, along with a variety of in-house roasted bean varieties of coffee. The wide selection of coffees lends itself to coffee beverages, however, none are cold or frozen and none include ice cream, cream, or are prepared with distinctive recipes. There are no desserts or specialties offered. Teas and tea beverages are offered at this location, along with wine and beer in a bar area. The legal entity formed for this business is a C corporation consisting of three equal shareholders; Denise Martine, Janell Martine, and Bruce Martine.

Mama Bear Coffee Shop

The Mama Bear Coffee Shop is an indirect competitor, although there is a service counter and a dining area offered, as does the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar. It is located seventeen miles from the location of the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar. Freshly-blended ingredients are not offered, although ice cream milkshakes are offered and blended on-site. No fruit juice blends or cream and tea beverages are available. No bubble teas are offered and tapioca balls are not available. Desserts include slices of pie, cake, and cookies. This business was founded by the owner, Jean Louise Tate, who formed a sole proprietorship in 1990.

Competitive Advantage

• Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar has very few direct competitors at this time. Two direct competitors are within the Omaha area, however neither serves more than three options for bubble tea and no other fresh fruit or frozen beverages are offered. Because of this, there is a significant competitive advantage over any competitors.
• Exceptional bubble tea beverages in a wide variety of flavors are made with fresh ingredients and offered at reasonable prices.
• The dessert specialties sold through the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar are imported and not found in most businesses within the U.S. and, as such, constitute another unique offering of this business.
• The friendly and helpful staff members at the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar bring a warm environment to the business, as they help customers make informed choices of exciting and unique beverages.
• The partners bring vast experience, individual strengths and a successful capital raising background into the business.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• As one of very few providers of bubble tea in Omaha, Nebraska, the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is in the enviable position of offering a unique value proposition by introducing the tea with tapioca bubble (or boba) balls in several flavors to the geographic area.
• The partners of this business bring vast relevant experience in capital raising, key areas of management, business development, recipe creation, restaurant experience and import/export channel contracting.
• The business includes an area for customers to sit and relax after making a purchase at the counter, which encourages conversation and community interaction.
• Pricing for all beverages and desserts is moderate and reasonable; there are no beverages over the five-dollar price point.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is as follows:

Social Media Campaign

With the primary demographic target of younger adults and teens during the first phases of the business, the promotion will focus on posts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Product images, photos and graphics will announce the launch of the business. The use of engaging or humorous video reels will also be employed to bring the bubble tea to the attention of potential clientele. A social media marketing manager will provide part-time services for three months.

Website – SEO Marketing

A website developer and designer will construct the website, which will be attractive to all target audience sectors and will conform to the brand identity and messaging across all platforms. Working with the social media marketing manager, SEO marketing will be utilized to bring messages of the launch, announce the purpose of the business, and reveal plans of the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar. Images and graphics directed to the demographic target audiences will be included. Menu items and product descriptions will be included. Launch Day discounts will be offered.

Print Advertising

In a ten-mile radius around the business location, flyers designed to fit the same configurations and the website and social media campaign will be distributed to homes, places of business and community centers with announcements and discounts for purchases. This will position the launch as an event with a purpose to the general public and cater to the residents who will optimally become regular repeat customers.

As a new beverage product line, previously unknown to most consumers, introductory pricing will be reasonable and moderate, on par with the direct competitors within the region. Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar has two direct competitors; to overcome their offers and entice first-time buyers, the introductory pricing for beverages will be discounted for the first month of business in operation.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar. Operation Functions:

• Chu Lin and Dave Zhu will share the legal partnership of the company with 51/49 percent ownership shares. They will conduct day-to-day operations, oversee all staff and manage vendors, product suppliers.
• Chu Lin and Dave Zhu will seek investor funding to open two additional locations; offering advantageous returns for early investors.
• Chu Lin will develop new recipes and continue expanding the product line of offerings.
• Dave Zhu will oversee imports, product supply and will lead capital-raising efforts.
• Kayla Blackburn, in the role of office manager, will oversee day-to-day operations.

Additional staff include:

• Mia Lorenz – Human resources coordinator who will onboard and train employees.
• Kevin Glick – Maintenance supervisor who will oversee cleaning and upkeep of facilities and grounds.

Milestones:

Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will have the following milestones complete in the next four months:

• 4/1/XX – Finalize contract for lease and equip for business
• 4/15/XX – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar
• 5/1/XX – Marketing campaigns on social media begin; website development begins
• 5/10/XX – Final beverage testing and employee training
• 5/15/XX – Launch of business; location opened

The Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will be owned and operated by Chu Lin and Dave Zhu, in a legal partnership.

The company is founded by two friends, Chu Lin and Dave Zhu. Together they have over thirty years of experience in the food and beverage industries, from creating recipes and serving customers, to importing and exporting produce and desserts. They are highly skilled in restaurant management, creation of menu items, service to customers and are known for their integrity and leadership skills. They own three restaurants together in Taipei and they own two restaurants together in Omaha. With their extensive network of clients and connections, Chu Lin and Dave Zhu have decided to bring the famous bubble tea of Taiwan to Omaha, Nebraska.

Additional key employees include:

• Kayla Blackburn – in the role of office manager, who will oversee day-to-day operations.
• Mia Lorenz – the human resources coordinator, who will onboard and train employees
• Kevin Glick – the maintenance supervisor of cleaning and upkeep of facilities

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar are the monies that will be charged to the customers of the food offerings sold in the tea bar, including all beverages and dessert specialities. Competitors, either direct or indirect, may charge up to twenty-five percent more for offerings while the Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar will charge a reasonable, moderate price below that of any competitor.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff the tea bar and pay for inventory food items. The expenses will be the payroll cost, lease payments, utilities, office supplies, and marketing costs.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

The Goldenberry Bubble Tea Bar is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its bubble tea bar business. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the location and purchasing the furnishings, equipment and food inventory to conduct business. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include: payroll of the staff, lease payments, food inventory, and marketing costs for the campaigns. The breakdown of funding is as follows:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan:

• Number of customers served per month: 1,200
• Revenue per average sale: $14
• Revenue per month: $16,800.
• Lease per Year: $42,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, bubble tea bar business plan faqs, what is a bubble tea business plan.

A bubble tea business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your bubble tea business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Bubble Tea business plan using our Bubble Tea Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Bubble Tea Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of bubble tea businesses , some examples include: Mobile Bubble Tea Business, Bubble TeaHouse, and Bubble Tea Bar.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Bubble Tea Business Plan?

Bubble Tea businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Bubble Tea Business?

Starting a bubble tea business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Bubble Tea Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed bubble tea business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your bubble tea business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your bubble tea business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Bubble Tea Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your bubble tea business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your bubble tea business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Bubble Tea Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your bubble tea business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your bubble tea business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

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Bubble Tea Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Bubble Tea Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on March 31, 2022 Updated on May 7, 2024

Investment range

$21,550 - $45,100

Revenue potential

$220,000 - $1,100,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 months

Profit potential

$44,000 - $220,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Bubble tea is the latest hot trend in US soft drinks, although it’s been popular in Asia for ages. Also known as boba tea, bubble tea is a tea-based drink with milk and other flavors, and chewy tapioca pearls. Most bubble tea bases are black tea, green tea, or oolong tea. The market is booming and expected to grow to nearly $5.5 billion by 2032. You could join the craze and get a share of that market by starting your own bubble tea business.

But before you jump in, you need to brew up some business knowledge. Fortunately, you’ll find all the business insights you need in this step-by-step guide, designed to put you on a path to bubble tea success.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a bubble tea business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

• Trending market — Demand for bubble tea is growing rapidly
• Ingenuity — Create your own unique flavors
• Easy entry — You might buy a Kung Fu Tea or Gong Cha Tea franchise to get started
• High startup costs — Opening a bubble tea shop costs $$$
• Crowded market — Bubble tea shops are popping up everywhere

Bubble Tea Industry Trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth — The global bubble tea market was worth $3 billion in 2022.
• Growth forecast — The global bubble tea market is projected to expand by 6.3% annually by 2032, reaching $5.4 billion.(( https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/bubble-tea-market ))

Trends and Challenges

• Increased health consciousness is driving demand for bubble tea, as it is thought to have many health benefits.
• Bubble tea is extremely popular with millennials and Gen Zers. A 2021 survey showed that 94% of those aged 20–29 had purchased it in the past month.(( https://foodinstitute.com/focus/survey-millennials-gen-z-big-fans-of-bubble-tea/ ))
• The growing prevalence of bubble tea shops is making the market very competitive.
• Rising prices for ingredients are cutting into the profit margins of bubble tea businesses.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Bubble Tea Business?

Startup costs for a bubble tea business range from $21,000 to $45,000. Costs include a shop space rental deposit, space preparation, equipment, and ingredients. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your bubble tea business, including: 

• Bubble tea machines
• Automatic tea brewers
• Automatic tapioca pearl makers
• Automatic tapioca pearl cookers
• Refrigerator
• Sealing film

How Much Can You Earn From a Bubble Tea Business?

The average price for bubble tea is $6. Your profit margin after rent, overhead, labor, and ingredients will be about 20%.

In your first year or two, you could sell 100 bubble teas per day, bringing in $220,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $44,000 in profit, assuming that 20% margin. As your brand gains recognition and your shop grows in popularity, sales could climb to 500 teas per day. With an annual revenue of $1,100,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $220,000.

What Barriers to Entry Are There?

There are a few barriers to entry for a bubble tea business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The startup costs of opening a shop
• Coming up with unique flavors that draw customers

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a bubble tea business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an Opportunity

Research bubble tea businesses in your area to examine their products, price points, and what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a bubble tea shop that uses popping boba or a bubble tea shop that also offers snacks.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as green tea-based bubble tea or dessert-flavored boba tea.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine Your Menu and Bubble Tea Flavors

When creating your menu for bubble tea flavors, consider including a variety of options such as classic milk tea, fruit-flavored teas, and unique combinations like matcha or taro.

Additionally, incorporating a selection of snacks or light meals like dumplings, spring rolls, or sandwiches can provide a more comprehensive experience for your customers.

How Much Should You Charge for Bubble Tea?

The average price of a bubble tea is $6. Your ongoing expenses will be for rent, overhead, labor, and ingredients. You should aim for a profit margin of about 20%.

Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your markup and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify Your Target Market

Your target market will be broad but tend toward a younger demographic. You should market on sites like TikTok and Instagram. 

Where? Choose Your Bubble Tea Location

Selecting the right location for your bubble tea business is essential for its success. Look for a spot in a high-traffic area with a strong youth culture, such as a college campus, a trendy shopping district, or a bustling downtown area.

Consider accessibility and convenience, ensuring that the location has ample foot traffic and is easily reachable by public transportation. By strategically choosing the right location, you can establish a profitable and popular bubble tea business that caters to a wide range of customers and sets you apart from the competition.

You’ll need to rent out a shop space. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

Step 3: Brainstorm a Bubble Tea Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “bubble tea” or “boba tea,” boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for example, “The Bubble Tea Company” over “Matcha Bubble Tea”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Discover over 240 unique bubble tea business name ideas here . If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our bubble tea business name generator. Just type in a few keywords, hit Generate, and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Bubble Tea Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive summary — A brief summary outlining the core elements of the bubble tea business plan, including its mission, goals, and key highlights
• Business overview — An overview of the bubble tea business, detailing its mission, vision, target market, and the unique value it brings to customers
• Product and services — A concise description of the bubble tea products and services offered, highlighting key features and potential variations
• Market analysis — An examination of the bubble tea market, including target demographics, trends, and potential growth opportunities
• Competitive analysis — An evaluation of competitors in the bubble tea industry, outlining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the business
• Sales and marketing — Strategies for promoting and selling bubble tea, encompassing marketing channels, pricing, and sales tactics
• Management team — Introductions and brief bios of the key individuals responsible for managing and operating the bubble tea business
• Operations plan — Detailed information on the day-to-day operations of the bubble tea business, covering suppliers, equipment, location, and logistics
• Financial plan — A comprehensive financial projection for the bubble tea business, including startup costs, revenue forecasts, and profit margins
• Appendix — Additional supporting documents, data, or information that provides further context or details to enhance the overall business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running. 

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose Where to Register Your Company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to bubble tea businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose Your Business Structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your bubble tea business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole proprietorship — The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General partnership — Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corporation — Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corporation — This refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. Either a corporation or an LLC can elect to be an S Corp for tax status. Here, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail/fax. Visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind that, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship, you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund Your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans — This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and a strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans — The Small Business Administration can act as a guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants — A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and family — Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding — Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal — Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a bubble tea business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Bubble Tea Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a bubble tea business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Depending on the requirements in your area, you may need:

• Food service license
• Food handler’s permit
• Building health permit

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your bubble tea business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability — The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business property — Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment breakdown insurance — Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation — Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property — Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto — Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability — Protects against claims from clients who say they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) — This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential Software and Tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats — from marketing to sales to accounting — which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as Restaurant 365 , lightspeed , and toast , to manage your menu, inventory, scheduling, and payments.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , FreshBooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences of filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop Your Website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

However, people are unlikely to find your website unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Vibrant social media showcases — Leverage Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to highlight the unique visual appeal of your bubble tea with engaging images and videos.
• Localized SEO strategies — Optimize your online presence to ensure your bubble tea shop appears prominently in local search results. Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
• Engaging online menus — Feature an interactive, visually appealing menu on your website, detailing each bubble tea flavor with enticing photos.
• Eye-catching branding — Develop a distinctive visual brand identity that resonates across all elements, from store design to packaging.
• Introductory offers — Attract new customers with compelling opening deals such as buy-one-get-one-free or first-time visitor discounts.
• Targeted email campaigns — Cultivate a mailing list to inform customers about new products, promotions, and events.
• Content marketing — Produce engaging blog content exploring bubble tea’s origins, DIY tips, and the latest trends.
• Customer engagement — Promote customer reviews and spotlight favorite customer experiences and creations on social media.
• DIY bubble tea stations — Offer a customizable experience with stations for customers to create their own bubble tea blends.
• Local market participation — Showcase your bubble tea at local markets and festivals to expand reach and enhance community engagement.
• Customer loyalty programs — Implement a loyalty scheme that rewards frequent visitors with discounts or exclusive offers.
• Interactive social media campaigns — Engage customers with interactive content and competitions on social media to increase involvement and loyalty.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Today, customers are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your bubble tea business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your bubble tea business could be:

• Healthy, organic bubble teas in a variety of delicious flavors
• Tasty, thirst-quenching bubble tea delivered to your door
• Healthy boba tea specialists

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain but your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a bubble tea business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in bubble tea for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in bubble tea. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

You will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a bubble tea business include:

• Shop clerks — taking orders, making bubble teas
• General manager — scheduling, ordering, accounting
• Marketing lead — SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Bubble Tea Business — Start Making Money!

Ready to get in on the bubble tea craze? It’s a booming market, so now could be the perfect time to start your bubble tea business. Whether you start from scratch or purchase a bubble tea franchise, you’ll have to make an investment, but you can make good money and have fun! You could become the go-to bubble tea shop in your area. 

Now you have the business expertise, so go ahead and start brewing your way to bubble tea success!

• Bubble Tea Business FAQs

Yes, a bubble tea business can be profitable. The key is to create interesting and unique flavors that will keep customers coming back.

Milk tea is generally the most popular. Other popular flavors include green tea and oolong tea.

Green and black teas are full of antioxidants. You have to be careful about what you put in because adding unhealthy ingredients can take away from the health benefits.

Kung Fu Tea is the largest bubble tea brand in the United States. They have more than 350 locations across the country.

A bubble tea business is really a full-time commitment. If you only have limited hours, you’re limiting your revenue. 

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Bubble Tea Business Name
• Create a Bubble Tea Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund Your Business
• Apply for Bubble Tea Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Bubble Tea Business — Start Making Money!

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How to Write a Bubble Tea Business Plan

Congratulations! You have a new variety or flavor in bubble tea to offer the world. Well, before you start brewing & serving it up, here is a reality check- it takes a lot more than a delicious recipe to make it successful.

Careful planning and forecasts are necessary to evaluate the current positioning of your business. Yes! Here, we are talking about a bubble tea business plan. It will not only serve you as a roadmap but will also help you with funding.

The business plan is like a guidebook that supports the business at every step, from starting to growing. It makes sure that all decisions match the main goals. However, here is our bubble tea business plan guide with various examples to assist you through the business plan writing process. All the best!

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write a Bubble Tea Business Plan?

Writing a bubble tea business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. Here are the things you have to mention in your summary in brief:

• Business introduction
• Mission statement
• Founding information
• Business concept
• Products and services

Target market

• Call to action

For example,

Note: Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business.

Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section. This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

For instance, students, professionals, families, social media enthusiasts, or some local communities can be the target market for the bubble tea business.

Market size and growth potential

Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

For example, the bubble tea market in the U.S. reached $434.11 million in 2022 and is expected to increase from $464.29 million in 2023 to $750.59 million by 2030.

Competitive Analysis

Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your bubble tea business from them. Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market.

Market Trends

Bubble tea’s market is growing in popularity, so to make it successful, you need to work with the changes in the preferences of customers and the trends. So, some of the trends right now are:

• Health-conscious options
• Customization & Variety
• Innovative flavors & ingredients

Regulatory Environment

List regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your bubble tea business, such as food & safety regulations, health department regulations, licensing & permits, zoning regulations, tax regulations, etc.

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your bubble tea business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Sample Menu

One of the most crucial steps in launching your bubble tea business is designing the menu. A well-curated menu will sell itself for your business. Even if you are a new bubble tea business, still present the sample menu with the name and the logo of your business on it.

Not just the list of items, but the pricing is also crucial in the menu. This way potential investors and audiences can understand your business’s target price point.

Consider your menu as a part of branding, choose the same theme for the menu as for the bubble tea business’s logo or interior.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies. For example,

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Sip & Bliss

Sip & Bliss Bubble Tea Haven sets itself apart by offering a unique and artistic bubble tea experience that transcends conventional standards. Our dedication to artisanal craftsmanship ensures that each beverage is a masterpiece, meticulously prepared by skilled artisans who blend premium ingredients with creative flair.

Our menu goes beyond the ordinary, featuring a fusion of classic favorites and locally inspired creations that reflect the vibrancy of Atlanta. What truly distinguishes us is our commitment to being more than a beverage provider; we are a community engagement hub.

Through themed events, collaborations with local artists, and active participation in community initiatives, we create a space where patrons can not only enjoy exceptional bubble tea but also connect, celebrate, and be part of a vibrant community. Sip & Bliss Bubble Tea Haven is where the art of bubble tea meets local culture, creating an immersive experience for our clientele.

Pricing Strategy

Describe your pricing strategy—how you plan to price your offerings and stay competitive in the local market. You can mention any discounts you plan on offering to attract new customers to your bubble tea business.

Marketing Strategies

Discuss your marketing strategies to market your services. You may include some of these marketing strategies in your business plan—social media marketing, brochures, email marketing, content marketing, and print marketing.

Sales Strategies

Outline the strategies you’ll implement to maximize your sales. Your sales strategies may include contests, partnering with other businesses, offering referral programs, etc.

Customer Retention

Describe your customer retention strategies and how you plan to execute them. For instance, introducing loyalty programs, discounts on membership, personalized service, etc.

Overall, this section of your bubble tea business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your bubble tea business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Operational Process

Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your bubble tea business. Your operational processes may include ingredients procurement, beverage preparation, boba preparation, etc.

Include the list of equipment and machinery required for bubble tea, such as tea brewing equipment, blenders, sealing machine, cooking equipment, refrigerator & storage, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your bubble tea business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO

Mention the founders and CEO of your bubble tea business, and describe their roles and responsibilities in successfully running the business.

Key managers

Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities. Also, mention their experience and educational qualifications. For example,

Management team of Sip & Bliss

Chief Operating Officer – Michael Chen

As the COO of Sip & Bliss, Michael Chen plays a crucial role in the day-to-day operations. With a background in business management and a keen eye for efficiency, Michael ensures the smooth functioning of the bubble tea haven. His focus on optimizing processes and maintaining high standards aligns with Sip & Bliss’s commitment to excellence.

Creative Director – Jasmine Rodriguez

Jasmine Rodriguez serves as the Creative Director, infusing artistic flair into Sip & Bliss’s beverage offerings. With a background in culinary arts and a passion for flavor innovation, Jasmine curates the diverse menu, blending classic bubble tea favorites with locally inspired twists. Her creative touch elevates Sip & Bliss as a hub for flavor exploration.

Head Barista – Emily Wong

Emily Wong, the Head Barista, is the maestro behind Sip & Bliss’s handcrafted bubble teas. With extensive knowledge of tea blending and a commitment to quality, Emily ensures that every beverage is a delightful experience. Her expertise in creating visually appealing and flavorful drinks contributes to Sip & Bliss’s reputation for excellence.

Organizational structure

Explain the organizational structure of your management team. Include the reporting line and decision-making hierarchy.

Compensation Plan

Describe your compensation plan for the management and staff. Include their salaries, incentives, and other benefits.

In short, this section should describe the key personnel for your bubble tea business, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement

Describe details such as projected revenue, operational costs, and service costs in your projected profit and loss statement. Make sure to include your business’s expected net profit or loss.

Cash flow statement

The cash flow for the first few years of your operation should be estimated and described in this section. This may include billing invoices, payment receipts, loan payments, and any other cash flow statements.

Balance Sheet

Create a projected balance sheet documenting your bubble tea business’s assets, liabilities, and equity.

Break-even point

Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.

Financing Needs

Calculate costs associated with starting a bubble tea business, and estimate your financing needs and how much capital you need to raise to operate your business. Be specific about your short-term and long-term financing requirements, such as investment capital or loans.

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your bubble tea business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample bubble tea business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful bubble tea plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our bubble tea business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, what is the easiest way to write your bubble tea business plan.

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any bubble tea business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

How do I write a good market analysis for a bubble tea business plan?

Market analysis is one of the key components of your business plan that requires deep research and a thorough understanding of your industry.

We can categorize the process of writing a good market analysis section into the following steps:

• Stating the objective of your market analysis—e.g., investor funding.
• Industry study—market size, growth potential, market trends, etc.
• Identifying target market—based on user behavior and demographics.
• Analyzing direct and indirect competitors.
• Calculating market share—understanding TAM, SAM, and SOM.
• Knowing regulations and restrictions
• Organizing data and writing the first draft.

Writing a marketing analysis section can be overwhelming, but using ChatGPT for market research can make things easier.

How detailed should the financial projections be in my bubble tea business plan?

The level of detail of the financial projections of your bubble tea business may vary considering various business aspects like direct and indirect competition, pricing, and operational efficiency. However, your financial projections must be comprehensive enough to demonstrate a complete view of your financial performance.

Generally, the statements included in a business plan offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.

What key components should a bubble tea business plan include?

The following are the key components your bubble tea business plan must include:

• Executive summary
• Business Overview
• Market Analysis
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Operations plan
• Management team
• Financial plan

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a bubble tea business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your bubble tea business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Bubble Tea Shop Business Plan Template

Mar.21, 2018

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Table of Content

Do you want to start bubble tea shop business?

Starting a bubble tea shop business is very easy and extremely profitable as well. If you don’t know how to open a bubble tea shop, just go through this milk tea business plan template. It will guide you through everything which you need to know for starting this venture. The first thing you should do is to develop a comprehensive plan for your tea room business model . The business plan will not only help you in startup but it will also help you in taking important decisions for your company over the next years. In case you don’t know how to write a good milk tea business plan, we are providing a detailed milk tea business plan template of a bubble tea shop startup ‘Sam’s Stop’ to help you avoid the trouble of making a plan yourself.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Sam’s Stop will be a licensed and ensured tea shop located in Downtown Manhattan. We will be strategically located in the most suitable place for opening a bubble tea shop business plan.

2.2 Management

The business will be solely owned and operated by Sam Kin who is a graduate from Harvard University and is known for his sharp business acumen and exceptional management skills. Sam will hire a small team comprising of chefs, waiters, assistants and cleaners for operating and managing the shop.

2.3 Customers

Our customers will primarily be the residential community living near our shop. We will offer high-quality and healthy tea latte, milk tea, fruit flavored tea, brown sugar milk, macchiato and slush to our esteemed customers.

2.4 Target of the Company

Our primary target is to become the best tea shop in the New York City within next 3 years of our launch. Our secondary target is to achieve the net profit margin of $10k/month by the end of the first year, $15k/month by the second year, and $25k/month by the third year.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Sam is a business graduate of Harvard University. After completing his Bachelor’s, he worked with a couple of fast food restaurants at executive positions. He is known for his sharp business acumen and exceptional management skills.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

The main motive behind Sam starting a bubble tea business plan is his intense passion for tea room business model . Sam has exceptional business skills and this venture is just his first step into the business world. Within next three years he plans to open five more bubble tea spots in different cities, and after that, he will move towards business plans for restaurants . So, this venture is where Sam will enter the corporate sector.

3.3 How the Business will be started

Sams’s Stop will be launched in a 200-square-feet shop located in the main commercial market of Downtown Manhattan. The shop was previously used as a grocery store, so a lot of work needs to be done for turning it into a tea shop. The company’s financial experts have forecasted following costs for the start-up:

Services for customers

It is wiser to plan your services or menu before you think about how to start a milk tea business plan template. You can only plan subsequent things after you know what you will be providing to your customers. Sam’s Stop will offer following products to its customers:

• Milk Tea: Bubble Milk Tea, Brown Sugar Milk Tea, Almond Milk Tea, Hazelnut Milk Tea
• Tea Latte: Black Rose Latte, Oolong Latte Float, Matcha Latte, Tie Guan Yin Latte
• Fruit Flavored Tea: Peach Green Tea, Mango Green Tea, Honey Green Tea, Fresh Lemon Green Tea
• Brown Sugar Milk: Black & Yellow Milk, Black Babo Milk, Red & Yellow Milk
• Macchiato: Rose Tea Macchiato, Jasmine Green Tea Macchiato, Milk Tea Macchiato
• Slush/Milk Shake: Oreo Milk Shake, Mango Slush, Passion Fruit Slush, Ice Cream Shake

Marketing Analysis of bubble tea shop business

The most important component of an effective milk tea business plan is its accurate marketing analysis that’s why Sam acquired the services of marketing experts to help him through this phase. It is only after this stage that a good bubble tea business plan template could have been developed. After identifying the local market trends in Manhattan, the marketing experts and analysts also helped him in developing the bubble tea marketing plan.

5.1 Market Trends

As for a general trend, the market demand for bubble tea businesses is on the rise. Bubble tea is one of the most popular drinks with Americans. The biggest reason behind the popularity of this bubble tea shop business plan template is that people are becoming more health conscious day by day.

As a result, people have started avoiding carbonated drinks and have leaned towards healthy alternatives such as smoothies, slushes, milk and fresh fruit juices. That’s why the number of bubble tea shops has been increasing during the last few years. In short, this industry has a lot of potential and even a small bubble tea shop can yield immense profit provided that you successfully plan it and target your customers.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

Our marketing experts have identified following type of target audience which can become the potential customers of our tea shop.

The detailed marketing segmentation comprising of the company’s target audience is as follows:

Operational and Strategic Planning

5.2.1 working community:.

The first category includes the workers and employees who work in the businesses or offices located in the vicinity of your milk tea business plan template. This group leads a strenuous life, burdened with plenty of work and thousands of matters to think upon. It has been observed that this group often takes soft drinks, especially coffee and bubble tea to take a break from their hectic routine. Our tea shop will be the perfect place for them to rest while on their way home.

5.2.2 Residential Community:

The second group of our target customers will be the community residing in the vicinity of our restaurant. Bubble tea is one of the favorite drinks of American teens so we hope to have a lot of sales due to them. Not only teens, adults and middle-aged people also love smoothies, slushes and fresh tea due to health benefits, that is why we classify this group as our second target group.

5.2.3 Passers-by:

The third category includes those people who do not live or work near our tea room business model but have come to the area for any business purpose or commercial activity. We also hope to attract these passers-by with our economical and delicious smoothies, milkshakes and tea.

5.3 Business Target

Our business targets are as follows:

• To become the best bubble tea shop in Manhattan within next 3 years of our launch
• To recover the initial investment within next 1 year of launch
• To open two more tea shops by the end of the second year and three more shops by the end of the third year

5.4 Product Pricing

After considering the market demands, we have priced all our products in the similar ranges as of our competitors. Our product pricing is as follows:

• Small Serving: $3/serve
• Regular Serving: $4/serve
• Large Serving: $5/serve

OGScapital was great working with.

OGScapital is the company I had recently worked with on business plan development. The assigned project manager was very diligent, hard-working, clearly understood set tasks. The project was done before set deadlines, which was even more pleasant for me. I definitely recommend OGScapital as a team of real professionals.

Sales strategy is also an important component of a bubble tea shop business plan template and hence it must be developed with great care and attention must be paid to every detail.

6.1 Competitive Analysis:

We have a really tough competition because bubble tea shops are nearly everywhere in Manhattan but none of our competitors is offering as much high quality and delicious drinks as ours. Our high-quality, healthy and economical drinks, combined with the unparalleled customer service of our staff will give us an advantage over other tea shops in the region.

6.2 Sales Strategy

We will target our customers by following three ways:

• Conducting seminars, webinars, and workshops in different institutions to emphasize the health benefits of bubble tea and other similar drinks.
• Advertising our tea shop in food magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and social media.
• Offering a 20% discount on all drinks for the first three months of our launch.

6.3 Sales Monthly:

6.4 sales yearly:, 6.5 sales forecast.

Our forecasted sales pattern is given in the following column chart:

Personnel plan

It is highly advisable to prepare a personnel plan before you think about how to start a milk tea business plan templated bubble tea shop since it is one of the biggest contributing factors of the success of any business. The personnel plan of Sam’s Stop is as follows:

7.1 Company Staff

Sam will act as the CEO of the company and will initially hire following people:

• 1 Manager to manage the overall operations
• 1 Cashier to receive cash from the people
• 2 Accountants to maintain financial records
• 4 Sales Executives responsible for marketing and advertising the tea shop
• 10 Chefs for preparing drinks
• 10 Waiters to serve the customers
• 8 Cleaners to clean dishes and other facilities at the tea shop

Financial Plan

The final thing to do before you think about how to open milk tea room business model is to develop a comprehensive financial plan which will cover the detailed costs of startup.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 brake-even analysis, 8.3 projected profit and loss, 8.3.1 profit monthly, 8.3.2 profit yearly, 8.3.3 gross margin monthly, 8.3.4 gross margin yearly, 8.4 projected cash flow.

The following column diagram shows the projected cash flow.

Download Bubble Tea Shop Business Plan in pdf

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How to Start a Bubble Tea Business

In operating a bubble tea business, you’ll bring the Taiwanese drink to the attention of customers in a retail environment. The drink is incredibly popular throughout much of Asia, but still in the introductory stage in America. Here, it’s finding increasing acceptance with a trend-seeking millennial audience, particularly in university settings. Among its many other names, bubble tea is sometimes called boba tea or boba juice, pearl milk, or bobi.

Learn how to start your own Bubble Tea Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a bubble tea business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Bubble Tea Business
• Form your Bubble Tea Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Bubble Tea Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Bubble Tea Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bubble Tea Business
• Get Bubble Tea Business Insurance
• Define your Bubble Tea Business Brand
• Create your Bubble Tea Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your bubble tea business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bubble Tea Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your bubble tea business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a bubble tea business.

Depending on your location, and the product mix involved, you could spend as little as $15,000 or as much as six figures on startup costs. The low cost can involve adding used equipment to a section of an existing store that might sell pastries, cookies, smoothies, coffee, books, gifts and souvenirs, etc. Here’s how your costs might break down.

Rent -- $50,000 a year, or more - Remember, you’ll want to find a location where your audience hangs out. That might be a college campus environment or a similar young and vibrant setting. Rent tends to be pricey in such locations. Do you want a kiosk or a pick-up or sit-down setting? Will you be serving other foods or beverages? All of this will impact your rent.

Equipment -- $10,000 or more - The basics include gas or electric stove, blender, stirrers, shaker cups, sealer machine, refrigerator and ice maker. Most of this equipment can be bought online at sites such as  Boba Tea Direct . Or search online for used equipment.

Ingredients -- $2,000 or more for a starter supply - This includes tea, milk and fruit and flavor powders. You’ll pay additionally for whatever ingredients or supplies are necessary for sale alongside bubble tea, if any.

Logo development, signage and marketing materials -- Up to $10,000 or more - This might include everything from creating your logo to buying store signage and producing business cards, fliers and other sales and marketing literature.

Licensure, certification and liability insurance -- $750 or more, est. - Depending on your location and products sold, you’ll probably have to have a business license and a health permit at the very least. Visit the  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website  to find out the licensing requirements in your state.

Staffing -- $25,000 or more - Initially, this might simply reflect what you -- as your sole employee -- need to take out of the business. You’ll spend less than this if you have a working mate, savings or second source of income. And you’ll spend more as your staffing needs increase.

It’s also possible to buy a bubble tea franchise and get most of your startup needs supplied as a package. However, you could spend well into six figures in franchising fees and costs. You’ll find examples of such opportunities  here  and  here .

What are the ongoing expenses for a bubble tea business?

Once you’ve established your presence, your ongoing costs will include ingredients and store staffing and operational costs. These variable costs will follow and reflect the amount of business you do at your store.

Who is the target market?

Depending on your location, one major segment of your audience is likely to include early adopters. These are people willing to try new products or experiences. Their word of mouth could be very valuable to you. If you’re establishing your business in a location where most prospects will be familiar with bubble tea, your customer base might consist of people who want to judge your tea and overall product mix against the competition.

Regardless of your location, customers will expect a pleasing and relatively low-cost break from their day.

How does a bubble tea business make money?

You’ll make a bubble tea drink for a cost of roughly 75 cents and sell the drink for a few dollars. Depending on your competition and pricing sensitivity, you could make a markup of 350 percent or better on the drink. Additional revenue might be derived from the other foods, drinks, or merchandise you sell.

What do the coffee houses in your geographic location generally charge for premium drinks? This is a good indication of what you might be able to charge It’s likely to be in the range of $3 to $5. Set a price point and see what the response is. And be sure to keep an eye on the pricing of direct (other bubble tea retailers) or indirect (coffee houses, smoothie shops, etc.) competitors.

How much profit can a bubble tea business make?

A 350 percent markup on a beverage is not unreasonable. Gross profit margins in the 75-80 percent range are not rare in the food and beverage retail industry.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Think what else you can make with the same or similar equipment purchased for bubble tea. You might also consider adding smoothies, coffee or ice cream to your menu. Or buy cookies, pastries or other dessert items for resell from nearby vendors. How about adding t-shirts, mugs, posters, music or other merchandise that might appeal to your same customer base? Try additional products for a while and see if they sell. If they don’t, adjust your mix.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your bubble tea business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

There are federal regulations regarding what can and cannot be added to, sold as, and processed with food. Attached is a resource from the Food and Drug Administration detailing the process of starting a food business: How to Start a Food Business

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a bubble tea business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Certificate of Occupancy

A bubble tea business is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a bubble tea business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your bubble tea business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Food Regulations

When selling food, you will need licensing from a local health department; all establishments serving food are required to pass a health inspection. Tips for faring well on a health inspections

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Bubble Tea Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bubble Tea Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a bubble tea business

The product’s novelty can work to your advantage. A certain market segment is always on the search for new products and experiences. Share with local customers and local media this story  of how bubble tea might have been invented. Also, be sure to make free samples available. The drink could be such a novelty in your location that the media will run stories before you open for business.

How to keep customers coming back

Your marketing efforts might be as simple as the distribution of fliers in your marketing area. Begin a Facebook page for bubble tea aficionados, and show the beverage and your store on Instagram. Film a video on YouTube or Vimeo showing how to make bubble tea. Consider serving the drink at city festivals, fairs, and other occasions when you can spread the word. If you do so, be sure to distribute fliers and business cards to invite customers to your primary location.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

If you have retail or food service experience, you might be a natural for this business. You should also have the ability to creatively market a new concept, since many of your prospective customers will be unaware of what bubble tea is. 

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a bubble tea business?

Your typical workday could consist of a range of activities including:

• Taking orders and payments
• Crafting bubble tea drinks for your customers
• Cleaning your business
• Promoting and marketing your business in the community
• Meeting and serving customers and cross-selling other food or non-food items in your store

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful bubble tea business?

You must find a location with ample foot traffic and a young, educated population. It’s also important to find competitively priced ingredient vendors so you can maintain the highest possible margins. You should also have a strong customer service outlook. Your customers will return for you and the atmosphere you provide as much as for the bubble tea you sell.

What is the growth potential for a bubble tea business?

As of this writing, the bubble tea business is still in its youth in America. It’s particularly popular in young-adult setting such as Austin, Texas and parts of California and the Southeast, but it’s unknown in significant portions of the nation. As word gets around on social media, your audience will find you if you’re based in a location where millennials are predominant. College campuses are among the best locations to open a bubble tea business. 

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a bubble tea business?

Get the word out. Especially if your market is relatively unaware of bubble tea. Let people learn what the beverage is, how it’s made, and how great it tastes. Also, try to pair bubble tea with at least one other complementary product. This will help you bring customers in the door and cross-sell.

How and when to build a team

While you’ll probably start as a sole employee or with family and friends, you’ll see the need to hire as soon as you can. The last thing you want is for customers to warn others away because of long lines or order mixups due to understaffed operations. Begin by hiring part-time crew members and addinig hours to meet traffic flow and revenue gain.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Franchise Opportunity With Gong Cha
• Franchise Opportunity With Kung Fu Tea
• Franchise Opportunity With Sharetea
• Franchise Opportunity with Chatime

Real World Examples

• CoCo Tea Ann Arbor
• Atlanta Honey Bubble
• California It's Boba Time

Further Reading

• How to Open a Bubble Tea Shop
• Bubble Tea Supply

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

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• How to Write a Milk Tea Business Plan

By   Yesh Quijano

May 12, 2023

The global milk tea phenomenon has taken the beverage industry by storm, creating a vast market for innovative and delicious milk tea and bubble tea creations.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur eager to ride this wave of opportunity, crafting a well-structured milk tea business plan is the first essential step towards achieving success.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with the necessary tools and insights to build a robust business plan, specifically tailored for the milk tea industry – even if you have no formal writing experience!

From understanding market opportunities and analyzing the industry landscape to identifying your target customers and creating a strong marketing strategy, we will cover all the vital aspects of starting a successful milk tea business.

So, buckle up and get ready to embark on an exciting journey towards turning your milk tea dreams into a thriving reality, backed by a solid plan that will set you apart from the competition.

What’s a business plan?

A business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the objectives, strategies, and financial projections of a business venture. It serves as a roadmap, guiding entrepreneurs through the various stages of starting and growing their businesses.

By detailing the company’s mission, vision, target market, competitive advantages, and operational plan, a business plan provides a structured approach to launching and managing a successful enterprise.

What’s inside a milk tea/bubble tea business plan?

While business plans may vary depending on individual circumstances, it is essential to incorporate the following key sections to create a comprehensive and effective plan:

Executive Summary

• Opportunity
• Team and Company

Financial Plan

The executive summary provides a concise overview of your milk tea business plan, highlighting its key objectives, strategies, and financial projections.

It serves as a snapshot of your entire business plan, capturing the essence of your venture and its unique selling proposition. This section is crucial for grabbing the attention of potential investors, partners, or other stakeholders, as it offers a compelling glimpse into the potential success and profitability of your milk tea shop.

Therefore, ensure that your executive summary is well-crafted, engaging, and clearly communicates the value and vision of your enterprise.

Example Summary:

Boba Bliss is a start-up milk tea business focused on providing high-quality, customizable beverages with an emphasis on customer experience and sustainability. Our mission is to cater to the growing demand for innovative and delicious milk tea creations while promoting environmentally friendly practices. Located in a bustling commercial area, Boba Bliss aims to attract a diverse clientele, ranging from students to working professionals.

Our unique selling proposition lies in our commitment to using premium, locally-sourced ingredients, and offering a variety of healthier options such as sugar-free and vegan alternatives. We will also implement eco-conscious measures, including biodegradable packaging and a recycling program.

The marketing strategy encompasses a strong online presence, utilizing social media platforms and targeted digital advertising to engage with our audience, alongside strategic offline promotional activities. Financial projections indicate that Boba Bliss will achieve profitability within the first two years of operation, with steady growth in revenue and customer base.

Backed by an experienced management team and a well-thought-out operational plan, Boba Bliss is poised to become a leading milk tea destination, offering exceptional products and fostering a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship.

Opportunities

In this section, we delve into the reasons that make your milk tea business a viable and promising venture.

Are you the first milk tea business in your local area to introduce the milk tea experience to an untapped market? Or perhaps you possess a unique selling proposition (e.g., no sugar, vegan options) or background that equips you to excel in the milk tea industry and outshine competitors.

Milk tea, including the popular bubble tea variant, has gained massive popularity in recent years. With its delicious taste and perceived health benefits , this beverage has captured the hearts of people of all ages.

This presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to tap into this growing target market and ride the wave of the milk tea trend.

Industry Analysis

Before diving into your milk tea business, it’s crucial to understand the industry landscape. Research the growth trends and key players in the market, both locally and globally.

Our recent article on business trends in the Philippines provides valuable insights into the current state of the industry and potential opportunities for new entrants.

Customer Analysis

Understanding your target market is essential for creating a successful milk tea business plan. Identify the demographics, preferences, and buying behaviors of your potential customers. Knowing your audience will help you tailor your product offerings and marketing strategies to appeal to their tastes and needs.

Competitive Analysis

A thorough competitive analysis is crucial to ensure your milk tea business stands out from the competition. Assess your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, and identify potential gaps in the market that you can exploit. This will enable you to position your milk tea business effectively and create a unique selling proposition that sets you apart from the rest.

To turn your milk tea business plan into reality, focus on the operational aspects of your venture. This includes selecting the ideal location, sourcing high-quality ingredients, and recruiting skilled staff. An effective supply chain and efficient production processes are also critical to the success of your milk tea business.

Marketing Plan

Promoting your milk tea business is crucial to attract customers and generate sales. Develop a marketing plan that incorporates both online and offline channels, and leverage the power of social media to engage with your target audience.

We recommend reading our articles on social media marketing in the Philippines , marketing strategies in the Philippines , and online advertising in the Philippines for tips on how to maximize your marketing efforts.

Management & Operations Plan

A sound financial plan is the backbone of any successful business venture. Outline your projected expenses, revenues, and cash flow to ensure the long-term viability of your milk tea business. This will help you identify potential financial challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.

Establish a strong quality control system.

This encompasses thorough and consistent monitoring of your ingredients, production processes, and staff performance. By implementing strict quality control measures, you will ensure that your milk tea products consistently meet or exceed customer expectations, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

This focus on quality will also contribute to a positive reputation for your business, setting you apart from competitors and paving the way for long-term success in the competitive milk tea market.

Team and Company Overview

In this section, we provide an overview of the company structure and introduce the key team members responsible for driving the success of your milk tea business. Detailing the experience, expertise, and qualifications of your management team and staff will help build credibility and demonstrate the competence of your organization.

Outline the roles and responsibilities of each team member, emphasizing their unique contributions to the company’s growth and operations.

This may include experts in product development, marketing, finance, and operations, as well as skilled baristas and customer service representatives.

Additionally, provide a brief history of your company, outlining its inception, mission, and vision. Share any noteworthy milestones, achievements, or partnerships that have shaped your business thus far.

This information will help stakeholders, including potential investors and partners, understand the foundation upon which your milk tea business is built and gain confidence in its potential for success.

A comprehensive financial plan is essential for the success of your milk tea s. In this section, we provide tips and examples related to hiring, break-even scenarios, and profitability.

Funding Sources

Securing adequate funding is essential for launching and operating a successful bubble tea business. Explore various sources such as personal savings, loans from family and friends, traditional bank loans, small business grants, crowdfunding platforms, angel investors, and venture capital firms.

Each funding option has its benefits and drawbacks, so it’s crucial to determine the most suitable choice for your business. A compelling bubble tea business plan and a clear financial strategy will be instrumental in attracting the right funding partners.

By researching and leveraging these funding sources, you can secure the necessary capital to bring your bubble tea venture to life.

Your staff is an integral part of your business, and hiring the right people is crucial. Factor in the costs of recruitment, training, and employee benefits.

Budget for full-time and part-time staff, ensuring that your financial plan accounts for different salary levels, overtime pay, and any seasonal fluctuations in staffing needs.

Example: Allocate funds for hiring experienced baristas, with a budget for additional training and development to ensure they stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques. Budget for part-time staff during peak seasons to ensure smooth operations and maintain customer satisfaction.

Break-even Scenarios

Analyze and determine the break-even point for your milk tea shop, which is the point at which your total revenues equal your total costs. This will help you identify how many units you need to sell or the revenue required to cover your costs, providing valuable insight into your pricing and sales strategies.

Example: If your fixed costs are PHP 10,000 per month and your average contribution margin per unit is PHP 2, you will need to sell 5,000 units of milk tea per month to break even.

Profitability

Forecast your profits by estimating your revenues, costs, and expenses over a specific period (usually 3-5 years). This projection will help you identify potential financial challenges and opportunities, allowing you to adjust your strategies accordingly.

Sample Computation

Based on market research, you estimate that your monthly sales will grow by 10% in the first year, reaching a 15% growth rate by the third year. With this in mind, you can calculate your expected revenues and compare them against your projected costs to determine your profitability over time.

The appendix section of your milk tea business plan serves as a repository for any supplementary documents, data, and materials that support the main content of your plan. By including these additional resources, you can provide readers with further insights and validation without cluttering the core sections.

Items that you may include in the appendix are:

• Resumes or CVs of key team members, showcasing their experience and qualifications.
• Market research data or survey results that validate your target market and customer preferences.
• Detailed financial statements , such as cash flow projections, balance sheets, and income statements.
• Licenses, permits, and certifications are required for operating your milk tea business.
• Letters of intent or agreements with suppliers, distributors, or partners.
• Marketing materials , including sample advertisements, brochures, or website mockups.
• Any other relevant documents that support your business plan and enhance its credibility.

Ensure that the appendix is well-organized and properly referenced throughout your bubble tea business plan. By providing this additional information, you can bolster your plan’s credibility and demonstrate a thorough understanding of your milk tea business and its potential for success.

Preparing a business plan for your milk tea business is worth the effort.

In conclusion, crafting a comprehensive milk tea business plan is a critical step in ensuring the success of your venture. By conducting thorough research and analysis, and developing effective execution, marketing, and financial strategies, you can position your milk tea business for long-term success.

Remember, the time and effort invested in creating a solid business plan will pay off as you navigate the exciting world of milk tea and bubble tea entrepreneurship.

About the author 

Yesh Quijano

Yesh Quijano is an entrepreneur and digital marketer who's been in the game for over 11 years. He started several businesses and helped countless others reach new heights. His goal is to make digital marketing for SMEs simple, accessible, and effective. When he's not working, you can find him cuddling with his two cats.

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How to write the business plan for a bubble tea company

Writing a business plan for a bubble tea company can be an intimidating task, especially for those just starting out. But with the right guidance and resources, it doesn't have to be!

This in-depth guide is designed to help entrepreneurs create comprehensive business plans that will give them the best chance of success in this highly competitive industry, regardless of their experience level.

We'll cover why writing a bubble tea business plan is so important, what information you need to include in your plan, how it should be structured and some useful tools that you can use along the way. So let's get started!

On the menu:

Why write a business plan for a bubble tea shop?

What information is needed to create a business plan for a bubble tea company, how do i build a financial forecast for a bubble tea company, the written part of a bubble tea company plan, what tool should i use to write my bubble tea business plan.

There are several reasons to write a bubble tea business plan. Below, we cover some of the most important ones!

To draw up a roadmap

Writing a business plan for a bubble tea company is essential for entrepreneurs to create successful and sustainable businesses.

It helps them identify their goals for the next three to five years, as well as set achievable objectives.

This process is beneficial both for startups and existing companies that have already been in operation for several years.

A good business plan helps you make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources and ensure long-term success.

To track financial performance

It also enables you to regularly compare your financial performance against what was planned in your business plan and adjust accordingly.

Having such a tool also makes forecasting easier, since you will already have an idea of how well the business should be performing in the future.

With this information, you can also better prepare for potential bumps in the road (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) or unexpected opportunities that may arise in the future (like expanding your bubble tea company to new locations).

To raise funding

Whether you are a startup or an existing business, writing a detailed bubble tea shop business plan is essential when seeking financing from a bank.

Banks use the information contained in the plan to assess your ability to repay the loan and decide whether they will extend credit to your business.

Investors will review your plan carefully to assess if their investment can generate an attractive return on investment.

To do so, they will be looking for evidence that your bubble tea business has the potential for healthy growth, profitability and cash flow generation over time.

Now that we have discussed why it is important to create a business plan for a bubble tea company, let's move on to the information needed to create one.

Create your bubble tea business plan online!

Think your bubble tea business could be profitable? Find out how with a business plan!

Writing a bubble tea business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast.

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your plan!

Carrying out market research for a bubble tea company

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a bubble tea company is essential to accurately forecast revenues.

Market research helps you understand industry trends and customer needs, enabling you to make more informed decisions when it comes to pricing, product offerings and marketing strategies.

By gathering data on customers, competitors and the overall market environment, you can also identify any potential risks or opportunities that may arise during your operations.

Additionally, understanding consumer preferences will help you create an attractive product range that meets their demands while remaining competitively priced.

With comprehensive market research in hand, you'll be able to confidently fill out your business plan with realistic sales projections that reflect current conditions in the industry.

Developing the marketing plan for a bubble tea company

To successfully write a business plan for a bubble tea company, it is essential to develop an extensive and well-thought-out marketing plan that outlines the budget for sales and marketing expenses.

This will ensure that the financial forecast is accurate and reflects all necessary costs associated with the business.

This plan should provide an accurate prediction of how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, public relations and other initiatives.

The staffing and equipment needs of a bubble tea shop

It's important to take into account the recruitment plan and necessary investments needed to start and run the bubble tea shop successfully.

Ensuring that preliminary research is conducted for each expense will help create a realistic financial forecast.

Be sure to assess what equipment is needed, how much each cost, and how often it needs to be renewed. And how many staff members are needed to operate the bubble tea shop efficiently, along with the expected costs.

Now that you have all the information needed to create a business plan for a bubble tea company, it's time to move on and tackle the next step: creating a financial forecast.

A financial forecast is used to estimate how much money your bubble tea business will make over time.

This requires looking at key factors such as start-up costs, expenses, revenue projections, and more.

With this in mind, let's take a look at what goes into the financial forecast of your bubble tea company.

The projected P&L statement

A projected P&L statement for a bubble tea company shows how much profit the company might make and how much it is likely to grow in the future.

It helps stakeholders understand how successful the company could be and if it is profitable or loss making.

The projected balance sheet of your bubble tea company

A balance sheet is an essential tool for managing the finances of your bubble tea business, as it helps you to track what your assets are worth and how much debt you owe.

It provides valuable insight into the solvability and liquidity of your business, allowing you to assess whether it can pay its debts as they become due.

By regularly monitoring your balance sheet, you can better manage risks and make sure that your bubble tea shop is sufficiently capitalised.

The projected cash flow statement

A projected cash flow statement (or cash flow forecast) is a document that shows how much cash a bubble tea company expects to generate and spend in the future.

It helps you check if your business will have a strong enough cash position to cover current and upcoming expenses, or if you need additional capital from outside sources.

The initial financing plan

An initial financing plan, also known as a sources and uses table, is a helpful tool which shows how you will finance the creation (or expansion) of your bubble tea shop.

Knowing exactly where the money will go help investors or lenders assess how the risk is split between financiers and the business owners.

Now that you have a better understanding of what goes in the financial forecast of your bubble tea company, it's time to dive into the written part of your business plan.

This section will provide the context and information needed for the reader to assess if the financial forecast is accurate and relevant.

Let’s get started!

The written part of a bubble tea company plan is composed of 7 main sections. Let's have a look at each of them in a bit more detail.

1. The executive summary

Writing an effective executive summary is key to a successful bubble tea business plan. It should provide a clear overview of the company and offer a clear overview of the business, market, key financials and the ask made in the business plan.

This section should be relatively brief but provide enough information for readers to get a good understanding of the business.

The business overview summarises your bubble tea company by outlining the products it offers, who it plans to target, the main shareholders and why they decided to start the venture.

When presenting the market overview, it is essential to explore the total size of your local market, observe any trends that could affect growth and potential customer acquisitions, and understand how your bubble tea business will distinguish itself within this competitive landscape.

The key financials and ask sections will state the expected revenues, profitability metrics and the value of the loan or equity investment requested (if you are writing the business plan to seek financing).

2. The presentation of the company

When writing a presentation of a bubble tea company in the business plan, it is important to focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team.

For structure and ownership, it is important to identify the legal structure of the company and who owns or holds shares in the company.

When writing about location, be sure to clearly define where the business is located and why it is relevant given to the demographics served by the business.

Finally, delve into the management team stating, who will be responsible for the implementation and management of the business plan. Outline each person's qualifications, experience and responsibilities.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of a bubble tea business plan should include detailed descriptions of the flavours and types of bubble teas on offer.

This means detailing the ingredients used, such as the type of milk, flavourings, and toppings available. The reader will want to understand what makes your bubble tea unique from other businesses in this competitive market.

In addition, it is important to provide an overview of any additional offerings or services related to your bubble tea business. For instance, if you offer delivery options or have a loyalty program for customers who purchase multiple drinks over time.

It may also be useful to explain how you intend to keep up with current trends by introducing new flavours and seasonal beverages throughout the year (pumpkin flavour during Halloween for example).

Providing these details helps paint a clear picture for potential investors about what they can expect from your business now and in the future.

4. The market analysis

When presenting the conclusion of your market analysis in a business plan, you should include important information about demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry and any regulations that may apply.

Demographics are essential in order to understand who is likely to be interested in purchasing bubble tea products. Segmenting this demographic can provide further insight into what types of drinks customers prefer and how they like them served.

Additionally, it's important to understand who else is operating in the space – both direct competitors (other bubble tea shops) as well as other businesses offering similar services (coffee shops, tea rooms, etc.) – so that strategies can be developed for gaining an edge over them.

Knowing any existing barriers at entry and applicable regulations will also assist with informing decision-making when it comes to investing in the business.

5. The strategy section

You should include a comprehensive strategy section in your bubble tea business plan when seeking funding from banks or investors.

This section should outline the competitive edge of the business, pricing and marketing strategies, milestones to be achieved, and any risks associated with the venture as well as potential mitigants.

The competitive edge is critical for any bubble tea company looking to secure bank or investor funding. It could include anything from location advantages to unique offerings such as specialised services or products that would set it apart from other competitors in the market.

A clear pricing strategy must also be included which outlines how prices will be determined and structured (you'll probably charge based on the size of the bubble tea cup and the contents inside).

Additionally, it is important to provide a detailed marketing plan which covers all aspects of communication with customers including advertising campaigns, online presence and customer service initiatives.

Finally, key milestones must also be outlined so that both parties are aware of what needs to be achieved within an agreed-upon timeframe along with measures taken against any foreseeable risks and mitigants related.

6. The operations section

The operations section of a bubble tea shop business plan should include all the details necessary to understand and assess the efficiency if the operations of the business. This includes comprehensive information about the staffing team, roles of staff members, and recruitment plan.

It should state how many employees will be needed to support the business, the roles of each staff member, and how they will be recruited.

For example, if the company needs to hire a full-time barista, the business plan should include information about salary requirements, qualifications necessary for the position, and any other recruitment details.

The business plan should also include information about opening hours. This includes when the business will be open, any changes in operating hours based on seasonality, or holiday closures.

Details about key assets and intellectual property that the business needs to operate should also be included in the operations section.

This includes information about any machinery or equipment that the business needs to purchase, software licenses and intellectual property rights.

Finally, the business plan should include a list of suppliers that the bubble tea shop plans to work with. This includes details like supplier information, delivery schedules, and payment terms.

A bubble tea business might choose to use high(er) quality ingredients to improve taste.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

This is where you will present the financial forecast that we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a better understanding of what should be included in the content of your bubble tea business plan, it’s time to look at the tools that can help you create one.

In this section, we will be reviewing the three main solutions for creating a bubble tea business plan:

• Using Word and Excel,
• Hiring a consultant to write the plan,
• And using specialized online business plan software.

Create your bubble tea business plan using Word or Excel

Using Word or Excel to write a business plan for a bubble tea company has both pros and cons.

Whilst using Excel and Word is inexpensive, they can be time-consuming and difficult to use if you don't have much accounting or financial modelling experience.

Additionally, an investor may question the accuracy of a bubble tea financial forecast created in Excel by someone who is not an expert in accounting and finance.

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating a bubble tea business plan for some business owners, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

Hire a consultant to write your bubble tea business plan

Outsourcing a business plan for a bubble tea company to a consultant or accountant is another potential solution.

Consultants are used to writing business plans, and accountants are good at creating financial forecasts without errors.

This means that they will be able to create an effective business plan with accurate financial estimates without much effort.

However, outsourcing a business plan to a consultant or accountant has some drawbacks. Firstly, they may lack the required level of industry expertise to accurately forecast sales of your bubble tea products.

Secondly, hiring consultants or accountants to write a bubble tea company business plan is expensive, and there may be additional unexpected costs if changes need to be made to your forecast later.

Use an online business plan software for your bubble tea business plan

Another alternative is to use online business plan software. There are several advantages to doing so:

• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can be inspired by already-written business plan templates and examples
• You can easily make your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you
• You get a professional document, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily compare your forecast against your accounting data to make sure you are on track to deliver your plan, or make adjustments if needed

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free bysigning up here.

We hope that this article has helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for your bubble tea shop. Do not hesitate to contact us if you still have questions!

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• 6 ways to enhance the profitability of a tea room
• Tips on how to conduct market research for a tea room
• How investors analyse business plans

Know someone in the bubble tea industry? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Bubble Tea Shop Business Plan

Pearl lemon team.

• May 16, 2022

Like any other business, starting a bubble tea business can be tricky. Especially when you’re new to all the things about it. You wouldn’t even know where to start and which steps you need to take on.

That’s why you will always need a comprehensive and sound business plan when you start a business– no matter how small or whatever industry you come in.

You may think, “Nah, I don’t need a business plan. It’ll just waste my time!”. Well, it definitely is time-consuming and needs a lot of brain juice to do, and there’s no arguing with that.

But contrary to what you think, you need a business plan before starting anything.

This plan can help you realise the potential of your business in an orderly fashion. Not to mention, it can also speed up your startup’s growth while mitigating the risks and possible pitfalls you might encounter along the way.

When you have a business plan ready at your side, it can also provide prospective financers, partners, sponsors, suppliers, and customers with a comprehensive insight into what you plan to do with the business. They will see you as a thought leader in the industry that considers every aspect of the business.

They will see that you are dead set on achieving your boba tea shop’s goals to the point of having a plan that lays the roadmap for your success.

What’s In A Bubble Tea Business Plan?

For starters, a business plan can vary depending on the industry and environment of the business you will be working in.

Since our business plan revolves around a bubble tea shop, we need to keep in mind the food & beverage industry alongside the competitors that come with it.

In your business plan, it’s important to consider the following sections;

Executive Summary

Business summary, products & services, marketing analysis.

• Strategy & Implementation

Sales Forecast

Organisational plan, financial analysis, industry analysis.

If you successfully write all of these throughout your bubble tea business plan, you’re guaranteed to have a backbone that no one can contest.

How Do You Write A Bubble Tea Shop Business Plan?

Well, we’ve shown you the skeleton right above– but we’re sure you have questions about what that is and how to even write it.

So don’t worry; this article will help you understand how you will go about writing those sections and what things you should consider.

Shall we start?

Your business plan should make a good first impression, especially regarding new businesses on the block. The executive summary will sum up your milk tea business idea innovatively and creatively. It should be engaging and informative at the same time.

And a friendly tip, although this is your first page of the bubble tea business plan, we recommend you do this last when you already have a good grasp of what you want to happen with your bubble tea shop.

This is what your executive summary should contain:

• Objectives for the First Three Years: This explains what you want to achieve in the first three years of your business. This will be the guiding light on which paths you’d go for your business.
• Mission & Vision: This section would be the guiding pillar for your business. It will illuminate your business code of ethics and the practices you will follow within the business.
• Keys to Success: This part of the executive summary will tell you which factors should be accounted for in the business to succeed.

Your business won’t stand alone– there will always be a general idea behind it and the people who build it. The business summary will show anyone who reads your business plan how the business came about to be what it is. It will also show them who legitimately owns the business.

• Startup Summary: This is where you will show the startup started– the story behind how you began.
• Business Ownership: This section describes who are the owners of the bubble tea business paper.

As the name suggests, you will describe all the products and services your bubble tea business will have. Since it’s a bubble tea business, we’re sure you’ll be listing bubble tea flavours, add-ons, tapioca pearls, sizes of cups, possible snacks, pastries, selections of green tea & black tea, and even juices if you’d like.

Every business needs to learn about its market. You need to know about their needs, wants, and demands. It also shows what your other competitors are doing. To help you do that, you need a market analysis that provides the necessary insights into your prospective customers and market competition. It’s basically market research.

• Market Segmentation: Here, you divide your customers by demographic, geographic, behavioural, or psychographic characteristics . This strategy breaks a target market audience into smaller, more manageable segments.
• Target Market: A target market consists of a group of customers who have similar needs for your products and services and have the ability and willingness to purchase your products. In your case, the people who want to buy bubble tea .

Strategy Implementation

In strategy implementation, plans are turned into actions to accomplish goals. Getting stuff done is what it is all about. Organisations succeed when they can effectively execute key processes and implement decisions.

• Marketing Strategy: A general marketing plan for your bubble tea shop should be in place before you open up. Provide an explanation of how you will reach your customers effectively and at a minimal cost. 
• Competitive Edge: Well, this awfully is a given, but this is where you think you stand out from the other bubble tea businesses out there. This is your unique selling point that you should maximise.
• Sales Strategy: This is where you write up about the path you’ll take for securing stable, foreseeable revenue through the relationships you build with new and existing customers.

You need to know or estimate how much your bubble tea business will sell in a week, month, quarter, or year, depending on your calculations. Your business will rely on this forecast to account for the future financial decisions you need to make.

Well, a bubble tea business won’t operate without personnel, won’t it? An organisational plan can help you figure out how many people to hire and which people you need for the business to have a smooth and continuous operation.

By the time you start your bubble tea shop, you already have finances in place. You’ll have your capital, equipment, loans, expenses, and many more. You can use this section to calculate crucial current figures and make cash flow projections for the foreseeable future.

Lastly, an industry analysis will show you what the industry you’ll enter will look like for you. It can make you understand the competition, opportunities, and threats you may face when you start the bubble tea business.

• SWOT Analysis: Your business’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats can be assessed through SWOT analysis. This analysis can provide you with a new perspective on your business. It can also contribute to the creation or refinement of your business strategy.
• PESTLE Analysis: With this analysis, you can understand an industry’s macro environment. The PESTLE acronym stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors. Using this method allows a company to understand better the factors that might affect an industry or business.

Making Your Bubble Tea Shop Business Plan Standout

It is crucial to proofread and edit your writing as readable as possible. This way, anyone who reads it will easily understand your goal.

You’ll, however, be able to make your business plan stand out when you completely understand the brand you’re selling .

Make your store stand out by emphasising its unique qualities. How does it meet the needs of that community, or do you possess something other bubble tea brands do not? 

Always remember to avoid trying to sell everything about your brand. Since you’re a bubble tea shop , focus on your speciality: bubble tea.

– INSERT A PHOTO FROM OUR SHOP–

Write Your Bubble Tea Business Plan Now

In addition to the sections above, you should also consider the presentation of your PowerPoint and pamphlet when creating your bubble tea business plan.

It is important to make a good first impression on everyone . With this guide, hopefully, you will be able to create a comprehensive and creative business plan for your boba tea business.

But if you want the easiest and most convenient way to build a business plan, you can just straight up have a company copy from a bubble tea franchise (if you ever happen to avail of one).

Best of luck, and let us know if this helped you out in building a plan for your bubble tea store!

Is bubble tea still popular?

Bubble tea is gaining popularity across markets, with the trend continuing to soar. A total of US$2.4 billion was generated by the bubble tea market in 2019. The industry’s value is predicted to reach US$4 billion by 2027 .

So yes, it’s still popular.

Who is the target market for bubble tea?

Based on research and current trends online, the majority of bubble tea consumers are Millennials and GenZs. These are people around the age of 15 – 30 years old. With that being said, you should cater to these people’s wants, needs, and demands if you want your bubble tea business to succeed.

What are the objectives of a bubble tea shop business plan?

Well, some of the objectives we can share with you from our Pearl Lemon Boba philosophy are:

• To invest in quality assets that will help sustain the quality of our products,
• To perform better than our industry competitors, and
• To serve our customers the best bubble tea with a smile.

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How to Start a Profitable Boba Tea Business [11 Steps]

By Nick Cotter Updated Feb 05, 2024

Business Steps:

1. perform market analysis., 2. draft a boba tea business plan., 3. develop a boba tea brand., 4. formalize your business registration., 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for boba tea., 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for boba tea services., 8. acquire boba tea equipment and supplies., 9. obtain business insurance for boba tea, if required., 10. begin marketing your boba tea services., 11. expand your boba tea business..

Starting a boba tea business requires a thorough understanding of the market to ensure the venture's success. Market analysis helps identify potential customers, competitors, and industry trends. Here are key steps to consider:

• Analyze the current demand for boba tea in the target area by looking at factors such as population demographics, lifestyle trends, and consumer preferences.
• Study the competition by visiting other boba tea shops, reviewing their menu offerings, prices, and customer service approaches to understand what works and what can be improved upon.
• Identify potential suppliers for quality ingredients, like tea leaves, tapioca pearls, and flavorings, to ensure consistency and taste of the boba tea offered.
• Investigate local regulations and health codes to ensure compliance in all aspects of the business, from preparation to serving.
• Explore real estate options, considering factors like foot traffic, accessibility, and proximity to schools, offices, or shopping centers which could influence customer flow.
• Use surveys or focus groups to gauge consumer interest and willingness to try new boba tea flavors or innovative concepts.

Are boba tea businesses profitable?

Yes, boba tea businesses can be highly profitable. The precise profitability of any individual business depends on factors like location, customer base, competition, and supply chain costs. However, if managed well, the potential profits from selling boba tea can be significant.

Creating a solid business plan is a crucial step in establishing a successful boba tea business. It serves as a roadmap, outlining your vision, goals, and the strategies you will employ to achieve them. Consider these key elements when drafting your boba tea business plan:

• Executive Summary: Summarize your business concept, target market, and financial projections.
• Company Description: Provide detailed information about your boba tea business, location, and unique selling propositions.
• Market Analysis: Research the industry, competitors, and customer demographics to identify market needs and trends.
• Organization and Management: Describe your business structure, management team, and staffing requirements.
• Products and Services: Detail the types of boba tea and other products you will offer, including any unique flavors or ingredients.
• Marketing and Sales Strategies: Explain how you plan to attract and retain customers, including pricing, advertising, and promotional tactics.
• Funding Request: If seeking financing, specify the amount needed, how it will be used, and the proposed repayment plan.
• Financial Projections: Present an analysis of expected revenues, expenses, and profitability over the next 3–5 years.
• Appendix: Include any additional documents that support your business plan, such as resumes, permits, and lease agreements.

How does a boba tea business make money?

Boba tea businesses make money by selling their beverages to customers. They can target a variety of audiences, such as college students, office workers, and families. Often, boba tea businesses will offer different flavors and customize their beverage offerings to appeal to different groups of people. For example, a business might offer more fruity tea drinks to appeal to summertime crowds, or a wider selection of milk teas for those seeking a more indulgent experience. As the demand grows and customers return regularly, boba tea businesses can thrive.

Creating a unique boba tea brand is crucial for distinguishing your business in a competitive market. It's about crafting an identity that resonates with your target audience and reflects the quality and personality of your products. Follow these steps to develop a compelling brand for your boba tea venture:

• Define Your Brand Values: Decide on the core principles that your brand stands for, such as quality ingredients, innovative flavors, or a commitment to sustainability.
• Identify Your Target Audience: Understand who your customers are, what they enjoy, and what they expect from a boba tea brand to tailor your branding accordingly.
• Choose a Memorable Name: Select a brand name that is catchy, easy to remember, and gives an idea of the experience customers will have.
• Design a Distinctive Logo: Create a logo that is visually appealing and represents your brand's values and personality.
• Develop a Unique Brand Aesthetic: Decide on colors, fonts, and imagery that will be consistently used across all your marketing materials and shop decor to create a cohesive look.
• Create a Brand Story: Craft a compelling narrative that tells the story of your brand's origins, mission, and what sets you apart from the competition.

How to come up with a name for your boba tea business?

Coming up with a unique and memorable name for your boba tea business is important. First, consider the type of business you are running, and select words that reflect your shop's style, atmosphere, or target audience. You can also think of catchy plays on words that relate to boba tea. Secondly, look at what other boba tea shops are doing to get ideas and inspiration. Brainstorm a list of names and pick one that stands out to you. Thirdly, make sure the name you choose is available to register as an official business name. Lastly, once you have found a suitable name, make sure it is easy to pronounce and spell so customers won't have any trouble finding your store.

Before you start mixing tapioca pearls and brewing tea, it's essential to ensure your boba tea business is legally recognized. Formalizing your business registration not only legitimizes your venture but also provides necessary protections. Follow these key steps to get your boba tea business officially registered:

• Choose a business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation) that best fits your needs for liability protection and tax purposes.
• Register your business name with the appropriate state agency, ensuring it's unique and meets all naming requirements.
• Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for tax purposes, even if you don't plan to have employees right away.
• Apply for the necessary business licenses and permits, which could include a food service license, health department permit, and local business licenses.
• Check with your local city or county about any additional requirements such as zoning approvals or signage permits for your physical location.
• Register for state and local taxes to ensure you can legally collect sales tax from customers if applicable in your area.

Resources to help get you started:

Explore indispensable resources designed specifically for boba tea entrepreneurs aiming for market understanding, operational excellence, and strategic expansion:

• Beverage Industry Magazine : Offers insights into beverage market trends, including boba tea, featuring expert advice on product development and marketing strategies. Visit site .
• Specialty Food Association : Provides resources and networking opportunities for food and beverage entrepreneurs, with coverage on innovations in the boba tea segment. Explore here .
• World Tea News : Delivers news and analysis on the tea industry, including the growing boba tea market, catering to tea shop owners and tea enthusiasts alike. Check out more .
• Restaurant Owner : Offers comprehensive guides and templates on running a successful restaurant or café, including inventory management, staffing, and customer service, relevant for boba tea shops. Learn more .
• Social Media Examiner : A valuable resource for boba tea shops looking to bolster their social media presence, with tips on engaging customers and promoting products online. Visit the site .

Starting a boba tea shop involves more than just perfecting your bubble tea recipe; you also need to make sure you're compliant with all local regulations. Acquiring the necessary licenses and permits is a critical step to ensure your business operates legally. Here's what you need to consider:

• Business License: Register your boba tea business with your city or county to obtain a general business license.
• Food Service License: Since you'll be serving beverages, you'll need a food service or food handler's permit from your local health department.
• Building Health Permits: If you're constructing a new space or renovating, you'll need permits for building, health, and safety from your local building department.
• Sales Tax Permit: Register with your state's tax department to collect sales tax from customers.
• Sign Permit: If you plan to have signage, some areas require a permit for any outdoor advertising.
• Resale Permit: This allows you to purchase ingredients and supplies wholesale without paying sales tax.
• Check with your local government for any additional permits specific to your region or municipality.

What licenses and permits are needed to run a boba tea business?

To successfully operate a boba tea business, you need to obtain certain licenses and permits from your local and state governments. Depending on the size, location, and type of business, this may include an Employer Identification Number (EIN), business license, health permit, food service permit, seller's permit, and sign permit. Additionally, you may need to obtain zoning permits or apply for special licenses if your boba tea business offers alcohol for sale.

Once your boba tea business plan is in place, the next crucial steps are to open a business bank account and secure the necessary funding. A dedicated bank account will help you manage finances effectively, while the right funding will enable you to cover startup costs and maintain operations until the business becomes profitable. Follow these guidelines to get started:

• Research banks and credit unions that offer business banking services and compare their account fees, features, and customer service.
• Choose a bank that is small business-friendly and open a business checking account with them to keep your business and personal finances separate.
• Prepare the required documents such as your business license, EIN, ownership agreements, and personal identification to open the account.
• Explore different funding options such as small business loans, lines of credit, investors, crowdfunding, or personal savings to finance your start-up costs.
• Prepare a strong business case or pitch to present to potential lenders or investors, emphasizing your boba tea shop's unique selling points and profitability projections.
• Consider applying for small business grants that may be available for food-related startups or for entrepreneurs in your region.

Setting the right price for your boba tea is crucial in attracting and retaining customers, while also ensuring profitability. Consider the cost of ingredients, overhead expenses, and competitor pricing while determining your price points. Below are some guidelines to help you set competitive and profitable pricing for your boba tea services:

• Analyze the costs of goods sold (COGS) to determine the baseline cost of each cup of boba tea, including ingredients, packaging, and labor.
• Research local market prices to understand what customers are willing to pay for boba tea in your area.
• Factor in overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and equipment maintenance to ensure your pricing covers these expenses.
• Consider value-based pricing by assessing the perceived value of your product—use premium ingredients or unique flavors to justify higher prices.
• Implement tiered pricing for different sizes or customize options, allowing customers to choose based on their budget and preferences.
• Plan for promotions and discounts for bulk purchases or loyalty programs to incentivize repeat business while maintaining a profit margin.
• Monitor sales and customer feedback regularly to adjust prices as needed, ensuring you remain competitive and profitable.

What does it cost to start a boba tea business?

Initiating a boba tea business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $23500 for launching such an business. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your boba tea business.

Starting a boba tea business requires a careful selection of equipment and supplies to ensure the quality of your beverages and the efficiency of your service. You need to invest in reliable tools and ingredients that will help you create authentic and delicious boba tea. Below is a guide to help you acquire the necessary equipment and supplies:

• Tea Brewers: Purchase commercial-grade tea brewers for consistent and efficient brewing of various teas.
• Shakers and Blenders: Get shakers for mixing teas and milk, and blenders for making smoothies and slushes.
• Tapioca Pearls and Syrups: Source high-quality tapioca pearls and a variety of flavored syrups to offer a wide range of boba tea options.
• Sealing Machine: Invest in an automatic cup sealing machine for a professional finish and to prevent spills.
• Cups, Straws, and Lids: Order boba-specific cups, wide straws, and lids that can accommodate the tapioca pearls.
• Refrigeration: Ensure you have refrigeration units for storing milk, fruits, and other perishable items.
• POS System: Choose a point-of-sale system that can handle orders efficiently and track sales.
• Health and Safety Supplies: Keep a stock of gloves, cleaning supplies, and sanitizers to maintain a clean and safe environment.

List of software, tools and supplies needed to start a boba tea business:

• Foodservice License ($150-$500)
• Refrigerator or Freezer ($200-$500)
• Cups, straws, and lids ($100-$200)
• Tea Brewing Machine ($100-$400)
• Tea Dispensing Machine ($100-$700)
• Stirrers and spoons ($20-$50)
• Powdered Milk and Other Ingredients ($50-$200)
• Point-of-sale/cash register system with software ($400-$1000)
• Payment Processing (Varies)
• Inventory Tracking Software (Varies)

Securing the right business insurance is crucial in safeguarding your boba tea venture against unforeseen events. It can provide financial protection from a variety of risks, such as property damage, liability claims, and employee-related risks. Here are some steps to help you obtain the necessary insurance:

• Assess the specific risks associated with your boba tea business, including equipment, inventory, and customer interactions.
• Consult with a licensed insurance agent who specializes in small businesses or food service industries to get professional advice tailored to your needs.
• Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the best coverage options at competitive rates.
• Consider the types of insurance typically needed for a boba tea shop, such as general liability insurance, property insurance, product liability, and workers' compensation.
• Review the insurance policy details carefully, including coverage limits and exclusions, to ensure they meet your business requirements.
• Stay proactive by regularly reviewing and updating your insurance coverage as your boba tea business grows and evolves.

Marketing is a crucial step in launching your boba tea business, as it helps to attract customers and build brand recognition. A well-planned marketing strategy should utilize a mix of online and offline tactics tailored to your target audience. Below are some tips to kick-start your marketing efforts:

• Develop a Strong Brand Identity: Create a memorable logo, slogan, and cohesive visual theme that will be used across all marketing materials.
• Build an Online Presence: Set up a professional website and active social media profiles to engage with your audience and share enticing images of your boba tea offerings.
• Leverage Local SEO: Optimize your online content for local search terms to ensure that your business shows up in search results when potential customers are looking for boba tea nearby.
• Offer Promotions: Attract first-time customers with opening specials, loyalty programs, or limited-time offers.
• Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with nearby shops or events to introduce your brand to the community.
• Utilize Influencer Marketing: Partner with local influencers who can help promote your boba tea to their followers.
• Host Events: Organize a grand opening event or boba tea-making workshops to generate interest and encourage people to visit your store.

Expanding your boba tea business is an exciting step that signifies the success and potential for further growth. As you prepare to take this leap, careful planning and strategic decision-making are crucial to ensure the sustainability of your expansion. Below are some key points to guide you through this process.

• Analyze your current operations for efficiency and scalability to ensure a smooth transition as you grow.
• Research new locations with a high demand for boba tea, considering factors like foot traffic, demographics, and competition.
• Consider franchising options to attract business partners and investors, potentially accelerating your expansion.
• Diversify your menu to include seasonal offerings or unique flavors to attract a broader customer base.
• Invest in marketing and brand awareness campaigns, both locally and online, to build a loyal following in new markets.
• Explore e-commerce opportunities, such as online ordering and delivery services, to broaden your reach.
• Seek feedback from customers and employees to continually improve your product and service as you expand.
• Ensure that your supply chain can handle the increased demand without compromising on the quality of your ingredients.

How to Start Your Own Bubble Tea Business

Table of contents.

For many Americans, bubble tea is a relatively new concept. After being invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, the fun drink with a giant straw has exploded in popularity across Asia — and throughout the world. Bubble tea is in such high demand globally that McDonald’s put it on the menu in Germany .

If you are a bubble tea fan, or simply interested in investing in a business with a tremendous potential for growth, you may be thinking about starting your own bubble tea business. Doing so requires careful thought and planning — as well as getting the right supplies to make your business a success. Read on to learn more about how to start your own bubble tea business, complete with recommendations for custom cups that will allow your product and your brand to shine.

What Is Bubble Tea?

Bubble tea, or boba, is a Taiwanese treat that has become incredibly popular in the United States. The word “boba” is used more broadly to refer to any drink with something in it, such as fresh juice with chunks of fruit. Bubble tea (which may also be called pearl milk tea) is a version of boba that involves black tea, milk, ice, and tapioca pearls — the bubbles in bubble tea.

These pearls are made from tapioca starch. The hard white tapioca pearls are boiled and then steeped in a sugary syrup for hours until they become large, chewy, and take on a black color. Bubble tea is offered in a range of flavors, from mango to strawberry to matcha. Other teas — or even coffee — may be substituted for the traditional black tea.

Bubble tea is served in clear cups to allow customers to see the tapioca pearls. Fat straws are a must for bubble tea so that the bubbles can shoot up the straw as a person drinks.

This drink has become incredibly popular both in Asia and here in the United States. The industry is expected to grow by $2 billion to $4.3 billion by 2027 . The United States is expected to account for 18.7% of the global bubble tea market by 2026 .

Getting Started with Your Own Bubble Tea Shop

Given the growing demand for bubble tea, setting up a boba business makes sense for many entrepreneurs. While franchises for established brands are available, given the relative simplicity of the product, you can also go out on your own.

Step 1: Decide If a Bubble Tea Business Is Right for You

Boba tea is definitely having a moment. As demonstrated above, it is incredibly popular in the United States right now. But before you make the leap and become a bubble tea entrepreneur, it makes sense to spend some time thinking about whether or not it makes financial sense for you.

Depending on a few factors, it can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $500,000 to start your own boba tea shop. You will need to do a deep dive to determine if you can raise the capital to start this type of business based on projected costs and profits. For example, a more expensive retail space located near a college campus could cost quite a bit to lease – but it may be more profitable than a boba tea shop located in a strip mall with less foot traffic.

Common costs associated with setting up a bubble tea business include:

• Incorporating ($150 to $200)
• Obtaining business licenses and permits ($100 to $300)
• Getting insurance for your business (could cost $500 or more per year for a commercial general liability policy)
• Buying business cards and brochures ($200 to $300)
• Setting up a website and social media profiles ($1,000 to $3,000)
• A deposit on leased premises, plus the first month’s rent ($3,000 to $7,000)
• Construction on the shop plus purchasing necessary equipment and furnishings ($15,000 to $30,000)
• Ingredients inventory ($2,000 to $4,000)

Again, these costs can vary widely based on multiple factors. It is imperative to do your research to determine exactly what your expenses will be before you embark on the process.

A boba tea shop could lead to $6,000 to $9,000 per month in profit . Of course, making this kind of money depends on your ability to charge $5.00 or more per cup of tea. If you live in an economically depressed area or a community that just isn’t that into bubble tea, then it may be hard to turn that kind of profit.

You should also think about the difficulty of starting your own shop from scratch. There are a few bubble tea shop franchises available, which can make it easier to get up and running. However, for many people, buying into a franchise is more expensive than setting up a shop on their own. You should do some careful calculations to figure out which option is best for you.

Finally, remember that the popularity of bubble tea shops can be a positive – but it can also work against you. While boba tea shops were once hard to find outside of certain areas of the country, they are now much more common. The market may quickly become saturated with bubble tea shops, so it’s important to think about whether there is an opening in your particular area for this type of business.

Step 2: Develop The Concept

The first step in starting any business is to come up with a concept that works. In this case, the concept is bubble tea. Think about whether you want a more extensive menu, if the shop will be sit-down or carryout, and the overall style of your store.

One of the great things about boba tea shops is that there are seemingly endless variations on flavors, types of tea, and add-ins like fruit, powders, jellies, and even mini mochi. This near-infinite level of customization can be a great way to set your boba tea shop apart from the crowd, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. You will need to do some research to figure out your target market so that you can develop a menu that will be successful.

For example, if your market research shows that your most likely customers are millennials working at office jobs, that may inform the types of drinks you offer. It may even influence you to add light snacks to the menu, as your customers may want to pick up a dessert or a sandwich to go along with their tea. Alternatively, if you are planning to open up shop in a trendier area, you might be able to go for more daring offerings. Certain toppings or flavors might not go over well in a small town, but they could be popular in a more diverse area where people may be more willing to try unusual flavors.

Your market research should also inform other aspects of your concept. Generally, bubble tea is more popular among younger people. This fact should inform every aspect of your concept, from your logo to your brand colors to the design of the shop itself. 

You should also consider your target audience when planning your advertising and marketing strategy. For example, younger people are more likely to be on TikTok than on Facebook. While it is a good idea to have a Facebook business page, you should spend time developing content for other forms of social media so that you attract your preferred audience.

Step 3: Pick a Name and Logo

Once you have decided on a concept, it is time to pick a name and develop a brand identity. Broadly speaking, a brand identity is all of the visible elements of a brand. This can include the brand colors, its logo, and the overall design of each of these elements. For example, 

Kung Fu Tea uses bold black, red, and white illustrations for its logo and the various illustrations on its boba tea cups.

Your brand identity will be the way that customers identify you as a business, so it is vital that you spend some time to make sure that you get it right. It should be easily recognizable, attractive, and memorable. 

Come up with a logo and design concept that is versatile enough to be used throughout your branding materials. Your logo will need to be able to work well on your website, your storefront, your plastic drink cups , etc. For this reason, it’s best to work with a logo that can be made mono-color (one color), so that you can change the color of your logo to pop against many different colored backgrounds.

Spend some time researching competitors, and find a way to set your store apart from theirs. If you need some help brainstorming, we compiled over 30 of our favorite creative restaurant and coffee/tea shop names for inspiration. You can also consult with a branding expert to help develop your brand and choose a name.

When picking a name, remember the following:

• Short names are easy to remember
• The name should be easy to both say and spell
• The name should be relevant to your concept
• Including keywords – like bubble tea or boba tea – can help with search engine optimization ( SEO )
• Avoid any offensive words or imagery
• If you use Chinese characters as part of your logo, make sure that they are accurate
• Ask friends and family for their opinion on your name

Be sure to check to make sure that the business name that you ultimately select isn’t already taken. You can do this by checking your State corporate database, and by doing a quick Google search. If the name isn’t already in use, you can start taking the next steps.

Step 4: Find A Location

Next, figure out a location. This decision will be based in part on your concept. If you plan on having a sit-down restaurant, you will want a place with plenty of parking, as well as easy access by foot. Demographics are also important. According to the New York Times, bubble tea shops often do well near college campuses . For some entrepreneurs, a bubble tea truck may make the most sense, allowing you to drive to events, festivals, and busy lunch locations to offer your wares.

Cost is also a huge factor here. While a shop near a college campus might be the ideal location, this type of retail space is often more expensive. If that doesn’t fit within your budget, you will need to reevaluate and find another space to lease or buy. When you are looking at spaces, ask about the cost per square foot (if it isn’t included in the listing). This number breaks down the price based on the size of the commercial space and can be used as a reference point for how much spaces will cost in a particular area of town. The formula for figuring out monthly lease prices this way is by multiplying the total square feet by the price per square foot and then dividing by 12. For example, retail leases in a downtown area may cost $23 per square foot on average, which means that a 1,500 square foot shop will run about $2,875 per month in rent. You can use this formula to help determine if you are getting a good deal on rental space.

Step 5: Write a Business Plan and Obtain Financing

Once you have developed a concept and brand and chosen a location, it is time to think about financing. This usually requires writing a business plan to qualify for a loan or to attract investors. A business plan can also be useful as a strategic roadmap for your company’s growth.

A business plan typically includes a number of elements, including:

• An executive summary, which is an overview of the business plan as a whole
• Concept, which includes a description of the company, its vision, mission statement, ownership structure, and corporate goals
• Products and services, including menu items
• Market analysis, including your target demographic, trends in demand, and prospects for growth
• Competitive analysis, which should highlight your main competitors and note your main advantages over their shops
• Marketing plan, which explains how you plan to promote your store
• Management and operations, including who will be running the shop, its physical location, staffing, and other logistical details
• Financial plan, which should include 3 years of financial planning such as start-up costs, a break-even analysis, profit and loss estimates, and cash flow
• Appendix, where you can include any related documentation

During this process, you should be thinking about your menu as well. Even if you are limiting yourself to drinks at this stage, there are many bubble tea options to explore. Having a wide range of choices may differentiate you from your competitors and allow you to become more profitable as a business.

Step 6: Getting Your Legal Ducks in Order

Once you have secured financing, you will need to ensure that your business is incorporated. There are many different corporate forms – such as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability corporation (LLC), and a corporation. Each corporate form has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to liability protection and taxes. You should consult with an attorney to determine how to incorporate and which form is best for your business.

Keep in mind that when you run a business that is open to the public, a lot of different issues can arise – such as a patron slipping and falling on a spilled drink. Incorporating can often protect you from being held personally liable – and it will often be necessary to secure funding for your business. A lawyer can also advise you as to other legal issues that your business may need to address, such as a business license, a federal employer identification number (EIN), and/or a sales tax permit or business number. 

Step 7: Design Your Space

After securing a location and financing, it is time to build out and customize your space. This may involve putting together a floor plan to meet your customer’s needs or getting your logo on the truck. We have a post on the latest design and decor trends in the food service industry if you’d like images to draw inspiration from as part of the design process.

Keep in mind that your space should be aligned with your brand identity. If your brand colors are pink, blue, and gray, for example, then you shouldn’t use yellow and orange in the store.  Making an attractive, comfortable space that is consistent with your brand can help your overall marketing plan – and it will also bring in more customers.

Part of the design process includes setting up your kitchen. Compared to a restaurant, you won’t need as much space or equipment. However, there are certain items that you will need, such as a commercial ice machine, dispensers for sweeteners, or machines to make the tea for your drinks. 

When setting up your kitchen, think about how you will be making and serving drinks. You want your space to be both logical and efficient. Your ingredients and equipment should be stored in a convenient place so that it is as easy as possible to make and serve customers.

Step 8: Source Your Ingredients

At the same time that you are setting up your kitchen, you should start sourcing ingredients and supplies. Because bubble tea has limited ingredients, it is important to buy high-quality teas, milks (including non-dairy options), tapioca pearls, and flavorings. At this stage, you will need to decide whether you will make your boba from scratch or buy pre-made boba. 

Many ingredients for boba, like tea, are shelf-stable, so you can often buy in bulk in advance. Other components – like dairy and fruit add-ins – are perishable. You should set up a plan for how you will order your ingredients and track inventory to ensure that you aren’t reducing your profit margins due to food waste.

Of course, you will need to serve your boba tea in something – along with any food that you sell. You will also need to pick out clear plastic cups , boba straws, sealing film , and lids. While it isn’t strictly required, it is a good idea to buy branded cups and sealing film. After all, bubble tea looks great in pictures – and you want your business name and logo to be in the shot when your customers post their pics on social media. In addition, if you’re going to be selling food, you may also want to buy custom takeout bags to help expand your brand’s reach.

Step 9: Get Permits, Licensing, & Staff Setup

As you get closer to opening up, you will want to make sure that you have the right permits and licenses, and that your employees have been hired and well-trained. Generally, this will include a food handler’s license for at least one staff member. You will also need a certificate of occupancy for the business itself. These requirements vary by jurisdiction, so be sure to check with your lawyer about what permits and licenses you may need to open up shop.

Many bubble tea shops are run exclusively by their owners, given that bubble tea usually isn’t labor-intensive to make and the shops tend to be smaller in size. As your business grows, however, you may want to hire staff to keep up with demand. You should think about whether or not you will need to hire employees, what you will pay them, and how you will train them before you officially open for business.

You will also want to make a decision about using technology to help grow your business, such as an app for ordering, payment tools, or even partnering with a food delivery business . This type of software can also help with things like scheduling employees, payroll, and profit and loss statements. 

Step 10: Put Together Your Marketing Plan

Finally, you will want to begin the process of marketing your business. When you made your business plan, you should have also drafted a marketing strategy. Now is the time to put that plan into action!

First, you should create a website and social media pages for your bubble tea store. Be sure to include your menu, prices, address, hours of operation and pictures of your store and products. Taking these steps will ensure that customers can find you — and may be an important piece of your business’ success. Remember that the target demographic for boba tea trends younger, so consider that when you are choosing which social media platforms to join.

Second, you should consider other forms of marketing, like billboards, signage outside of your store, newspaper or radio ads, mailings, and paid Google ads. Carefully track your spending in this regard so that you can determine which form of marketing is most effective.

Third, using branded promotional products can be particularly helpful for bubble tea shops. Remember: boba tea tends to look really cool, and people like to take pictures of it. Adding your name and logo to the disposable products that you use is a savvy business move, given the likelihood of your drinks ending up on your patron’s social media pages (i.e., free advertising!)

Starting a new business can be overwhelming, but if you break the process down into tiny steps, it becomes much easier to tackle. For further reading, you may also be interested in our resource guide for coffee and tea shops . It includes resources for creating a mission statement, putting together your business plan, picking the right location, gathering required equipment, managing inventory, and more.

Starting a Bubble Tea Shop? We Can Help.

The bubble tea trend is still relatively new in the U.S., with huge potential for growth. If you’re interested in starting a bubble tea business, we can help. Budget Branders offers a full range of custom disposables, priced affordably for start-ups as well as small and medium-sized businesses.

In the past, custom-branded cups, bags, bowls, and other items were only an option for the biggest chains which purchased these items by the millions. We offer a solution for smaller restaurants and bars who want to market their business effectively without breaking the bank.

To learn more about how we can help you build your bubble tea business, contact us today by filling out a contact form , pressing the live chat button, or submitting a quote request for one or more of our products.

The information disclosed above does not constitute legal or financial advice. Use this information at your own discretion and consult a legal or financial professional for further guidance.

David Kranker

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Tea Shop Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Tea Shop Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their tea shops.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a tea shop business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a tea shop business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Tea Shop Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your tea shop as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Tea Shop

If you’re looking to start a tea shop or grow your existing tea shop, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your tea shop to improve your chances of success. Your tea shop business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Tea Shops

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a tea shop are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for tea shops.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a tea shop.

If you want to start a tea shop or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your tea shop business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of tea shop you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a tea shop that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of tea shops?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the tea shop industry.
• Discuss the type of tea shop you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of tea shop you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of tea shops:

• Loose leaf tea shop: This type of tea shop specializes in selling a variety of blends of loose leaf tea. Customers can often sample the tea before purchasing some to take home.
• Tea room or cafe: This type of tea shop sells food, tea, and other beverages in a dine-in setting.
• Tea bar: This type of tea shop offers a variety of tea to drink at the bar or to-go, similar to a coffee shop.
• Online tea shop: This type of tea shop sells a variety of different kinds of tea through an ecommerce site.

In addition to explaining the type of tea shop you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the number of drinks sold, and reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the tea shop industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the tea shop industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your tea shop business plan:

• How big is the tea shop industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your tea shop? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your tea shop business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of tea shop you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other tea shops.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of cafes, beverage retailers, or coffee shops. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of tea shop are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for your customers to acquire your products or services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a tea shop business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of tea shop that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide loose leaf tea, in-shop dining, or tea accessories?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your tea shop. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your tea shop located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone shop, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your tea shop marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your tea shop, including answering calls, greeting customers, taking orders, collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth customer, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your tea shop to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your tea shop’s potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing tea shops. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a tea shop or successfully running a small medical practice.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you expect to serve 20 customers per day, and will you offer discounts for repeat customers? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your tea shop, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a tea shop:

• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your tea shop location lease or testimonials from happy customers.  

Writing a business plan for your tea shop is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the tea shop industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful tea shop.  

Tea Shop Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my tea shop business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your tea shop business plan.

How Do You Start a Tea Shop Business?

Starting a tea shop business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Tea Shop Business
• Create Your Tea Shop Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Tea Shop Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Tea Shop Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Tea Shop Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Tea Shop Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Tea Shop Business Equipment
• Develop Your Tea Shop Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Tea Shop Business
• Open for Business

Learn more about how to start your own tea shop business .

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Our growing taste for bubble tea

The trend for boba-based beverages shows no sign of ending

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Bubble tea is booming in Britain, with a Taiwanese chain planning to open 500 new branches across the UK to capitalise on the trend.

The drink, also called boba tea, originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. A sweet, milky beverage, it gets its name from the chewy tapioca balls or 'boba' added to the drink and "slurped through a jumbo straw", said the BBC .

Served hot or cold, it is known for "its endless customisation options", starting with a base of black, green or oolong tea – although some popular options, such as brown sugar milk, contain no tea at all. Aficionados can add their choice of milk, including cow, almond and condensed, as well as a vast array of additional flavours. The resulting photogenic brews are a social media sensation: "on TikTok, #BubbleTea tops 8.3 billion views", said the BBC.

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"Due to its highly customisable and visual, Instagrammable nature, bubble tea is really appealing for Gen Z consumers and students," said Justin Goes, UK and Ireland development director at Taiwan-based franchise Gong cha, which plans to open 500 new stores in Britain.

However, while the traditional cuppa has recognised health benefits , the high sugar content of some bubble tea preparations has raised concerns. Vendors are increasingly exploring "sugar-free options, natural sweeteners, and fresh fruit teas to cater to health-conscious consumers", said European Supermarket Magazine .

The bubble tea boom shows no sign of bursting. An April 2023 report from Fortune Business Insights predicted that this global industry will "grow exponentially", said the BBC, from $2.46 billion (£1.94 billion) in 2023, to $4.08 billion (£3.22 billion) by 2030. 

The craze is also well under way in China, where the first cups of tea were brewed more than 4,000 years ago. Compared with coffee chains, milk tea brands "have a much wider appeal" for China, Jason Yu, managing director at consumer research group Kantar Worldpanel, told the Financial Times . Considering the boba-based possibilities, he said: "It's not just milk tea any more. It's really a beverage that can be infused with everything you can imagine."

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Adrienne Wyper has been a freelance sub-editor and writer for The Week's website and magazine since 2015. As a travel and lifestyle journalist, she has also written and edited for other titles including BBC Countryfile, British Travel Journal, Coast, Country Living, Country Walking, Good Housekeeping, The Independent, The Lady and Woman’s Own.

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Bubble Tea Shop Marketing Plan

Bubble tea shop marketing plan presentation, free google slides theme and powerpoint template.

Bubble tea has become extremely popular in the recent years. Its tasty bubbles and the endless flavours to choose from have made this Asian drink into a worldwide hit. Are you interested in opening a tea shop specialized in these drinks? With this creative Google Slides & PPT design for businesses you can prepare a business plan that will turn your idea into reality. We have included lots of editable resources and cute illustrations!

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• Designed to be used in Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint
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• Includes information about fonts, colors, and credits of the resources used

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Bubble it up: 3 new bubble tea shops open in Louisville. Here's where to find them

The bubble tea shop trend is continuing to pick up steam in Louisville.

Three new shops serving the classic Taiwanese drink have opened or plan to open this year, including national chains and local concepts.

There are dozens of variations, but basically, bubble tea — also called "boba tea" or "pearl milk tea" — is a combination of tea, milk and the "bubbles," which are usually little balls of tapioca or jelly. The drinks are highly customizable with choices on everything from sweetness level to ice and milk options. 

Here's everything we know so far about the new tea shops coming to Louisville. Know one we missed? Send a note to [email protected].

The Bep Teahouse

1702 Bardstown Road; thebepteahouse.com ; Now open

The long-empty Superchefs space in the Highlands will soon have a new tenant: a bubble tea shop called The Bep Teahouse . Co-owner Mimi Luu said she has loved bubble tea her whole life and always wanted to open her own shop. This one is the first franchise location of a shop based in Houston, Texas.

Luu said the restaurant has been completely gutted and rebuilt into a "contemporary, modern concept with lots of cute, quirky colors." The shop has teal couches, pink loveseats, wooden tables, and mid-century modern chairs. A full bar, neon lights and games fill the space. Each table has access to plugs for chargers so customers can work there and stay awhile.

The Bep Teahouse will serve all-organic teas and boba made in the U.S., Luu said. Fruit teas, milk teas and smoothies are the main items on the menu, with a selection of Vietnamese finger foods and street foods like popcorn chicken, fries, vegetarian spring rolls, fried pot stickers and rice paper salad. Foods will be $6 to $11 and drinks range from $3.75 for a standard tea to $7 for fruit teas topped with pieces of fruit.

More: This bubble tea shop is opening in the former Superchefs space. Here's what to know

Fleur de Tea

1212 S. Fourth St.; fleurdetea.store ; Opening summer 2023

Fleur de Tea, which opened in Norton Commons at the end of 2020, is opening a second location in Old Louisville this summer. The new shop will take up the former Adrienne & Company space. Owner Jasmine Gatti said she wanted to be in Old Louisville in the first place, so it's a perfect fit.

The 900-square-foot Old Louisville location is smaller than the 1,100-square-foot Norton Commons spot, she said, but it has a larger kitchen.

"I definitely want to add some sandwiches and things, and new desserts," she said. "We're painting and sprucing the space up now and hope to open in June."

Fleur de Tea has more than 60 kinds of tea in stock that can be customized and brewed in different ways: served in a teapot, extra strong, steeped in a French press, mixed with espresso or made into a latte. The shop serves bold and brisk black teas like Ceylon sonata and Earl Grey lavender ($2.50-$3.50), slightly bitter green teas with earthy notes like lychee rose, matcha and Hunnan gold ($3-$4.25), premium white teas like peach, pear and strawberry basil ($3.75-$4), as well as oolong, rooibos, Pu-erh, herbal and chai teas. Fleur de Tea also serves from-scratch pastries, snacks, smoothies and a few coffees.

More: This cozy East End tea shop is opening a second location. Here's where to find it

Tiger Sugar

1501 Bardstown Road; tigersugar.co ; Now open

This bubble tea chain opened its 50th location in the Highlands in March. Store manager Nana Zheng said the shop serves plenty of flavors, including the signature drink brown sugar boba tea with fresh Cream Mousse.  According to the company's online menu , Tiger Sugar also sells black sugar boba with pearl coffee latte and cream mousse, matcha black sugar boba milk with cream mousse, black sugar boba green tea and black sugar boba black tea, along with plent of other options. Desserts and ice cream could be available in the future too, Zheng said.

Tiger Sugar uses organic milk in all its drinks, Zheng said, along with homemade brown sugar. The boba tea is changed out "every couple of hours" and takes four hours to prepare.

"We want to make sure its quality, that's how Tiger Sugar do. So we are picky," Zheng said.

More: One of Bardstown Road's busiest corners is getting a sweet new tenant this week

Reach food reporter Dahlia Ghabour at [email protected].