Gong cha is entering the Portuguese market after signing a master franchise agreement with Amerie Morisot, managing director of Gong cha Portugal.
The company opened its first store in Portugal at the start of 2023, marking its third launch in Europe after the United Kingdom and Belgium. It has plans to open two more stores in Porto this year.
Amerie says: “Gong cha’s premium products, simple and scalable operating model and strong corporate support makes it one of the fastest growing bubble tea brands in the world. We believe that our key to success is our high-quality products combined with the huge bubble tea consumption trend – especially among the younger demographic.”
The launch in Portugal is a key milestone in the business’s global expansion strategy and reflects the continued acceleration of European consumer interest in, and demand for, bubble tea. According to Allied Market Research, the global bubble tea market is expected to grow to be worth approximately £3.6 by 2027, with Europe expecting to see the fastest growth.
The brand expanded overseas for the first time in 2009 and has grown significantly. Gong cha now has almost 1,800 locations across 20 countries including the UK, USA, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan.
Paul Reynish, global CEO of Gong cha, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Amerie and her team to the Gong cha franchise community. She is a proven retail and marketing professional, with a wealth of experience and a strong track record in the beverage industry.
“Gong cha’s launch in Portugal marks another significant milestone in our European expansion, and we can’t wait to bring the Gong cha brand to Lisbon and Porto.”
