The Taiwanese bubble tea chain sees ‘significant long-term potential’ in France and plans to open 200 stores across the country by 2033 in partnership with existing franchisee Mad Vision Group
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Mad Vision Group has committed to opening 200 Gong cha stores across France over the next 10 years | Photo credit: Gong cha
Gong cha has opened its first store in France in partnership with food and beverage franchisor Mad Vision Group, which also licenses the brand in Belgium.
The bubble tea chain says the Paris outlet represents the next step in its ambitious European growth strategy.
As part of the new master franchise agreement, Mad Vision Group has committed to opening 200 stores across France over the next 10 years.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha has accelerated growth in international markets in recent years and currently operates nearly 2,000 stores across 23 countries, including Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and the US.
France is Gong cha’s fourth European market alongside the UK, Belgium and Portugal, where the bubble tea chain operates 13, three and a single store respectively. Mad Vision Group plans to open seven further sites in Belgium by the end of 2023.
“We’re delighted to partner with Mad Vision Group and Adlane once again to launch in France, a market that we believe has significant long-term potential. Adlane and the Mad Vision Group team have enjoyed a successful start to life as master franchisees in Belgium, opening new stores, driving operational excellence, and helping grow the brand. Like us, Mad Vision Group have huge ambitions for France, and we look forward to working with them as we build a market-leading position in the country,” said Paul Reynish, Global CEO of Gong cha.
Underlining the international scope of the brand, Gong cha operates just 32 stores in its native Taiwanese market, compared with more than 750 outlets in South Korea.
Alongside European expansion, Gong cha is also seeking to open 300 new US stores across the next two years to reach 500 stores in the country.
In January 2023, Gong cha appointed four new franchise experts to its Americas division to help the brand meet its growth targets across the US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America.