Gong cha boosts senior leadership team to accelerate global expansion

Kiki Jin, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Gong cha

Gong cha has appointed a new Global Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Gong cha Americas and General Counsel to drive its ‘aggressive’ international growth plans. 
 

The Taiwanese bubble tea chain has hired Kiki Jin as Global Chief Marketing Officer to lead initiatives which reinforce brand equity and develop new products. 

Jin previously served as International Head of Marketing at food and beverage giant Kraft Heinz. 

Additionally, Gong cha has appointed Geoff Henry as Head of Americas Region to build on the brand’s momentum and drive its rapid expansion across the US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America. 
 

His appointment follows recent additions to Gong cha’s marketing, supply chain and franchisee support management teams in the US. 

Henry most recently served as President of Jamba, where he led the integration of the US juice and smoothie chain into Focus Brands. 

Before joining Jamba, Henry worked for Coca-Cola as Vice President of Brand Marketing for the Tea & Coffee Business Unit for the US, managing the beverage giant’s market entry into the ready-to-drink coffee category. 

Former Head of Legal for KFC and Yum Brands Pip McKenzie also joins Gong cha as General Counsel. The bubble tea chain said McKenzie brings an ‘abundance of experience’ in corporate governance, business integrity, data privacy and intellectual property rights. 

“Gong cha is thrilled to add this group of highly accomplished and exceptionally knowledgeable professionals to the team. These new team members bring with them a wealth of experience and deep expertise that will help fuel the brand’s exceptional growth trajectory,” said Paul Reynish, CEO, Gong cha. 

Gong cha currently operates more than 1,900 stores across 22 countries. The bubble tea chain said it is seeking to open a new store every day on average this year.