Gong cha operates more than 2,200 sites across 26 markets globally | Photo credit: Gong cha

UK-headquartered bubble tea chain Gong cha has launched in Mauritius with a store at the Tribeca Mall in the island’s Moka district. 
 

Gong cha has partnered with Mauritian franchise group Fashion Heights to launch on the Indian Ocean nation, which is famed for its pristine beaches, wildlife and high-end resorts and expects to receive around 1.3 million tourists in 2024.

A high volume of international visitors has contributed to an outsized food and beverage and coffee shop on Mautitius, with leading bubble tea chains Chatime, Tealive and CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice all trading on the island. Domestic operator Artisan Coffee is the branded coffee shop market leader with 32 outlets, while South Africa’s Vida e Caffè also operates three sites.
 

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Founded in Taiwan in 1996, Gong cha is one of the world’s largest bubble tea chains with more than 2,200 sites across 26 markets globally. The bubble tea chain debuted in Puerto Rico in May 2024, entered Honduras in June 2024 and opened its first store in the Middle East at the View Mall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the following month. 

Gong cha is seeking to reach 10,000 stores globally by 2032. 

Fashion Heights franchises a broad range of fashion brands in Mauritius, including Mango, Esprit, Celio, DCM Jennyfer and Etam. Gong cha is the group’s second foray into the food and beverage category, following its rollout of Japanese fast-food chain Côté Sushi.