| Gong Cha Global Limited | |
| Industry: | Food and beverage |
| Predecessors: | --> |
| Successors: | --> |
| Founded: | in Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| Founders: | --> |
| Hq Location City: | London |
| Hq Location Country: | United Kingdom |
| Key People: | Wu Zhenhua (Chinese: 吳振華) (Founder) Martin Edward Berry (CEO) |
| Owners: | --> |
| Parent: | Gong Cha Korea (70%) Gong Cha Global (30%) |
Gong Cha is a tea drink franchise founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.[1] [2] [3]
Gong Cha expanded to Hong Kong in 2009,[4] and by 2012 had further expanded internationally to Macau, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia and China. In 2023 the brand also arrived in Panama, Belgium and Portugal.[5]
The name is a combination of the Chinese characters "", meaning contribution or tribute, and "", referring to tea.[6]
Gong Cha, a tea company, was founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Its first store in Hong Kong was established in 2009 by a Hong Kong native who had lived in Taiwan for five years. [7]
In 2012, the company had forty-six stores in Hong Kong, primarily located in MTR stations and shopping centers. However, due to various health and safety scandals,[8] the number of stores has decreased to just five. Gong Cha serves approximately fifty-seven different drinks, divided into seven types: house specials, brewed tea, milk tea, Creative Mix, coffee, Healthy Series, and ice smoothies. These drinks are offered in medium and large sizes. Additionally, Gong Cha sells tea sets and various types of tea in stores, such as Bi-Luo-Chun Green Tea and Darjeeling Spring Tea. Some locations also provide food options, including the recent addition of "Mochi Waffles."[9]
In 2017, 70% of ownership was sold to Kim Yeo-Jin, owner of Gong Cha Korea, Gong Cha's Korea franchisee, with backing from private equity firm Unison Capital.
In January 2017, Gong Cha's main headquarters was acquired by Gong Cha Korea. CEO Kim Soo-Min has announced plans to expand to the Middle East and Latin America.[10]
In 2019, TA Associates agreed to provide growth investment to Gong Cha and later bought 100% of Gong Cha Korea. UK company GC Group BIDCO Limited bought the remaining 30% in the same year, with GC Group BIDCO renamed to Gong Cha Global in 2020, moving the global headquarters to UK.