
Established in 2005 by Henry Wang in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Chatime has rapidly evolved into a leading global teahouse franchise. With its headquarters in Zhubei, Hsinchu County, Taiwan, the brand has expanded to over 2,500 outlets across 38 countries, making it the world's largest teahouse franchise.
Chatime began its international expansion in 2009, opening its first overseas store in California, USA. The franchise offers a diverse menu that includes bubble tea, flavored teas, fruit-infused beverages, and smoothies, catering to a wide range of taste preferences.
A hallmark of Chatime's offerings is the ability for customers to customize their drinks, selecting sugar levels, ice content, and a variety of toppings such as pearls (tapioca balls), jellies, and mousse.
What sets Chatime apart from its competitors is its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. The company ensures that its teas are brewed fresh every four hours, guaranteeing vibrant flavors and aromas in every cup.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Chatime provides a comprehensive training program for its franchisees, which includes the following components:
Chatime grants franchisees the right to operate within a designated territory, but it does not provide exclusive territory protection. This means that while a specific area is allocated to the franchisee in the agreement, they may face competition from other franchisees, outlets owned by Chatime, or other distribution channels controlled by the franchisor.
The boundaries of the designated territory are typically defined in the franchise agreement, but these rights are contingent on the franchisee complying with all contractual obligations.
Furthermore, Chatime reserves the right to adjust or terminate territorial rights if franchisees fail to meet the terms of their agreement. The franchisor also retains the ability to establish additional outlets or grant franchises within or near the designated area, based on its discretion.
Below are some of
Chatime
key competitors in the
Coffee & Tea
sector.

16
$54,900
$293,000
$480,000
n.a.
$244,000
$xxx,xxx
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Tastea is a beverage-and-snack café franchise offering customizable teas, smoothies, and bowls, serving health- and flavor-focused consumers, and known for bold visual branding, fresh mixes, and social-media-friendly store experience.
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Tom n Toms Coffee is a café franchise offering espresso drinks, pretzels, breads, and light bites, serving students and urban professionals, and known for spacious cafés, extended hours, and a Korean coffeehouse heritage.
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Feng Cha is a tea café franchise offering handcrafted milk teas, fruit teas, and desserts, serving tea lovers and social café guests, and known for creative toppings, seasonal menus, and modern, photogenic store designs.
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illy is a premium café franchise offering espresso beverages, coffee, pastries, and packaged products, serving coffee connoisseurs and travelers, and known for Italian espresso heritage, design-driven cafés, and consistently high-quality blends.
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Ding Tea is a bubble tea franchise offering milk teas, fruit teas, and specialty drinks, serving boba enthusiasts and casual café guests, and known for customizable sweetness, premium teas, and an international brand footprint.
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Qahwah House is a specialty coffee shop franchise offering authentic Yemeni coffee, baked goods, and café experiences, serving coffee enthusiasts and communities, and known for premium sourcing, cultural heritage, and welcoming hospitality.
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