
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.

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$54,900
$293,000
$480,000
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$244,000
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Fuelify is a specialty beverage franchise offering energy teas, milk teas, smoothies, spritzers, coffee and freeze-dried candy, serving boba lovers and on-the-go guests, and known for vibrant flavors, customizable drink combinations and a fun, social “boba hangout” atmosphere.
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Mercato Cucina is a foodservice franchise concept offering Italian-inspired fast-casual meals and marketplace items, serving local residents seeking refined yet convenient cuisine, and known for chef-crafted menus, fresh pastas and sauces, and an Italian deli–style experience with gourmet take-home products.
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Boba Nation is a beverage franchise offering bubble tea, smoothies, and specialty drinks, serving younger consumers and families who enjoy customizable beverages, and known for extensive flavor combinations, vibrant store branding, and scalable formats designed to capture growing boba demand.
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Parlay Cafe is a hybrid café and coworking franchise offering specialty coffee, light bites, and flexible workspace, serving remote professionals, entrepreneurs, and small teams, and known for memberships, meeting rooms, and thoughtfully designed spaces combining café comfort with business amenities.
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Puffles is a dessert-and-beverage franchise offering Hong-Kong-style egg waffles, customizable ice cream treats and bubble tea, serving dessert lovers and social café customers, and known for trendy format, fun social-media appeal and low investment.
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Tea Lounge is a café franchise offering specialty teas, bubble tea, and light café fare in stylish modern settings, serving younger consumers and café-seekers, and known for trendy ambiance, customizable drinks and franchise-ready formula.
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