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Chatime Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Chatime is a globally recognized bubble tea brand offering a variety of tea-based beverages with fresh ingredients and customizable options.

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.

Initial investment

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.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $54,900
Initial Training, Opening Support and Related Personnel Cost $5,000
Rent $6,000 - $33,000
Lease Security Deposit $4,000 - $22,000
Storage Space Deposit $0 - $1,500
Leasehold Improvements $135,000 - $226,000
Equipment $33,500 - $46,000
External Signage $4,200 - $9,500
Opening Inventory and Supplies $10,000 - $16,000
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Licenses, Permits, and Utility Deposits $3,500 - $5,500
Technology Systems $10,500 - $14,000
Uniforms $500 - $1,500
Insurance $3,000 - $6,000
Professional Fees $1,000 - $5,000
Additional Funds – Three Months $12,000 - $24,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $293,100 - $479,900
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $54,900
Initial Training, Opening Support and Related Personnel Cost $5,000
Rent $6,000 - $33,000
Lease Security Deposit $4,000 - $22,000
Storage Space Deposit $0 - $1,500
Leasehold Improvements $135,000 - $226,000
Equipment $33,500 - $46,000
External Signage $4,200 - $9,500
Opening Inventory and Supplies $10,000 - $16,000
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Licenses, Permits, and Utility Deposits $3,500 - $5,500
Technology Systems $10,500 - $14,000
Uniforms $500 - $1,500
Insurance $3,000 - $6,000
Professional Fees $1,000 - $5,000
Additional Funds – Three Months $12,000 - $24,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $293,100 - $479,900

Chatime

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Chatime provides a comprehensive training program for its franchisees, which includes the following components:

  1. Initial Training:
    • A minimum of two weeks of continuous training, conducted in English, covering areas such as store operations, sales, staff training, inventory management, and local marketing.
    • The training is mandatory for franchisees, senior managers, and designated guarantors. It must be completed prior to the store's opening.
    • If the initial training is not successfully completed, additional training may be required at the franchisee’s expense.
  2. Continuing Training:
    • Franchisees and their senior managers may be required to participate in ongoing training programs throughout the term of the agreement.
    • These programs may be delivered in-person, virtually, or as blended learning sessions and are designed to ensure competency and operational excellence.
  3. Refresher and Additional Training:
    • The franchisor may mandate refresher courses or supplementary training programs as necessary. These may include advanced technical or orientation support.
    • Franchisees bear the cost of such training, including travel, accommodations, and meal expenses for attendees.
  4. On-the-Job and Hands-On Training:
    • On-site training may be provided by franchisor representatives to address specific operational needs or support the franchisee during the store opening.

Territory Protection

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.

Competitors

Below are some of

Chatime

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

16

New
+
33%
33%

$54,900

$293,000

$480,000

n.a.

$244,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Fuelify

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$83,000 - $127,000

Mercato Cucina

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$199,000 - $346,000

Boba Nation

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.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$350,000 - $495,000

Parlay Cafe

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$203,000 - $459,000

Puffles

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$112,000 - $296,000

Tea Lounge

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$276,000 - $406,000

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