Kung Fu Tea Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Bubble tea franchise serving a wide range of tea-based beverages, including milk teas and fruit teas, with customizable sweetness and toppings.

Established in 2010 in Flushing, Queens, New York, Kung Fu Tea has rapidly ascended to become the largest bubble tea brand in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, the company began franchising in 2011 and has since expanded to over 350 locations nationwide.

Kung Fu Tea specializes in a diverse array of beverages, including bubble teas, milk teas, slushes, punches, and yogurt-based drinks. The brand distinguishes itself by emphasizing freshly brewed teas, customizable sweetness and ice levels, and a commitment to authentic flavors.

This dedication to quality and innovation has solidified Kung Fu Tea's position as a leader in the competitive bubble tea market.

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.

Kung Fu Tea offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Unit Initial Investment
Kung Fu Tea Nontraditional Unit $184,000 to $269,500
Kung Fu Tea Standard Unit $169,000 to $378,000

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Kung Fu Tea Standard Unit.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial franchise fee $25,000 – $37,000
Training fee $12,500
Equipment from our affiliate $6,500 – $7,500
Other equipment, furniture, fixtures and signage $30,000 – $40,000
Computers, printer, fax, and other hardware and business software $2,500 – $5,000
Prepaid rent and security deposit $5,000 – $40,000
Leasehold improvements and architectural costs $40,000 – $150,000
Interior design (3D rendering of shop) $3,500 – $5,000
Initial inventory of tea, coffee, cups, menu boards, and packaging materials $15,000 – $25,000
Initial marketing program $5,000
Insurance – liability and workers compensation – initial deposit $5,000 – $20,000
Travel, living expenses and salaries during initial training $4,000 – $5,000
Legal and accounting fees $5,000 – $6,000
Additional funds – first month $10,000 – $20,000
Total $169,000 – $378,000

Kung Fu Tea offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Unit Initial Investment
Kung Fu Tea Nontraditional Unit $184,000 to $269,500
Kung Fu Tea Standard Unit $169,000 to $378,000

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Kung Fu Tea Standard Unit.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial franchise fee $25,000 – $37,000
Training fee $12,500
Equipment from our affiliate $6,500 – $7,500
Other equipment, furniture, fixtures and signage $30,000 – $40,000
Computers, printer, fax, and other hardware and business software $2,500 – $5,000
Prepaid rent and security deposit $5,000 – $40,000
Leasehold improvements and architectural costs $40,000 – $150,000
Interior design (3D rendering of shop) $3,500 – $5,000
Initial inventory of tea, coffee, cups, menu boards, and packaging materials $15,000 – $25,000
Initial marketing program $5,000
Insurance – liability and workers compensation – initial deposit $5,000 – $20,000
Travel, living expenses and salaries during initial training $4,000 – $5,000
Legal and accounting fees $5,000 – $6,000
Additional funds – first month $10,000 – $20,000
Total $169,000 – $378,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Kung Fu Tea offers a comprehensive training program to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to operate their stores effectively. This program includes both on-the-job and classroom training, each lasting approximately 80 hours.

The training covers various aspects of the business, such as:

  • Product Preparation: Learning the techniques for crafting the brand's signature beverages to maintain consistent quality across all locations.
  • Store Operations: Understanding daily operational procedures, including inventory management, equipment maintenance, and customer service standards.
  • Marketing and Sales: Gaining insights into effective marketing strategies and sales techniques to attract and retain customers.
  • Financial Management: Acquiring knowledge on managing finances, including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.

Territory Protection

Kung Fu Tea provides its franchisees with exclusive territorial rights, ensuring that no other franchisee can operate within a designated area. This exclusivity helps franchisees build a loyal customer base without direct competition from the same brand nearby.

The size and boundaries of each territory are determined based on factors like population density and market potential. This strategic approach aims to balance market saturation and franchisee success, fostering a supportive environment for business growth.

Competitors

Below are some of

Kung Fu Tea

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

385

New
+
14%
14%

$37,000

$169,000

$378,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Tastea

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.

Franchisees

?

25
+
25%
25%
Investment

?

$252,000 - $1,392,000

Tom n Toms Coffee

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.

Franchisees

?

12
+
71%
71%
Investment

?

$370,000 - $487,000

Feng Cha

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.

Franchisees

?

72
+
188%
188%
Investment

?

$194,000 - $512,000

illy

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.

Franchisees

?

17
+
31%
31%
Investment

?

$402,000 - $2,006,000

Ding Tea

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.

Franchisees

?

135
+
16%
16%
Investment

?

$195,000 - $324,000

Qahwah House

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.

Franchisees

?

18
+
500%
500%
Investment

?

$573,000 - $939,000