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Thirstea Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Thirstea offers a variety of bubble tea beverages, providing a refreshing and customizable drink experience with high-quality ingredients.

ThirsTea is a fast-casual beverage franchise specializing in bubble tea, smoothies, milkshakes, slushies, and rolled ice cream. Founded in 2019 in Temecula, California, by Keerthy Sunder and Sonny Paul, the brand has rapidly expanded, launching its franchising program in 2023.

With its headquarters at 27287 Nicolas Rd., Temecula, CA 92591, ThirsTea has established a presence in multiple U.S. states and is seeking to grow internationally. ThirsTea offers a diverse menu that includes classic milk teas, fruit-infused teas, smoothies, milkshakes, slushies, and rolled ice creams.

Customers can customize their drinks by choosing sugar levels, toppings, and milk types, catering to various dietary preferences. The brand emphasizes quality by sourcing premium ingredients, including freshly brewed teas, organic milk options, and natural fruit flavors.

What sets ThirsTea apart is its commitment to innovation and customer engagement. The franchise regularly updates its menu with seasonal and limited-edition flavors, keeping the offerings fresh and exciting.

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 $35,000
Travel/Living Expenses While Training $2,500 - $4,000
Furniture and Fixtures $10,000 - $20,000
Signage $3,000 - $6,000
Equipment $35,000 - $45,000
Business Management and Technology System $3,700
Three Month’s Rent $2,500 - $13,500
Opening Inventory and Supplies $15,000 - $20,000
Utility Deposits $1,500 - $2,500
Business Licenses $1,000 - $1,500
Professional Fees $3,500 - $7,500
Leasehold Improvements $35,000 - $55,000
Insurance $400 - $3,000
Grand Opening Marketing $5,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $25,000 - $35,000
Total $177,600 - $256,200
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $35,000
Travel/Living Expenses While Training $2,500 - $4,000
Furniture and Fixtures $10,000 - $20,000
Signage $3,000 - $6,000
Equipment $35,000 - $45,000
Business Management and Technology System $3,700
Three Month’s Rent $2,500 - $13,500
Opening Inventory and Supplies $15,000 - $20,000
Utility Deposits $1,500 - $2,500
Business Licenses $1,000 - $1,500
Professional Fees $3,500 - $7,500
Leasehold Improvements $35,000 - $55,000
Insurance $400 - $3,000
Grand Opening Marketing $5,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $25,000 - $35,000
Total $177,600 - $256,200

Thirstea

2023

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Thirstea by Brain Tune Cafe offers a structured set of training programs to prepare franchisees for operating a Boba Tea Shop. The training and support are delivered before and during business operations, as outlined below:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Franchisees are required to enroll in and complete training programs prior to opening their shop. These programs cover essential operational skills needed to manage the franchise effectively.
  2. Operating Assistance
    Ongoing guidance is provided for food and beverage preparation, packaging, administrative tasks, and inventory control. This ensures the franchisee adheres to brand standards and can handle daily operations smoothly.
  3. Problem-Solving Support
    The franchisor offers advice on operating issues identified through reports or inspections. This support helps maintain operational quality across all locations.
  4. Additional Training Programs
    Franchisees may be required to attend further training sessions beyond the initial program. These are designed to address new practices or reinforce existing standards.

Territory Protection

Thirstea by Brain Tune Cafe offers a form of territory protection through a designated “Protected Territory,” as outlined in its Franchise Agreement. Franchisees are granted a non-exclusive right to operate a Boba Tea Shop within this specified area, and the franchisor agrees not to open or license another Thirstea location there as long as the franchisee complies with all terms.

This provides a certain level of operational security within the outlined boundaries.

However, this protection comes with several exceptions. The franchisor reserves the right to open outlets or authorize operations at Non-Traditional Sites like airports, stadiums, hospitals, and campuses, even within the Protected Territory.

Competitors

Below are some of

Thirstea

key competitors in the

Coffee & Tea

sector.

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

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$178,000

$256,000

n.a.

$439,000

$xxx,xxx

72.9%

xx%

n.a.

23.4%

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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