Bawang Cha Ji App Crashes Amidst "Buy One, Get One Free" Promotion
Chinese tea drink chain Bawang Cha Ji experienced technical failures with its ordering app due to overwhelming demand. The crash occurred during a "buy one, get one free" promotion launched to celebrate an ambassador's victory.
Bawang Cha Ji, a popular Chinese tea drink chain, encountered significant technical difficulties with its mobile ordering application on October 12th. The company's app crashed due to an unprecedented surge in user traffic, triggered by a limited-time "buy one, get one free" promotion.
The promotion was launched to celebrate the victory of tennis player Zheng Qinwen, who serves as a brand ambassador for Bawang Cha Ji, at the China Open. The overwhelming response led to the app becoming unresponsive, preventing many customers from placing orders. Staff at various outlets reported extremely busy conditions and long queues, with one Beijing store processing over 200 orders within the first 40 minutes of opening.
According to company statements, the app is currently undergoing repairs. The "buy one, get one free" offer is exclusively available through the Bawang Cha Ji app for dine-in and takeaway orders. Other third-party platforms are not participating in this specific promotion.
The campaign commemorates Zheng Qinwen's historic win at the China Open, where she became the first Chinese woman to win the singles title on home soil and secured her first WTA1000 championship. The promotion runs for a single day, October 12th, 2026, and applies to most of the chain's locations nationwide, excluding select airport, high-speed rail, and scenic spot outlets.