Gong cha Ranks 129 on Franchise Times Top 400 List
Bubble tea brand Gong cha has been ranked No. 129 on the Franchise Times Top 400 list, with its sales growth more than doubling the industry average.
BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2026 – Global bubble tea brand Gong cha has secured the No. 129 spot on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 list, an advance of five positions from its previous ranking. The annual ranking assesses the largest franchise systems in the U.S. by global systemwide sales.
Gong cha reported an 8.8% increase in global systemwide sales for 2025. This growth rate significantly outpaced the combined sales growth of 4.3% recorded by brands featured on this year's Top 400 list, which collectively generated $784.6 billion in annual sales.
The recognition coincides with Gong cha's expansion efforts in the Americas. Through multi-unit franchise agreements and the introduction of new store formats, the company aims to exceed 500 locations across the Americas by 2028. Investments in its "Gong cha 2.0" operating model are supporting this growth, focusing on efficiency and consistency.
"We are concentrating our investment on building the next phase of Gong cha's growth by improving efficiency and consistency across the franchise system," stated Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas. The brand is expanding into non-traditional locations, including its first U.S. airport store in Phoenix and increased presence at universities, to reach customers in high-traffic areas.