Gong cha Ventures into Airport Sector with Phoenix Sky Harbor Opening

Gong cha, a globally recognized name in the bubble tea industry, is poised to mark a significant milestone by entering the airport sector. With a vast network of nearly 2,200 outlets spanning 33 international markets, the company is set to launch its inaugural U.S. airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by the close of 2026. This strategic initiative underscores Gong cha's commitment to broadening its footprint beyond conventional retail spaces, focusing on high-traffic, non-traditional venues.

The upcoming airport store will be a collaborative effort with Kind Hospitality, an entity renowned for its extensive experience in airport and hospitality operations, spearheaded by President and CEO Nava Singam. This partnership highlights Gong cha's strategic choice to align with seasoned operators capable of thriving in demanding, high-volume settings. Michael Nedelkovich, Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development, emphasized the natural progression of this expansion, citing airports as ideal environments due to Gong cha's operational efficiency, adaptability, and rapid service delivery, which cater to travelers' demand for quality and convenience without extensive waits.

The new airport model, built upon the recently introduced Gong cha 2.0 operating platform, is engineered for maximum throughput and minimal operational complexity. It supports flexible store formats, ranging from approximately 150 to 600 square feet, including kiosks and compact inline designs. Furthermore, it incorporates automation technology that enables beverage preparation in less than a minute with a lean staff of one to two employees per shift. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for extensive back-of-house infrastructure, such as walk-ins or ventilation systems, making it exceptionally well-suited for the unique demands of airport environments. Nedelkovich added that significant investments have been made to evolve the brand's operating model, ensuring product quality, speed, and consistency are maintained across a broader spectrum of operational settings.

As Gong cha continues its aggressive expansion across the U.S., it actively seeks partnerships with experienced operators and concessionaires to explore additional airport and other non-traditional development opportunities nationwide. Consistently ranked #1 in the Tea category on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list for five consecutive years, Gong cha currently boasts over 240 locations across 24 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, continually expanding through both traditional and innovative formats to meet the increasing demand for premium, customizable tea beverages. This expansion into airports is a testament to the brand's dynamic growth strategy and its ability to adapt to diverse consumer needs and operational challenges, reinforcing its position as a leader in the global beverage market.