Singapore – Bubble tea brand Gong cha has temporarily closed all its stores in Singapore, with plans to return in 2026 under a refreshed brand and a new franchise partnership.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, GongCha has grown into one of the most recognisable names in the bubble tea industry. The brand first expanded overseas in 2009 and now operates more than 2,100 stores across over 28 markets.
In an official statement, Gong cha Global confirmed that it has decided not to renew its agreement with its incumbent master franchisee. The company further confirmed its relaunch in Singapore in 2026 with new local franchise partners.
The relaunch will introduce ‘Gong cha 2.0’, the brand’s updated store concept that has already been implemented in South Korea and Japan. The new format aims to modernise the traditional bubble tea model through a scalable and adaptable design supported by technology that reduces customer wait times and enhances overall experience.
Last year, the company began the global rollout of Gong cha 2.0, describing it as a platform designed to evolve its store operations while creating a more welcoming environment for customers.
In a message to Gong cha fans, Paul Reynish, global CEO of Gong cha, said the temporary closure is “not a goodbye, but rather a ‘see you soon! ’”
“We will be back in 2026 with an even bolder, more innovative and more exciting proposition,” he said.
“We believe we’ve cracked the code with Gong cha 2.0, our award-winning technology-led store design. We have seen fantastic results in Japan and South Korea, with customer wait times significantly reduced, higher repeat visits, and overall customer satisfaction levels up. Next year, we’ll bring this concept to Singapore and relaunch our ambitious plans to scale in the market alongside new franchisees. This will give us a really strong platform to realise our growth potential in this fantastic market and build a market-leading position,” Reynish explained.
He added, “I’d like to thank the hard work and commitment of our colleagues in Singapore over the years, who have helped us deliver fantastic service and show consumers how tea is meant to be.”
