Chatime (La Kaffa International Co. Ltd.) Overview
Pro stress-test →Chatime is a Taiwanese global franchise teahouse chain based in Zhubei that is the largest teahouse franchise in the world. It operates 2500+ outlets in 38 countries. Founded in Taiwan in 2005, Chatime is one of the world's leading bubble tea brands, with nearly 1,500 locations across 60+ markets.
Strategic Profile
Pro stress-test →Its expansion and growth model is through franchising. Chatime currently operates 15 locations in the United States, with plans to expand to 25 stores nationwide by the end of 2026. It is the only publicly listed bubble tea company in Taiwan.
Competitive Landscape
Pro stress-test →Kung Fu Tea is the largest U.S. boba franchise by unit count and Entrepreneur's #1-named bubble tea brand. Gong cha brews only fresh tea and bought back 170 U.S. locations from its master franchisee in 2024, targeting 500 Americas locations by 2028. Mixue — the world's largest restaurant chain by store count, with more than 50,000 locations — opened its first U.S. store in Los Angeles in late 2024 and reached New York by 2026, with drinks starting at just a couple of dollars.
Industry Context
Chatime (La Kaffa International Co. Ltd.) operates in Quick-service restaurant / Bubble tea franchise.
Key facts
Founded: 2005 · Headquarters: Taipei, Taiwan