Gong cha Climbs Nearly 40 Spots in Entrepreneur magazine’s Highly Competitive Franchise 500® List

Gong Cha
Published: January 14th, 2026

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gong cha improved its ranking in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® by 39 spots. For over 45 years, achieving placement on the annual Entrepreneur Franchise 500® has been a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, recognizing outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

“Earning #1 in our category for the fifth consecutive year—and climbing over 150 spots in the Franchise 500® ranking in just two years—reinforces the strength and trajectory of the Gong cha brand,” says Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas. “It reflects a business that’s growing with intention, and a franchise network that’s deeply invested in long-term success. We’re heading into 2026 with a renewed commitment to innovation, efficiency, and growth, and have some exciting announcements on this front coming soon.”

Gong cha’s success can be attributed to several distinct factors including:

• Premium Quality Products: Gong cha sources its teas from the finest estates across Asia, prepares the tea and tapioca pearls fresh in each store throughout the day, and offers customers the ability to customize their beverage to their exact specifications—with over 600 possible combinations of toppings, ice, and sweetness levels available.
• Simple & Scalable Operational Model: Gong cha shops require only a moderate capital investment and minimal buildout. Equipment costs are low thanks to efficient use of space and limited food preparation requirements, virtually all ingredients have a long shelf life (so there’s very little waste), and it’s a low cost of goods with high margins.
• Strong Corporate Support: Gong cha provides its franchisees with access to a fully built-out supply chain—with the highest quality ingredients sourced and shipped directly from Taiwan, assistance identifying optimal store locations, and robust consumer marketing and advertising programs.

SOURCE Gong Cha