Gong cha Rises to No. 129 on Franchise Times' Top 400 With Sales Growth Double the List's Pace

BOSTON, Oct. 2, 2026 // PRNewswire // -- Gong cha has ranked No. 129 on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, advancing five spots from its No. 134 position in 2025. The annual ranking measures the largest franchise systems in the United States by global systemwide sales.

Gong cha's global systemwide sales increased 8.8% in 2025, more than double the growth rate of leading brands in the franchise sector. Together, the systems generated $784.6 billion in annual sales, an increase of $32.5 billion over the prior year.

The recognition comes as Gong cha expands its Americas presence through multi-unit franchise agreements, nontraditional formats, and investments in its Gong cha 2.0 operating model. These initiatives support the brand's goal of exceeding 500 stores in the Americas by 2028.

"Beverage brands need to earn two kinds of loyalty: guests who keep coming back and franchisees who see a reason to keep investing," said Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas. "Sustaining both requires more than a compelling menu. It takes an operating model that can handle customization at scale, support consistent service, and adapt to different real estate opportunities. That's where we're concentrating our investment as we build the next phase of Gong cha's growth."

Gong cha's 2026 franchise development activity includes a 50-unit agreement in Texas with an experienced franchise operator and a three-unit agreement in Southern California. The agreements reflect the brand's focus on working with operators who can develop multiple locations and build a sustained presence within their markets.

Expansion is also extending beyond traditional storefronts. Gong cha recently announced its first U.S. airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and an expanded university presence at the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of California, Berkeley, through its Proud to Serve model.

These formats create additional opportunities to reach guests in places they already visit, while providing different pathways for bringing Gong cha into new markets and high-traffic settings.

"We see significant room to grow beyond traditional stores, and we're going after it with a clear view of what works," said Michael Nedelkovich Jr., Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development at Gong cha. "High traffic gets our attention, but it takes more than that to build a successful location. We're focused on partners who know their markets, formats their teams can execute, and places where Gong cha can become a regular purchase. That's what gives us confidence to scale."

SOURCE Gong cha

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