Led by seasoned franchisees Ajay and Prachi Keshap, the launch marks the start of the premium bubble tea brand’s multi-state growth across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Gong cha, the world’s leading bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations in 30 international markets and over 240 stores in the U.S. across 23 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, is entering the Pacific Northwest for the first time. The brand will debut with a flagship store opening in Seattle’s vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood on Friday, October 3. The milestone marks Gong cha’s official arrival in Washington State and continues the brand’s rapid U.S. expansion toward its goal of surpassing 500 stores nationwide by 2028.
The new location is led by father-daughter team Ajay and Prachi Keshap, Gong cha’s Master Franchisees for Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Ajay is a seasoned franchisor and multi-unit, multi-brand operator with a portfolio of more than 50 restaurants across the region, including the highest-grossing Dave’s Hot Chicken in the world. His daughter, Prachi, an experienced business strategist with a background in retail and supply chain management, is overseeing the Capitol Hill launch and will guide day-to-day operations, while also leading the brand’s broader regional growth. With bubble tea already a staple in the Pacific Northwest, and demand continuing to grow, the Keshaps see significant opportunity to connect with new residents—particularly Gen Z and millennial consumers—with a goal of opening 50 locations across the region in the next five years.
“I approached my dad about adding Gong cha to our portfolio because I’ve seen firsthand how the brand resonates with younger generations,” said Prachi Keshap, Gong cha Master Franchisee. “Capitol Hill was the perfect place to start — it’s where people are always looking for new food and drink experiences, and bubble tea already has a strong following here. We’re thrilled to celebrate with the community during our grand opening, and excited to continue growing the brand across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.”
The Capitol Hill store will stay open late—until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays—creating a new third place for the neighborhood where guests can gather, study, or connect well into the night. In addition to its full bubble tea menu, the store will offer snacks and light bites such as Shin Ramen and bubble waffles in chocolate, matcha, and Oreo flavors, designed to capture Seattle’s late-evening crowd.
The Capitol Hill location will also feature Gong cha’s new Super Wu machine, the brand’s automated drink-making system designed to improve consistency, and create efficiencies that enable store teams to spend more time focused on hospitality and the guest experience. Deeply influenced by the brand’s Asian heritage, Gong cha teams embody these values through thoughtful service — from engaging with guests during the ordering process, to personally handing off drinks using the guest’s name.
“Seattle is an important milestone for Gong cha’s U.S. expansion,” said Geoff Henry, President of Gong cha Americas. “The Pacific Northwest has a strong bubble tea culture, and we’re excited to partner with experienced operators like Ajay and Prachi to grow the brand across the region.”
With its entry into Seattle, Gong cha strengthens its presence in new U.S. markets and reinforces its position as one of the fastest-growing global beverage brands. The company is currently seeking top-tier franchise partners in markets across North America, including Southern California, Nevada, Utah, and the Southeastern U.S., as demand for premium bubble tea continues to rise.
For more information on franchising with Gong cha, visit https://gongchausofficial.com.
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ABOUT GONG CHA
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha is the world’s premier bubble tea brand. Its commitment to quality starts with its name: “Gong cha” means to offer the best tea to the emperor from all of one’s possessions. From the most seasoned bubble tea connoisseur to a first-timer, Gong cha offers its customers the ability to customize their beverage to their exact specifications and never sacrifices flavor or technique. With its premium product, simple and scalable operational model, and strong corporate support, Gong cha is one of the fastest-growing bubble tea brands in the U.S and internationally, with nearly 2,200 locations in 30 international markets. Since 2014 Gong cha has opened more than 240 stores in the U.S. across 23 states and Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico and is on track to exceed more than 500 stores in the Americas by 2028. Gong cha was ranked #1 in the Tea category in Entrepreneur magazine’s prestigious Franchise 500® list for the fourth consecutive year (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022); ranked #140 on Franchise Times’ Top 400 List of the largest U.S. based franchise systems by global systemwide sales (2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021); ranked #9 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers List honoring brands leading the industry (2025); awarded category winner of Top Food & Beverage Franchises in the Global Franchise Awards (2025); and named one of QSR Magazine’s 17 Best Restaurant Franchising Deals for 2023. For more, please visit gongchausofficial.com.
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Ashley Martinez, Carbonate Group
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