How to open a bubble tea shop in the UK?

Originating in Taiwan, bubble tea is a phenomenon that’s rapidly gained popularity across the globe. In the UK, the sweet drinks are on trend and set to stay that way, making it a fantastic time to open a bubble tea shop of your own. With the right approach, this fun, fashionable establishment could provide access to a wealth of profit. 

This guide will take you through the important steps needed to help you start your bubble tea journey in the UK.

How to choose the perfect location for your bubble tea shop

Location is always critical, but especially when it comes to tapping the retail market for bubble tea. These drinks are popular with a younger audience, especially students and young professionals. To capture this market, it’s important to open your shop in an area with high foot traffic. Some popular options are university towns, shopping centres or busy high streets.

Carefully consider factors such as the accessibility and visibility of your location. Shopfronts that are highly visible will increase exposure and draw in more customers. Fully evaluate the nearby competition as well to make sure your bubble tea shop is the only one in the area to give you an advantage.

Any budding entrepreneur is hoping to have plenty of customers, so ensure your location of choice has room to seat them all, as well as space to hold all the necessary stock. If your budget doesn’t allow for a big seating area, tap into the takeaway market. Developing relationships with food delivery platforms is a must for smaller shopfronts.

Key ingredients and equipment for making bubble tea

Nothing is more important in an authentic and delicious boba shop than quality bubble tea ingredients and the correct equipment. Well-made bubble tea typically combines tea, tapioca pearls, milk or milk alternatives and flavourings:

• Tea leaves: Tea is the base of any bubble tea drink. The most popular varieties are jasmine green tea and Assam black tea. High-quality leaves provide a fragrant, slightly bitter base that works in perfect balance with the sweet toppings and flavours.

• Tapioca pearls: Commonly called boba, these chewy pearls are the signature of bubble tea. These balls of tapioca starch come in a variety of colours and flavours. Boba Formosa offers premium tapioca pearls in black, gold and white to meet your menu’s needs.
  

• Equipment: Specialised biodegradable equipment is essential to prepare and serve bubble tea. Your shopping list should include tea brewers, tapioca cookers, sealing machines and thermal dispensers. All of these sustainable options can be found on Boba Formosa as well as consumables, such as cups, straws and sealing films. Starting with high-quality, sustainable equipment is an investment into your shop’s future.

• Powders: Don’t forget powders! Powders are essential for creating milk teas with innovative flavours. Special powders such as aiyu (a plant-based jelly powder), pudding powder, and waffle-mix powder can be used to craft different types of jellies or create creamy and indulgent toppings. Perfect if you want to play with unique textures and tastes, adding exciting new options and customisation for your customers.

• Syrups: From sweet mango and passion fruit to lychee, high-quality syrups create rich, flavourful bases for each bubble tea. These enhance the taste of the order, and leave each customer with a memorable sipping-experience!

• Popping Balls: Popping balls are another must! These add extra texture and fun—and are key to customer’s enjoyment. They come in a variety of vibrant flavours, including mango, lychee, passion fruit, green apple, strawberry, blueberry, whisky, and yoghurt. If you want to transform each sip into an experience, you’ll need these!

• Toppings: Alongside famous popping balls, make sure you include a diverse range of general toppings. Coconut jelly, jelly balls, aloe vera, boiled sweet red beans, grapefruit pulp, diced taro, and whole grapes make excellent picks. Check out the rest on our Cans page.

Crafting a unique bubble tea menu to stand out

Bubble tea is a fast-growing industry, and among the many trendy stores, the real way to stand out is with a unique menu. Strike a balance between classic favourites and innovative combos to keep customers coming back for more.

Classic bubble tea options

Some staples that every bubble tea shop should offer include:

• Traditional milk tea: A true classic made with black tea, milk and tapioca balls. 

• Fruit teas: A more refreshing option combining jasmine green tea or black tea with exciting fruity flavours.

Innovative offerings

To stand out, you can introduce creative flavour combinations and seasonal specials, such as:

• Tiger brown sugar milk: For a really trendy drink, coat the inside of the cup with brown sugar syrup to create a “tiger stripe” effect.

• Popping ball drinks: Brimming with fruity flavour, popping balls add a burst of fun to the drink.

• Slushies and fizzy drinks: Attract customers who may be bored of the same milk or fruit teas with refreshing alternatives in the hotter months.

• Desserts: Tapioca pearls and other signature bubble tea ingredients taste so good, you can also use them as toppings on waffles, ice creams, and other classic desserts. These indulgent bubble tea flavour snacks give customers a one-of-a-kind memorable experience and place you above competitors who don’t offer extras. Plus, they’re delicious!

Customers will never get sick of the same old drinks when they can mix and match toppings and flavours to create their own perfect drink. Train your staff well in flavour combinations and menu developments for an advantage over your competitors.

Creative cocktails & mocktails

Bubble tea ingredients aren’t just an excellent match for tea-based drinks! 

Many inventive bubble tea shops are transforming their much-loved ingredients into cocktails and mocktails, offering customers a chance to enjoy classic evening drinks with their favourite bubble tea-inspired tastes. 

Tapioca pearls, popping balls, and flavoured syrups can all take classic cocktails from good to great, adding a playful twist to classic bar beverages. 

But they don’t all have to include alcohol! Mocktails are just as popular these days, and bubble tea ingredients can complement an AF cocktail just as well as a boozy one. Perfect for social settings and trend-setting bubble tea shops.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have a cocktail shaker and other typical cocktail ingredients to nail this strategy!

Conclusion

It takes careful planning to open a bubble tea shop in the UK, and sometimes also a helping hand. Boba Formosa offers a consultation service to assist with menu design and equipment. This package will help you delight your customers while keeping things cost-effective and efficient.

The beginning of your entrepreneurship journey will leave you a lot to think about — from the location to a menu that makes customers stop in. Business owners need to choose a strategic location and source high-quality ingredients, while investment in reliable equipment is the path to thriving in the bubble tea business.

Want to open a bubble tea shop now? 👉🏻 Contact us!