Gong cha to open first U.S. airport location
Taiwan-based bubble tea chain Gong cha is expanding its U.S. footprint – and that now includes non-traditional formats.
The chain is expanding into airports with a new location planned for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The store is expected to open by the end of 2026, and represents the brand's first airport location in the U.S.
Designed around the company's Gong cha 2.0 operating platform, introduced earlier this year, Gong cha says the airport format is designed to “maximize throughput while minimizing operational complexity.” The model supports flexible footprints ranging from approximately 150 to 600 square feet, including kiosks and compact inline formats, while leveraging automation technology capable of producing beverages in under one minute with just one to two employees per shift.
The location will be operated in partnership with Kind Hospitality, an experienced airport and hospitality operator led by president and CEO Nava Singam.
"Airports are a natural evolution for Gong cha as we continue expanding into high-traffic, non-traditional environments," said Michael Nedelkovich, VP of U.S. non-traditional franchise development. "Our model was intentionally designed for operational efficiency, flexibility, and speed, making it especially well-suited for airport settings where consumers expect premium quality and convenience without long wait times. This opening represents an exciting opportunity to introduce more travelers to the Gong cha brand while continuing to build scalable growth across multiple formats."
Gong cha operates more than 240 locations across 24 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico with more stores in the works. The brand recently signed a 50-unit development deal to grow its footprint in Texas, helping it move towards its goal of exceeding 500 stores in the Americas by 2028.
"Gong cha has evolved significantly over the past few years, not just as a brand, but as an operating platform," added Nedelkovich. "We've invested heavily in building a model that can support growth in a much broader range of environments while still protecting the product quality, speed and consistency that matter most to consumers."
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Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha operates nearly 2,200 locations in 33 international markets.
