Cupp reportedly has several international master agreements in place | Photo credit: Cupp

UK bubble tea chain Cupp is seeking to reach 50 outlets across the UK by the end of the year, with international expansion expected to begin in 2024. 
 

Cupp, which opened its first site in 2012, now operates 31 outlets across the UK with at least four new stores set to open by July 2023, including locations in Nottingham and Aberdeen. 

The bubble tea chain has several international master agreements in place and is actively seeking international master partners, according to Propel. India, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, the US and Canada have been cited as potential markets. 

CEO Lee Peacock founded Cupp following a trip to Taiwan, where bubble tea originated in the 1980s, and initially introduced the Cupp bubble tea shop concept in a converted van and shipping container in Bristol. 

Cupp is not the only bubble tea chain eyeing international growth following increased consumer demand for the beverage. 

In August 2022, Gong cha cited it's Belgium debut as an ‘important strategic step’ towards further European expansion, with the international bubble tea chain also seeking to operate 500 outlets in the US by 2025. 

Meanwhile Malaysian bubble tea giant Tealive debuted in Canada in November 2022 and is targeting 1,000 Tealive stores across Malaysia within two years. 

In February 2023, Taiwanese bubble tea chain Chun Fun How opened its first UK store in London amid plans to ‘advance the bubble tea experience’ across the country. Chun Fun How currently operates 35 outlets globally across Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Canada.