Just over a week after news broke that an international bubble tea franchise would be expanding to Andover, What Now Boston has learned that another regional outpost is officially in the works.
Local entrepreneur Kelvin Guan has confirmed plans to open his first Gong Cha franchise at 410 Main St in downtown Wakefield. “This spot has been vacant for the past eight years, and the community is happy to see a business finally going in,” he told What Now Boston in a recent phone interview.
Mr. Guan, who previously worked at a car dealership, said he eventually felt the pull toward entrepreneurship and wanted to build something lasting for himself and his children. When he came across Gong Cha, its passionate fan base and creative menu sealed the deal.
“I first encountered the brand and tried their drinks when I was overseas a couple of years ago,” he explained. “After that, I decided I wanted to partner with Gong Cha.”
The franchise is celebrated globally for its premium boba beverages, offering a customizable menu that features flavors like Crème Brûlée Brown Sugar Milk and Peach Green teas, along with smoothies, slushes, tea lattes, and coffee.
Beyond beverages, the brand is beloved for its bubble waffles—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside—available in matcha and chocolate varieties. These sweet treats are often paired with Gong Cha’s signature ice cream combinations, including Dark Chocolate Sorbet, Honey Osmanthus, and Passionfruit Yogurt.
Mr. Guan hinted that the Wakefield location will be among the first to introduce several exciting new food offerings, which are still under wraps. Additionally, the Wakefield and Andover shops will be among the first in Massachusetts to showcase the refreshed Gong Cha 2.0 design, both inside and out.
The cozy 900-square-foot Wakefield shop will seat 16 guests and is tenatively slated to debut in late August 2025, pending permits and completion of the buildout. Once open, Gong Cha will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For a taste of what’s to come, locals can visit several nearby Gong Cha locations throughout Boston, as well as in Somerville, Cambridge, and at the Burlington and North Shore malls.
