Gong cha, a global bubble tea brand, is getting ready to open its first U.S. airport location in Phoenix at 3400 Sky Harbor Blvd.
The new location at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is expected to open by the end of 2026 and will be operated in partnership with Kind Hospitality, led by President and CEO Nava Singam, according to a press release. The Phoenix location will mark Gong cha’s first airport location in the U.S. Customers can expect Gong cha’s customizable tea and beverage menu, including milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and toppings.
The Phoenix location will use Gong cha’s 2.0 operating platform, which the company introduced earlier in 2026. The airport format is designed for footprints ranging from approximately 150 to 600 square feet, including kiosks and compact inline locations. The company says its automation technology can produce beverages in under one minute, with the format designed to operate with one to two employees per shift.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha has expanded to nearly 2,200 locations across 33 international markets. The brand entered North America in 2016 and has since grown to more than 240 locations across 24 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Gong cha is also on track to exceed 500 stores across the Americas by 2028. The company is currently seeking airport and other non-traditional development partners in the U.S.
Gong cha’s menu centers on customizable tea-based beverages, with customers choosing a category, tea base, temperature, sweetness level, and toppings. Tea options include black, oolong, green, and Earl Grey, while menu categories include All Day Tea, Milk Tea, Fruit Tea, Smoothies, and Creations. Toppings include pearls, milk foam, pudding, and jellies.
The company says its tea is made with whole-leaf teas that are freshly brewed in stores. Its offerings include Black Tea with Milk Foam, Black Tea, Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Green Tea with Milk Foam, and Oolong Tea with Milk Foam. Gong cha has also ranked No. 1 in the Tea category of Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for five consecutive years, from 2022 through 2026.
“Airports are a natural evolution for Gong cha as we continue expanding into high-traffic, non-traditional environments,” Michael Nedelkovich, Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development, said in a press release. “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.”
