Bubble Tea Franchise Costs 2026: 6 Brands' FDD Fees Compared

As of October 14, 2026, four of these six bubble tea brands disclose royalties in 2026 FDDs: Kung Fu Tea, Gong cha, Feng Cha and Sharetea. Chatime’s available FDD is dated April 21, 2025; no Happy Lemon FDD was found at Restaurant Finance Monitor or Minnesota CARDS in the October 14 check.

Looking only for the lowest entry cost? See the cheapest boba tea franchise ranking.

FDD-based bubble tea franchise cost comparison

The table compares single-unit Item 7 estimates, from the lowest to highest standalone investment, excluding multi-unit development commitments. Kung Fu Tea’s standard-shop range supplies both the lowest and highest standalone figures; its non-traditional range falls within those bounds. The issuance column distinguishes 2026 disclosures from Chatime’s older document and Happy Lemon’s missing FDD. All sources were checked October 14, 2026.

Brand	Franchise fee (Item 5)	Total investment (Item 7, lowest single unit to highest)	Royalty (Item 6, with basis)	Ad/marketing fund (Item 6)	FDD issued
Kung Fu Tea	$37,000; $25,000 for existing franchisees or non-traditional units	$169,000 to $378,000 (standalone standard shop)	4% of Gross Sales	2% of Gross Sales	April 20, 2026; revised July 6, 2026
Gong cha	$37,000	$207,450 to $648,460 (single store)	6% of weekly Net Sales	1% of weekly Net Sales; may rise to 2% with 90 days’ prior written notice	March 25, 2026
Feng Cha	$30,000	$206,925 to $582,710 (single franchise)	5% of Gross Revenue	Brand development fund: currently 1%, up to 2% of Gross Revenue	March 23, 2026
Sharetea	$12,000	$275,600 to $606,400 (single tea shop)	6% of Gross Monthly Sales, minimum $1,200/month	Percentage of Gross Monthly Sales not yet determined; payable if fund established	March 5, 2026
Chatime	$54,900	$293,100 to $479,900 (single store)	5% of Gross Sales	2% of Gross Sales	April 21, 2025; 2026 Minnesota renewal shows Order of Withdrawal - 120 Day
Happy Lemon	No FDD found	No FDD found; site lists $150,000 liquidity / $450,000 net worth only	No FDD found	No FDD found	None found at Restaurant Finance Monitor or Minnesota CARDS as of October 14, 2026

Fill the gaps these brands leave

Our free comparison spreadsheet has the Item 5, 6 and 7 columns to complete from each FDD you request. Plus the due-diligence kit.

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Kung Fu Tea’s format distinction matters. Its standalone non-traditional range is $184,000 to $269,500. Its lower dual-concept range of $164,000 to $373,000 covers only the tea shop when paired with TKK Fried Chicken or Yasubee Ramen; the companion franchise costs are disclosed separately. It is not a complete two-brand budget. The low standalone estimates use the $25,000 franchise fee; a new standard-shop franchisee pays $37,000.

Happy Lemon’s missing FDD is a search result, not proof that no FDD exists. Its lead page supplies candidate liquidity and net worth requirements, not a disclosed opening budget. Those qualifications cannot fill the Item 5, 6 or 7 cells.

Compare the royalty base and advertising obligations

A percentage alone does not tell you which receipts are charged. Kung Fu Tea’s Gross Sales excludes sales tax. Gong cha’s Net Sales excludes customer refunds and sales tax collected and remitted. Sharetea’s Gross Monthly Sales excludes taxes collected for payment to tax authorities. Feng Cha’s Gross Revenues includes sales taxes and business-interruption insurance, but excludes customer refunds and adjustments.

Chatime’s 2025 Item 6 includes business-interruption insurance in Gross Sales and excludes specified taxes paid to taxing authorities, customer refunds, adjustments and promotional discounts. Its brand marketing fee is separate from its required local marketing expenditure of at least 2% of Gross Sales.

The table does not include every advertising obligation. Feng Cha’s Item 6 permits cooperative marketing charges up to 2% of monthly Gross Revenues if a cooperative is formed; Item 11 requires local advertising of at least 1% of monthly Gross Revenue, which may rise to 2%. Gong cha can require regional cooperative contributions up to 2% of Net Sales, or more if members vote for it. Sharetea’s Item 11 says no marketing fund currently exists and describes approximately 3% of Gross Monthly Revenues, or another stated percentage, if one is established. That is not a current fixed fee.

Use the Item 6 guide to compare recurring charges alongside these definitions.

Brands with something moving underneath them

Gong cha: Item 1 of its March 25, 2026 FDD describes the May 1, 2023 US restructuring: Gong cha USA Franchising, LLC became the US franchisor, and Gong cha USA Product Supplier, LLC became the US product supplier. It also states that, as of February 12, 2026, the franchisor bought out DRSAM USA LLC’s master-franchise rights, terminated its master agreement and purchased certain assets for the territory covering Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas. Subfranchise agreements were assigned to the franchisor; affiliates took over stores operated by DRSAM and its affiliates. Source: March 25, 2026 FDD, Item 1.

Chatime: The Minnesota CARDS record checked October 14, 2026 shows an “Order of Withdrawal - 120 Day” for its 2026 renewal, document 36341-202604-11, received April 29, 2026 and added September 25, 2026. The table uses the April 21, 2025 FDD, not a 2026 disclosure. This Minnesota entry does not establish availability in another state. Source: Chatime Minnesota registry record.

Kung Fu Tea: The April 20, 2026 FDD, revised July 6, 2026, states under Special Risks to Consider:

Turnover Rate. In the last year, a large number of franchised outlets (88) were terminated, not renewed, transferred ownership to someone other than the franchisor or ceased operations for other reasons. This franchise could be a higher risk investment than a franchise in a system with a lower turnover rate.

Source: revised 2026 FDD, Special Risks to Consider.

Equipment most boba franchises will specify

Item 8 in the cited FDDs sets purchasing restrictions, including purchases from the franchisor, affiliates or approved suppliers. Use these guides to understand the equipment categories, then confirm the required model and approved supplier for the franchise and format before buying.

• Commercial tapioca pearl cooker: cooks tapioca pearls for drink service.
• Bubble tea fructose dispenser: dispenses measured portions of liquid sweetener.
• Boba shaker machine: mechanically shakes capped drink containers.
• Bubble tea cup sealing machine: seals compatible cups with film.

Questions to ask any brand in this category

• What is the royalty rate, and is it charged on gross sales, net sales, or something else defined in the agreement?
• Does the base include or exclude delivery, app orders and sales tax?
• What is the Item 7 range for the specific format I would build in my market?
• Which FDD is currently in force, and does its investment range match your website?
• Is a single unit available here, or are you prioritizing multi-unit developers?
• What does Item 20 show for transfers, terminations and closures over the last three years?
• Who owns the franchisor today, and is any sale or restructuring underway?
• Will a franchise attorney and an accountant review the full FDD with me before I commit?