How Long Does It Take To Open A Bubble Tea Shop?

Five colourful bubble tea drinks on a wooden table.

Thinking of Opening a Bubble Tea Shop? Here's What You Actually Need to Know

Opening a bubble tea shop sounds fun (and it is!), but it’s not as simple as just loving boba and hoping others will too. It takes careful planning, solid resources, and a bit of business brain to get things moving in the right direction. The whole process – from idea to opening day – usually takes somewhere between 6 to 12 months. That might feel like a long time, but trust me, if you want a smooth launch and long-term success, it's worth every week.

Let’s break it down stage by stage with some real-world tips to help you dodge the usual headaches. Barista working inside a rustic wooden bubble tea shop.

Pre-Opening Checklist

Before you do anything, take time to think about what you actually want to create. What kind of vibe will your bubble tea shop have? What’s going to make it different to all the others?

  • Who are you targeting? Students? Young professionals? Families with kids?

  • What’s your brand like? Playful and colourful? Minimal and modern? Chill and cosy?

Once that’s figured out, build your business plan around it. Include things like startup costs, running costs, how much you want to make, and how you’ll grow. Not only does this help you stay on track, but it also makes it way easier to get funding if you need it.

Market Research & Finding the Right Spot

This is where you put on your detective hat. Look into the local area:

  • Is there a demand for bubble tea already?

  • Who else is doing it nearby? What are they doing well (or not so well)?

  • Are there spots with high foot traffic that fit your budget?

Spend a good month or two on this. And don’t just do it once. Check back in every few months because trends change fast, especially with younger crowds.

Money & Legal Bits

You’ll need some money behind you. How much depends on how big your dream is. You might be self-funding, or you could look at loans, investors, or crowdfunding.

Also, and this part’s important, get your legal administration sorted early:

  • Register your business name.

  • Get all the licences and permits sorted (especially food safety).

Make sure your budget covers these bits. Unexpected fees are the worst. Sorting this parts can take up to 3 months, depending on where you are and how quick your council is.

Designing the Shop

This part is fun but can be stressful if you’re not organised. You want a space that’s:

  • Easy to move around in (especially during busy times).

  • On-brand. The decor, colours, signage… everything should feel “you”.

  • Comfortable. Even if it’s just a takeaway spot, make it pleasant for people who are waiting.

Give yourself at least 1 to 2 months for this, especially if any building work is needed.

Equipment & Ingredients 

Your drinks are only as good as your tools and ingredients. Make sure you’ve got the essentials:

  • Tea brewers, sealers, dispensers, blenders… All the gear that helps you make consistent drinks quickly.

  • Good quality ingredients. It’s tempting to go cheap, but if your matcha tastes like chalk, customers won’t come back. Find a reliable supplier (like Taipec) and build that relationship.

Getting everything in place usually takes 1 to 2 months, so don’t leave it too late.

Hire a Team You Actually Like Working With

You’ll need friendly, efficient staff who can handle peak times and still smile at customers. Hire people who care. You can teach them the drink-making stuff, but you can’t teach someone to care.

Start hiring 2 months before launch so you’ve got time to train everyone properly, especially if they’re new to boba.

Five colourful bubble tea drinks on a wooden table.

Final Touches Before Opening

Your Menu

This is where you get creative. You want a mix of:

  • Classic crowd-pleasers. Think taro, brown sugar, Thai tea.

  • Fun, seasonal specials. Halloween, Christmas, even summer collabs.

  • Options for everyone. Vegan milks, low-sugar versions, fruity refreshers for people who aren’t into milk tea.

Test, test, and test again. You want every drink to taste great and look good on camera (social media is everything these days).

Marketing

No one’s going to turn up if they don’t know you exist. Build hype at least 3–4 weeks before you open.

  • Post behind-the-scenes stuff on Instagram or TikTok.

  • Work with local influencers or nearby businesses.

  • Run a soft launch event to test everything and get people talking.

And keep posting regularly after opening. It’s not about being “perfect”. Just be real, be active, and show people what makes your shop fun.

Woman holding bubble tea with popping pearls.

In Summary

Opening a bubble tea shop isn’t just about drinks. It’s about building a brand, a vibe, and a community. It does take time, effort, and a lot of moving parts, but if you stay organised and keep your passion at the heart of what you’re doing, it’s more than doable.

And remember, you don’t need to do everything all at once. Start with what you can manage, learn as you go, and build up over time. Every great shop starts with a simple idea and the courage to go for it.