How to start a bubble tea business in the UK
How to set up a bubble tea business in the UK
In order to deep dive in what is necessary for setting up a bubble tea business in the UK, we have to look at several things like the UK bubble tea market landscape, business planning and legal considerations, essential equipment, sourcing ingredients, staff training, and marketing.
The UK Bubble Tea Market
The UK has seen a strong rise in bubble tea’s popularity, with the drink evolving from a niche import into a mainstream favourite across diverse age groups. This growth reflects a wider global trend, as the bubble tea market was valued at around USD 2.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately USD 5.0 billion by 2033, driven by franchise expansion, social media influence, and changing consumer tastes. Industry reports show that countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States now view bubble tea as an everyday beverage rather than a novelty. In the UK specifically, this creates significant opportunities for businesses, especially since startup costs are typically lower than for restaurants or bars, thanks to smaller space requirements and the option to integrate bubble tea into existing cafés or food outlets. Understanding local consumer preferences and market trends therefore plays a key role in successfully positioning a bubble tea business within this fast growing and competitive market.
Business Planning and Legal Considerations
A clear business plan forms the foundation of starting a bubble tea business in the UK. You need to define your goals, identify your target customers, analyse the local market, and prepare realistic financial projections. Choosing the right location is equally important. Many successful shops open on busy high streets or near schools and universities, where demand from students and young consumers is strongest.
You also need to pay close attention to legal requirements before launching. Make sure you understand the licences, food safety rules, and local council regulations that apply to food and drink businesses. Stay informed about policies on ingredients, allergen labelling, packaging, and plastic use, as these can change and directly affect operations. For example, recent UK plastic restrictions have required many bubble tea shops to adjust their materials and suppliers. Careful research and compliance from the start will help you avoid costly mistakes and protect your business reputation.
Essential Equipment
When starting a bubble tea business in the UK, you will need a mix of basic preparation tools and a few key machines. Many of the essentials are simple items you may already have if you run a café or food outlet. To brew tea properly, you will need tea leaves, teapots, brewing pots, strainers, and thermal tea dispensers that keep tea hot for up to six hours. For drink preparation, shops typically use shaker cups, syrup ladles, syrup pumps, powder spoons, tapioca ladles for toppings, and mixing spoons. You will also need an ice machine, as well as cups, lids and straws for serving. If your budget allows, you can invest in machines that speed up operations, such as automatic shaking machines, cup sealers, fructose dispensers, homogenisers, and blenders. To get a full understanding of everything required, you can read our detailed blog on essential bubble tea equipment for businesses.
Sourcing Ingredients
Sourcing the right ingredients starts with choosing a supplier you can trust. You should always know exactly what goes into your teas, syrups and toppings, as well as their dietary certifications. This helps you confidently serve a wide range of customers with different needs. All of our bubble tea products are halal, and most of our range is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. We are also continuing to expand our kosher selection. At present, all of our Bokka products, TO brown sugar tapioca pearls and invert sugar syrup are fully kosher certified. It is equally important to understand allergens when selecting ingredients, so we recommend reviewing our blog on the 14 allergens recognised in the UK and EU.
With more than 17 years of experience, we combine Taiwanese-imported products with locally produced items from our UK factory. Our facility lets us make flavoured syrups and popping bobas in house. This gives us full control over ingredients, quality, and processes. We continue to expand our range so businesses can access both authentic imports and carefully made local products from a single specialised supplier.
Staff training
It is important to equip your staff with the essential skills for preparing tasty bubble teas. Training not only involves how to make the drinks but also getting the staff to understand how to store and taste test products so that they have the right taste and texture. Take a look at the bubble tea training Taipec can offer your business.
You can check out our Youtube Channel and Tiktok for tutorials on how to brew tea, make drinks and set up your sealing machine.
Marketing
Every bubble tea shop is different in its own way. They build a strong brand identity through their logo, customisation of bubble tea cups, store decoration, social media pages or even loyalty cards. This is essential in getting customers hooked and to remember them. Utilising holidays is also a great opportunity for marketing and to introduce fun and Instagrammable drinks with creative names.
Social media is key to growth as it is the fastest way of getting more people to know more about you and to update them with new menus and discounts. TikTok is an increasingly popular social media platform for bubble tea as there are many creative video ideas that can go viral. These involve employees showing how to make drinks or doing challenges or trends.
Continued Support and Growth with Taipec
We offer a 5-15% wholesale discount on our online prices and exclusive products for trade account customers. We also provide bubble tea training. Training can be done at your site in London or online for those outside the city. During training, we cover everything from setup to recommending popular flavours. Starting a bubble tea business in the UK is an exciting opportunity for growth and success. With Taipec as your partner, you get high-quality ingredients, equipment, and ongoing support. We are here to help make your journey smooth and prosperous. We wish you the best of luck!
Summary
To set up a bubble tea business in the UK, start by understanding the market. Bubble tea has grown into a mainstream drink, popular with students and young consumers, creating strong opportunities for new businesses. Startup costs are often lower than for restaurants, and shops can operate in smaller spaces or within existing cafés. Begin with a clear business plan that defines your goals, target audience, pricing, and financial projections. Choosing the right location is key, with high streets or areas near schools and universities being ideal. You also need to meet legal requirements, including business registration, food safety rules, licences, and compliance with allergen, packaging, and plastic regulations.
Next, focus on equipment, ingredients, staff, and marketing. Essential equipment includes tea brewing tools, preparation utensils, cups, and machines like ice makers, hot water boilers, and cup sealers. Sourcing high-quality ingredients from reliable suppliers ensures consistent taste and product safety. Staff training is equally important, as it guarantees that drinks are prepared correctly every time. Strong branding helps attract customers, and a solid social media presence keeps them engaged. You can use creative campaigns, loyalty schemes, and trends to stand out in the market. By carefully planning and managing each of these areas, a bubble tea business in the UK can launch successfully. It can also grow steadily in a competitive, fast-evolving market.