Your First 90 Days as a Bubble Tea Shop Owner: What to Expect and How to Succeed

So, you’ve just opened your bubble tea shop or you’re about to. First of all, congratulations. Starting a business is a big deal and the first 90 days are some of the most important. They are full of learning, adapting and figuring out how to keep everything running smoothly.

We are here to help you get through those first three months with confidence. We’ll walk you through what usually happens in the early days of bubble tea shop ownership. You’ll get real, practical advice across areas like operations, staffing, customer service, stock management and marketing. Whether you are on day one or a few weeks in, there is something here to help you move forward.

Days 1 to 30: Getting Open and Finding Your Rhythm

Your first month is all about finding your feet. You’re opening the doors, welcoming your first customers and getting used to daily routines. Things won’t run how you expected them to. That’s completely normal. In the early days, keep an open mind and be adaptable.

Learn your systems

Your point of sale system is the heart of your operations. Spend time learning how to use it properly so you can track what sells, when your busiest hours are and how to stay on top of inventory.

Train your team well

Even if you have a small team, make sure everyone knows how to make the drinks correctly and how to give great customer service. Good training in the early days makes everything easier later.

Watch what’s happening

Pay close attention to what drinks people are buying, which toppings are popular and what times are the busiest. Customer behaviour will help you plan better.

Keep an eye on stock

Running out of tapioca pearls or milk tea powder in your first week is frustrating. Track stock levels daily and check delivery times with your bubble tea supplier so you can avoid surprises.

This month is all about building your routines, responding quickly when things feel off and learning from every shift. Stay calm, be flexible and write things down as you go. You are building a base that will hold up your whole business.

Days 31 to 60: Improving Systems and Building Consistency

Now that things are ticking along, you’ll probably notice what works and what feels difficult. This is the time to start improving.

Look at your sales reports

You will start to notice which drinks are your best sellers and which ones are not moving. You might want to streamline your menu a little or push certain items more on social media or by hanging up posters in store.

Make daily routines smoother

Find ways to prep ingredients faster, clean more efficiently or serve drinks with less waiting time. Small improvements each week will make a big difference.

Help your staff grow

Give team members a chance to take on new roles or lead in certain areas. Let them try making content for social media or managing shift schedules. It helps build team spirit and keeps them motivated.

Start promoting locally

Make sure your business is listed properly on Google Maps. Try handing out flyers or doing an intro offer to bring new people in. You could also message a few local influencers or food bloggers and offer them a free drink in exchange for a post or story. This can feel too soon, you don’t have to do everything at once or perfectly on time. Take your time.

This stage is about paying attention to what the numbers and customers are telling you. Start making small data-driven decisions and focus on consistency in everything you do.

Days 61 to 90: Planning for Growth and Building Customer Loyalty

You’ve survived the trickiest part and now you can start thinking long-term. This is the perfect time to begin shaping your customer experience and planning for what’s next.

Introduce a loyalty scheme

Whether it’s a paper stamp card or a simple app, people love feeling rewarded. It helps turn a one-time visitor into a regular customer.

Try out limited-time drinks

Seasonal specials or themed drinks can generate excitement and bring people back more often. You don’t need to go wild, just test one or two ideas each month and see what works.

Check in with your supplier

Are your ingredients always arriving on time? Is the quality consistent? Your supplier can either support your growth or hold you back. At Taipec, we pride ourselves on reliability, so if things are not going to plan, let’s talk.

Start collecting simple customer data

This might be as easy as getting email addresses in exchange for a free topping. Over time you can build a mailing list or create targeted promotions.

This is a good moment to pause and look at the bigger picture. Where do you want to go next? More locations? A bigger menu? Community events? Start laying the groundwork now.

Mistakes That Many New Shop Owners Make

Every new business owner runs into challenges. The key is knowing which ones to expect and how to handle them.

Ordering too much or running out of key ingredients: Start small with your orders and adjust based on what you’re actually selling.
Doing everything yourself: Delegate early. Train staff to help with operations, stock checks and social media. You’ll burn out quickly if you try to do it all. Learn to trust your employees.
Ignoring customer reviews: Even the negative ones have value. Respond with care and use feedback to improve. Never respond out of frustration or anger. Always stay collected and professional.
Waiting too long to start marketing: If you don’t tell people you’re open, they won’t know. Start promoting from day one, even if it’s just with a basic Instagram post or a story showing today’s special.
Making things more complicated than they need to be: Keep your processes simple. You can always add more later, but it’s much harder to undo confusion.

Looking Ahead: Building a Business That Lasts

Once the first 90 days are behind you, take some time to reflect. What went well? What surprised you? What do you want to improve?

Make notes so you don’t forget your early lessons.
Set up regular reviews to track your finances, staff performance and customer growth.
Create checklists to help future hires learn the ropes faster.
And most importantly, build relationships with people who can support your business, both inside and outside the company. That includes your team, your community and your suppliers.

As a reliable bubble tea supplier, Taipec is here to help you through every stage of your journey. Whether you need high-quality ingredients, advice on the best profit margins, or just someone who understands what it’s like to be starting out, we’ve got your back.

Ready to make your next 90 days even better than your first?

Contact Taipec today and let’s grow together.