Kang Puay Seng, CEO of Gong Cha Singapore, confirmed the closure in a Thursday statement to Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao.
His firm had ceased to be the brand’s Singapore franchisee a day before that, he said.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all stakeholders who have contributed to Gong Cha Singapore since 2017, especially our loyal customers and hard-working staff,” he noted in the statement cited by Channel News Asia.
Later on Thursday, Gong Cha Global clarified that the shutdown was temporary and that it chose not to renew its partnership with the current master franchisee.
It added that a relaunch under new local franchisees is planned for 2026, which will also bring its new Gong Cha 2.0 stores to Singapore.
“To Gong Cha lovers across the country: This is not a goodbye, but rather a ‘see you soon!’” AsiaOne quoted global chief executive Paul Reynish as saying. “We will be back in 2026 with an even bolder, more innovative and more exciting proposition.”
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Gong Cha drinks. Photo courtesy of Gong Cha |
Founded in Taiwan, Gong Cha was among the first bubble tea brands to enter the Singapore market with its first outlet in 2009 and quickly gained popularity, according to Mothership.
It briefly exited the city-state in June 2017 and replaced its over 80 stores there with a new homegrown bubble tea brand called LiHo.
Before that, its Singapore outlets had generated around S$30 million (US$23.3 million) in annual revenues, making the city-state one of its top three markets at the time.
The brand made a comeback just six months later under franchisee Gong Cha Singapore. According to its website, it most recently had 29 stores nationwide.
The brand’s exit has stirred mixed feelings among locals. For 35-year-old consultant Clara Loh, it brought “a little sadness” and a sense of nostalgia.
“It was definitely one of my staples in the past because I love the taro milk tea,” she told The Straits Times.
“But perhaps the accessibility of the other brands took over, as proximity plays an important role when you’re looking to grab a drink on the go.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Yee, a 35-year-old operations manager, admitted he “barely even noticed” that the chain was still around.
“After they came back the first time, other nicer brands had already moved in and they kind of got overshadowed,” he said.
