Gong cha has announced its entry in Colombia with Té Colombia S.A.S, its latest master franchisee, marking its entry into its 30th market.
Founded in Taiwan in 2006 and now headquartered in the United Kingdom, Gong cha is known for its consistent, high-quality, freshly brewed beverages made with premium ingredients.
It first expanded overseas in 2009 and has grown significantly to operate nearly 2,200 stores around the globe.
The new agreement in Colombia builds on a series of strategic milestones in the region. In 2023, Gong cha signed Master Franchise agreements to open 50 stores across Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
It has also signed a Master Franchise agreement for Puerto Rico, where it launched its first drive-thru in August this year and plans to scale to 30 stores.
Across Latin America, Gong cha is aiming to replicate the success of its Mexican business, which has successfully built a market-leading position with more than 100 stores serving whole-leaf bubble tea.
Paul Reynish, Global CEO of Gong cha Global, said: “Gong cha is a brand that keeps going from strength to strength. Three years ago, when I first joined, we were active in 16 markets but had all the ingredients to supercharge our growth and strengthen our position as a truly global brand.
Now, just a few years later, we have reached the significant milestone of being in 30 markets with nearly 2,200 stores worldwide.”
Gong cha plans to reach 10,000 sites in the next 10 years.
Despite the demands of running a rapidly expanding company, Choudhary has learned to find balance, something he didn’t always have. These days, he’s an early riser, front-loading his weekdays with office work before spending afternoons on-site visits and store builds.
Evenings are reserved for football and gym sessions, and weekends are kept for family. “Sunday lunch at my mum’s house—that’s the recharge,” he says with a smile.
Among his proudest milestones is winning an international franchise of the year award earlier in his career, besting competitors across 30 markets, but he’s just as proud of The Sushi Co’s present trajectory. He said: “It’s been incredible to watch it grow. And we’re only getting started.”
When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Choudhary was quick to reply: “Learn to walk before you run. There are no shortcuts. Move with care, build the right team, and think everything through.”
For prospective franchisees eyeing entry into the booming sushi space, The Sushi Co is currently welcoming applications.
Choudhary says: “We’re looking for experienced QSR and business professionals ready to invest in a proven, fast-growing concept. This is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the casual dining market, and we’re here to lead it.”
As The Sushi Co expands across the UK, Choudhary is showing that scale doesn’t have to mean compromise. With handcrafted sushi at its core and a franchise model built on training, quality, and support, he’s not just growing a brand, he’s setting a new standard for what fast-casual dining can deliver.
