Taiwanese bubble tea brand Gong cha will open its first Pacific Northwest outlet in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, on 3 October 2025, marking the company’s debut in Washington State.

The location will be run by father-and-daughter franchisees Ajay and Prachi Keshap.

Prachi Keshap will oversee the store’s day-to-day operations and spearhead the brand’s wider expansion.

The Keshaps intend to open 50 outlets across the region by 2030.

Prachi Keshap stated: “I approached my dad about adding Gong cha to our portfolio because I’ve seen firsthand how the brand resonates with younger generations.

“Capitol Hill was the perfect place to start — it’s where people are always looking for new food and drink experiences, and bubble tea already has a strong following here. We’re thrilled to celebrate with the community during our grand opening, and excited to continue growing the brand across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.”

The store will offer Gong cha’s full bubble tea menu alongside snacks and light bites, including Shin Ramen and bubble waffles in chocolate, matcha and Oreo flavours.

The Seattle location will also offer Gong cha’s automated drink-making system, the Super Wu machine.

Gong cha Americas president Geoff Henry stated: “Seattle is an important milestone for Gong cha’s US expansion.

“The Pacific Northwest has a strong bubble tea culture, and we’re excited to partner with experienced operators like Ajay and Prachi to grow the brand across the region.”

The Seattle opening is part of Gong cha’s US growth as it pursues a target of more than 500 stores across the country by 2028.

The company is recruiting franchise partners in North America, focusing on markets in Nevada, Southern California, Utah and the southeastern US.

In June 2025, Gong cha signed a multi-unit agreement with Blu Tea Arizona to enter the Arizona market.