Searching for a tea shop franchise, a coffee shop franchise or new business ideas in Chennai? Before you sign up for another tea or coffee shop, look at bubble tea. Chennai already has a tea shop on almost every street – but very few authentic bubble tea shops. Here is why we believe a bubble tea shop is the smarter choice, the best areas in Chennai to open one, and two simple ways to start with Hooba Boba.
⭐ 4.9 rating on Google · 5+ years in bubble tea · Recognised by StartupTN
Flagship opposite VIT 3rd Gate, Katpadi · Also at Fundera Bird’s Park, Vellore and Yelagiri
Why bubble tea beats a regular tea or coffee shop
- Less competition. Tea and coffee shops are everywhere in Chennai. A bubble tea shop stands out on the same street.
- A premium product. Bubble tea is made with imported ingredients and sold as a treat, so you can fix a premium selling price that suits your area.
- The right customers. Gen Z, college students, young professionals, young women, kids and families – the fastest-growing crowd in Chennai.
- Coffee lovers are covered too. Our 7 cappuccino bubble coffees mean you don’t lose the coffee crowd.
- Made for social media. Colourful drinks with chewy and popping pearls get photographed and shared – free marketing for your shop.
- A big, fun menu. 25+ handcrafted flavours keep customers coming back to try the next one.
- A growing market. India’s bubble tea market is expected to grow from about US$450 million in 2024 to around US$930 million by 2033 (Custom Market Insights, reported by PTI).
Tea shop franchise vs bubble tea shop: a quick comparison
| Typical tea / coffee shop franchise | Bubble tea shop with Hooba Boba | |
|---|---|---|
| Competition in Chennai | Very high – on almost every street | Low – few authentic bubble tea shops |
| Franchise fee | Usually yes | No franchise fee |
| Your shop name | Franchisor’s brand only | Your own name, or Hooba Boba for selected premium locations |
| Menu | Tea, coffee and snacks | 25+ bubble teas, fruit teas, boba sodas and 7 cappuccino bubble coffees |
| Customers | Everyone, very price-focused | Gen Z, students, young professionals and families who want a treat |
| Selling price | Fixed low prices | Premium price you fix to suit your area |
Planning a full bubble tea franchise instead? In India these can need ₹25–45 lakh of total investment, including a franchise fee of around ₹5–10 lakh (Franchise India). Starting with Hooba Boba needs no franchise fee.
A note from the people behind Hooba Boba
Hooba Boba never compromises on quality. In more than 5 years in bubble tea, we have seen many suppliers send a good sample first and a second-grade product with the real order. So we built our own quality checks and our own formulations to keep every drink’s quality and taste strong. We are looking for serious business people whose first focus is quality, taste and customer satisfaction – not quick money. When the quality is right, the money always comes. Quality is the only way to make money – that is our concept.
Sathiya Panneer Selvam, Founder & CEO · Raju Inkarsal, Head of Operations – Hooba Boba
Our quality promise
- Only top premium materials, selected and imported from Taiwan, China and Japan.
- Quality checks on every order – not just on the first sample.
- Our own formulations to keep the taste strong and the same every time.
- Assured-quality ingredients supplied to you, batch after batch.
Who we want to work with
We partner with serious business people who care about quality, taste and customer satisfaction first. If you want to build a bubble tea shop that customers trust and come back to, we would love to talk to you.
Two ways to start your bubble tea business in Chennai
Option 1: Your own bubble tea shop, with our training and support
- Open under your own shop name.
- Hands-on training on our proven recipes – no experience needed.
- Startup support and menu guidance for your area.
- Equipment and imported ingredients supplied separately by us, whenever you need them.
Learn more about our bubble tea training and how to start a bubble tea business.
Option 2: A Hooba Boba brand partner shop (selected premium locations)
- Open under the Hooba Boba name and brand.
- For selected premium locations in Chennai, after we meet you and see the location.
- Our recipes, imported ingredients, staff training, menu support and quality checks.
- Everything agreed in writing before you start.
Already run a hotel, restaurant or café? See our brand partner counter instead.
What you need to start a bubble tea shop
Space: just 10 × 10 feet
A 10 × 10 feet area is enough for the preparation counter of a bubble tea shop or stall.
Basic setup
- Ice cube machine – bubble tea needs a steady supply of ice.
- Freezer – for storing ingredients.
- Wash basin – for washing, with water and drainage.
- Cupboard – for storing ingredients and supplies.
- Power supply for your machines.
We guide you on the rest of the bubble tea equipment and supply equipment and imported ingredients separately.
Training: just one day
Our hands-on training takes just one day. You learn our recipes and how to make every drink the same way, every time – no experience needed.
The secret to success: open every day
We have seen strong sales at our own shop in a prime location. The real secret is consistency – open your shop every day, on time, without getting tired, and serve the same great quality to every customer. Do that, and your customers will keep coming back.
Best places in Chennai to open a bubble tea shop
The best spots have a young crowd, steady footfall and people who enjoy a treat. Prime areas to consider:
- T. Nagar – Chennai’s busiest shopping area, full of families and young shoppers.
- Anna Nagar – a café hub with families and young professionals.
- Velachery – malls, offices and a large young crowd.
- OMR (IT corridor) – thousands of young IT professionals and colleges.
- Nungambakkam – premium cafés and shopping.
- Adyar and Besant Nagar – a young, café-loving crowd near the beach.
- ECR – weekend crowds, cafés and families.
- Near big colleges and IT parks – students and young professionals are bubble tea’s biggest fans.
What to look for in your location
- Good footfall of young people, students and families.
- Near colleges, malls, IT parks or busy shopping streets.
- A counter with water, drainage and power.
- Easy parking or walk-in access.
Why start with Hooba Boba
- 5+ years in bubble tea and a 4.9★ Google rating at our flagship opposite VIT 3rd Gate, Katpadi.
- Premium imported ingredients selected from Taiwan, China and Japan.
- Recognised by StartupTN.
- Already serving at Fundera Bird’s Park, Vellore and in Yelagiri.
- Launching soon: sugar-free bubble teas sweetened with monk fruit and allulose.
Drinks you can sell
- Signature milk teas: Taro, Thai, Kyoto Matcha, Classic, Vanilla, Mango, Honeydew and Cardamom Almond.
- Cappuccino bubble coffees: Cold, Espresso, Irish, Mocha, Caramel, Hazelnut and Vanilla Cappuccino Bubble Coffee.
- Real-fruit teas: Mango, Kiwi, Guava and Jamun.
- Fizzy boba sodas: Passion Fruit Blast, Kiwi Magic Blast and Masala Bubble Blast.
- Dessert drinks and shakes: Oreo Chocolate, Oreo Chocolate & Cheese, Red Velvet, Cold Chocolate, Irish Cheese and Banana Bubble.
See our best bubble tea flavours guide and full menu.
How to start
- Call or WhatsApp us – tell us your area and plan.
- Book a free tasting – try our drinks first.
- Choose your option – your own shop, or a Hooba Boba brand partner shop.
- Get trained – hands-on training on our recipes.
- Set up your shop – we guide you on equipment and menu.
- Open and reorder – order ingredients from us whenever you need them.
Frequently asked questions
Is bubble tea a good business in Chennai?
Bubble tea is one of India’s fastest-growing drinks, loved by Gen Z, college students, young professionals and families. Chennai has all of these crowds – in IT corridors, colleges, malls and shopping streets – and far fewer bubble tea shops than tea and coffee shops.
Is Hooba Boba a franchise?
No. Hooba Boba is not a franchise and there is no franchise fee. You can start your own bubble tea shop with our training and startup support, or – for selected premium locations – open a Hooba Boba brand partner shop.
Can I open a bubble tea shop under my own name?
Yes. With our training and startup support you open your own bubble tea shop under your own name. We train you on our recipes, and supply equipment and imported ingredients separately.
Can I open a shop under the Hooba Boba name in Chennai?
For selected premium locations, yes – as a Hooba Boba brand partner shop. We meet you first, look at the location and agree everything in writing before you start.
How much does it cost to start a bubble tea shop in Chennai?
It depends on your location, shop size and equipment. Call or WhatsApp us with your plan and we will guide you on what you need.
Which are the best areas in Chennai for a bubble tea shop?
Busy areas with young crowds work best – such as T. Nagar, Anna Nagar, Velachery, OMR, Nungambakkam, Adyar, Besant Nagar and areas near big colleges and IT parks.
How much space do I need for a bubble tea shop?
A 10 × 10 feet area is enough for the preparation counter, with space for an ice cube machine, freezer, wash basin and a storage cupboard.
How long is the bubble tea training?
Just one day. Our hands-on training covers our recipes and how to make every drink the same way, every time.
What equipment do I need?
Basic needs are an ice cube machine, a freezer, a wash basin and a storage cupboard. We guide you on the rest of the bubble tea equipment and supply it separately.
Do I need experience to start a bubble tea shop?
No. Our one-day hands-on training covers our recipes and how to make every drink the same way, every time.
Will you supply bubble tea ingredients to Chennai?
Yes. We supply the same imported teas, taro, matcha, coffee and tapioca pearls we use at our own shop, selected from Taiwan, China and Japan.
Start your bubble tea business in Chennai
Book a FREE tasting and talk to us about your plan.
Raju Inkarsal – Partnerships & Business Opportunities
Call / WhatsApp: +91 90929 39697
Email: rajuinkarsal@hoobaboba.com
Send an enquiry → · Download the partner brochure (PDF) → · View Raju’s digital card →
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