“We are pioneers and want to improve the bubble tea industry, which is plagued with cheap, unhealthy ingredients”

CUPP is building on its success and proven model by opening franchises across the UK

Launched in 2012 as a premium bubble tea brand, CUPP has grown organically from touring street food markets and festivals to establishing five stores across Bristol and Cardiff.

Founder of CUPP, Lee Peacock, lived and worked for many years in Taiwan - the home of bubble tea. After falling in love with the country, food, people and the national drink, he thought what better way to bring an integral part of his life back to the UK.

Bubble tea is a term given to a wide variety of fruity and milk infused teas consisting of tea, milk and chewy tapioca pearls or other toppings that are shaken together and form a bubbly foam on top of the drink. The ‘tea that you drink and chew’ can be served iced or hot, meaning it’s enjoyed all year round.

Building on its success

CUPP is now building on its success and proven model by opening franchises across the UK. Lee, who won NatWest’s 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year in the South West award, says CUPP is a unique and innovative bubble tea brand with an emphasis on healthy, freshly made bubble teas.

He adds: “From day one, our ethos is to only use the best and freshest ingredients. We wanted to control what goes into our teas and make the healthiest bubble teas on the market. That’s why we produce our own real fruit purées and syrups by hand in our centralised production facility and use only quality loose leaf tea, organic milk, premium milk substitutes and fresh fruit to flavour our teas.

“We are pioneers and want to improve the bubble tea industry, which is plagued with cheap, unhealthy ingredients like fructose and artificial sugary flavourings and powders.

“We’ve also taken another step and scrapped plastic straws for biodegradable bamboo fibre straws - a first for the UK bubble tea market.”

Huge growth potential

CUPP’s concept resonates with its loyal customers, with thousands of them returning each month. A new store opening can see customers queueing for over an hour to try its bubble teas.

The bubble tea industry in the UK is still in its infancy, where there is huge potential to grow as the market grows. CUPP has created interesting store designs to suit different locations and requirements. The company has converted shipping containers, standalone kiosks in shopping malls and shops on the high street, which makes it easier for franchisees to open in many different spaces.

At a glance CUPP

Established: 2012
Location of units: Bristol and Cardiff
Investment range: £60,000-£300,000
Minimum required capital: £20,000
Contact: Andy Hulbert. andy@cuppbubbletea.co.uk