Tea Bar

Tea Bar

Franzy VerifiedInformation based on 2026 FDD

Food & Beverage · Coffee & Tea

Investment min
$266K
Total: $266K–$607K
Avg gross revenue
N/A
Unit-level, 2026
Franchise fee
$30K–$50K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
6%
of gross revenue
Locations
Franchising since 2025

Description

What is Tea Bar?

Tea Bar® is the Hermès of tea. Founded in Portland in 2014 by Erica Indira Swanson and over one million cups later, we have built the design-forward, premium tea cafe the category was missing, and we are now expanding through franchising. This is not another boba shop. There are no artificial syrups, no powdered mixes, no neon dyes, no pre-made anything. Every drink is made to order from whole, fresh, farm-direct ingredients sourced through our own relationships with growers around the world. We rejected the bagged teas (and their microplastics) that dominate the market and built a loose-leaf, made-to-order system instead. The result is a menu of beautifully crafted teas, lattes, matcha, and seasonal drinks that hold up next to any specialty coffee program, with a customer base that treats Tea Bar as a daily ritual. Design is core to the brand, not a finish. Our Design Director (formerly behind Stumptown, Salt & Straw, and Olympia Provisions) builds every Tea Bar as a minimalist, intentional space. Calm, modern, and unmistakably ours. The aesthetic has earned features in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appétit, Forbes, and more, plus a 35K-strong organic Instagram following. Tea is the fastest-growing beverage category in the U.S., and almost no one is elevating it. Tea Bar franchisees get a decade-tested business model, proprietary recipes, a turnkey buildout package, a dedicated wholesale supply arm, and hands-on support from a founding team that has been building this brand intentionally. Not chasing a trend, but defining a category. If you have been waiting for the Erewhon-meets-Stumptown of tea, you are looking at it.

  • Bubble tea specialist
  • Asian-inspired beverage menu
  • Youth-focused tea lounge
  • Customizable drink experience
  • Multicultural urban positioning
  • Generation Z destination

Location Analysis

Where Tea Bar wins

Tea Bar demonstrates strong alignment with coastal urban markets and tech-forward metros, evidenced by concentration in California, Washington, New York, Texas, and Florida—markets with substantial Asian-American populations and younger, trend-responsive demographics. The brand's positioning in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York reflects strategic targeting of multicultural, digitally-engaged consumers aged 16-34 who prioritize experience and shareability. Review performance in the 3.8-4.2 star range with moderate to high volume suggests operational viability but also execution inconsistency, particularly around drink preparation standards and peak-hour service capacity. Positive feedback emphasizing customization, presentation quality, and modern aesthetics aligns well with Instagram-driven discovery patterns common in this demographic. However, recurring complaints about wait times, price sensitivity, and preparation inconsistency point to training gaps and operational discipline challenges that can erode unit economics and brand equity in competitive markets. The requirement for high-visibility, high-foot-traffic locations near universities and office centers positions this concept as dependent on premium real estate, which elevates occupancy risk and necessitates strong per-transaction averages. Expansion potential exists in secondary college towns, suburban Asian community hubs, and emerging Sun Belt metros, though success depends heavily on replicating operational consistency outside established markets. Prospective franchisees should conduct granular site-level traffic analysis, evaluate local competitive saturation in the boba segment, and validate demographic density before site selection.
Total US locations
N/A
Franchise units
N/A
Corporate locations
1
Avg. sq. footage
Territory check

Is your territory available?

We'll take you through a few quick questions, then Tea Bar confirms availability directly.

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Availability
CanadaInternational

Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Tea Bar

Avg gross revenueN/A
Investment range$266,037 – $606,680
Investment midpoint$436,359
Brand fund2%
Royalty6%
Franchise fee$30,000–$50,000
Min. net worth$500,000
Min. liquid capital$100,000
Tea Bar represents a relatively young franchise concept in the highly competitive specialty beverage sector, founded in 2014 during the peak of the boba tea renaissance in North American markets. The investment range of $266,037 to $606,680 positions this as a mid-tier specialty beverage opportunity, with the variation likely reflecting real estate costs, buildout complexity, and market positioning across different geographies. The absence of disclosed franchise fee and unit count data introduces meaningful uncertainty regarding franchise maturity, system scale, and contractual structure—factors that directly impact ongoing support infrastructure and purchasing leverage. The reported $0 gross revenue figure is concerning and may indicate limited financial disclosure, nascent unit economics, or data unavailability rather than actual performance. This opacity complicates cash flow modeling and payback analysis. The compact 1,000-1,500 square foot footprint suggests manageable occupancy costs but also limits throughput capacity during peak demand windows. Operational complexity centers on beverage consistency, inventory management for perishable ingredients, and labor scheduling to address the wait time issues evident in customer feedback. The customization-heavy model creates execution risk but also differentiation potential. Prospective investors should prioritize obtaining unit-level economics, average unit volumes, labor cost ratios, and waste percentages before committing capital. The lack of transparent performance data warrants conservative underwriting and extended due diligence.
Did you know? Tea Bar is a specialty coffee and tea franchise concept in the food and beverage sector. The initial investment ranges from approximately $266,000 to $606,700, positioning it as a mid-tier beverage franchise opportunity. The franchise fee was not disclosed in available materials. Founded in 2014, the brand targets younger, trend-conscious consumers in high-traffic retail environments. Prospective investors should request detailed unit economics and franchise disclosure documents during due diligence.

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

The model

How Tea Bar works

01
Ownership
Part-Time (Executive)

Owner stays in an executive role — sets strategy, hires a manager, and oversees crews. Typically 5–20 hr/wk after ramp; many keep their day job.

Full-Time

Owner runs the business as their primary job — leads the team day-to-day on the ground, 40+ hr/wk.

02
Revenue
Recurring revenueTransaction-basedBig-ticket salesService-basedProduct sales (retail)Hybrid model
03
Customer
B2B

Sells to businesses, contractors, or property owners.

B2C

Sells directly to consumers and homeowners.

Mixed

Serves both businesses and consumers.

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$266K–$607K
Most common
$266,037
Minimum
$436,359
Midpoint
$606,680
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $266,037 to $606,680. The midpoint $436,359 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

2026 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Tea Bar's 2026 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2026 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Tea Bar franchise typically ranges between $266,037.00 and $606,680.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) we have on record, which was issued in 2026. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. Only the franchisor can confirm that the information is complete and accurate and we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Tea Bar
Tea Bar
N/A avg revenue · 0+ US franchises

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