Gong Cha franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Gong Cha franchise fee is $34,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $184,500 to $627,060, with about $60,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Gong Cha FDD.
What are the Gong Cha franchise fees and investment?
The Gong Cha franchise requires a franchise fee of $34,500 and a total initial investment of $184,500 to $627,060. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $34,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $184,500 to $627,060 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $60,000 |
| US locations | 229 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Coffee, Tea, & Drinks) |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Franchising since | 2015 |
How does the Gong Cha investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Gong Cha's minimum investment of $184,500 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 881 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $34,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Gong Cha belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Gong Cha FDD?
Verify six parts of the Gong Cha Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Gong Cha discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Gong Cha?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Gong Cha:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Doc Popcorn | $15,000 | $184,500 to $413,550 |
| POKEMOTO | $30,000 | $184,500 to $378,400 |
| CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog | $40,000 | $185,000 to $652,500 |
| Sandella's | $25,000 | $185,000 to $305,000 |
| Kisses From Italy | $35,000 | $183,900 to $691,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gong Cha franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Gong Cha franchise ranges from $184,500 to $627,060, including a franchise fee of $34,500, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Gong Cha franchise?
Gong Cha lists a minimum of about $60,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Gong Cha locations are there?
Gong Cha reported 229 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Gong Cha been franchising?
Gong Cha started offering franchises in 2015 after the company was founded in 2006.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Gong Cha and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gong Cha. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.