Posted:08-May-2026
Bubble CiTea Signs First Franchisee with Opening at Xscape Castleford as UK Expansion Gains Momentum
Bubble CiTea, one of the UK’s fastest-growing bubble tea brands, has signed its first franchisee, with a site set to open at Xscape, Castleford in Yorkshire.
The signing marks a key milestone in the brand’s franchise rollout strategy. In addition to the Castleford opening, two further franchisees have been secured, with their respective businesses expected to begin trading from June.
The franchise partner highlighted brand strength, category growth, and operational support as central to their investment decision.
“We were already familiar with Bubble CiTea as customers and had consistently positive experiences, which gave us immediate confidence in the product and its customer appeal. As we explored the franchise model further, it became clear this was not only a strong brand but also a compelling business opportunity within a fast-growing segment.”
“From a commercial perspective, we were looking for a scalable business with proven systems and strong brand recognition. Bubble tea in the UK is still developing, and we saw a clear opportunity to enter early, establish ourselves in the market, and benefit from that growth over time.”
“The level of support from the franchise team has been a key factor. From recruitment and store setup to marketing and operational infrastructure, the structured guidance has enabled us to launch efficiently and focus on building the business.”
The franchisee also confirmed ambitions to expand further, with a focus on high-footfall locations and building a multi-site operation as the brand grows.
A spokesperson for Bubble CiTea, Pollyanna Smalley, Franchise Director, said:
“The signing of our first franchisee is a significant milestone for the business and an important step in scaling our brand through franchising. The early traction we’ve seen, including additional franchise agreements already secured, demonstrates strong confidence in both our model and the category.”
“We are committed to supporting our partners and are actively looking to expand into high-quality retail and leisure destinations across the UK.”
Bubble CiTea is seeking commercially driven partners with strong professional or business ownership experience, who can demonstrate the capability and mindset required to scale a multi-site operation.
Interested and want to know more about Bubble CiTea?
The Bubble CiTea profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
