Malaysian bubble tea chain Tealive penetrates Canadian market

Malaysian bubble tea chain Tealive has expanded in North America with its first store in Ottawa, Canada.

According to Tealive CEO Bryan Loo, North America was not their priority as they were focusing on developing in Asia.

But they were approached by 1Teaco, a pastry, and bakery firm, that is now Tealive’s franchisee in Canada.

Tealive is also adding 50 stores across Canada in the next five years with another partner, Loob Holding.

The expansion in Canada will allow Tealive to learn more about the North American market before expanding to the US.

Tealive operates 800 stores across Malaysia and is planning to reach 1000 stores there by 2024. It also has stores in Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, the UK, and Vietnam.

Earlier this year, Tealive opened its first store in the Philippines and planned to roll out 30 outlets there by the end of this year. In 2018, the brand set its footprint in China as part of its Southeast Asian expansion strategy.