Popular bubble tea brand Gong Cha will be returning to the Singapore market in the next several months in a "bigger, better, upgraded format".

The Straits Times (ST) reported that Unison Capital, the Japanese private equity firm who owns Royal Tea Taiwan, the firm that founded the bubble tea brand, is committed to let Gong Cha stay in Singapore.

Mr Kim Soomin, a partner at Unison Capital told ST that, "Together with Korea and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the most strategically important and successful markets for Gong Cha's growth so there's no way we want to leave."

He said they will be introducing a more modern look to the new stores and logo and also a new menu which will be customised for Singapore customers.

There are about 1,400 Gong Cha outlets worldwide, of which 80 were located in Singapore.

Singapore is one of one of the top three contributors to Gong Cha's overall turnover, which stood at over US$70 million (S$96.6 million) last year. Annual revenue from Singapore outlets stood at about S$30 million.

All 80 Gong Cha stores had been converted to LiHo outlets by RTG Holdings, which brought Gong Cha here in 2009.

The firm's managing director Rodney Tang had decided to give up the franchise and launch LiHo when he learnt that Royal Tea Taiwan had been sold to Unison Capital without his knowledge.

He had also found the terms for an agreement to renew his Gong Cha franchising licence more restrictive, with clauses that would have affected his ability to manage RTG's other brands effectively.

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