Gong Cha CEO confirms all S'pore outlets closed, operations ceased

All Gong Cha outlets in Singapore have shuttered as of Oct. 1.

The beverage chain's CEO confirmed the mass closure in an Oct. 2 statement, saying that Gong Cha (Singapore) Pte Ltd "has ceased to be the Singapore franchisee of the Gong Cha brand" since Wednesday.

Shops run by the beverage chain around Singapore were observed to have abruptly closed, and its social media accounts deleted.

In its statement, Gong Cha thanked its employees and customers for their loyalty over the past 17 years.

It also assured stakeholders that issues resulting from the closure would be dealt with "responsibly and fairly".

17 years

Gong Cha, which hails from Taiwan, was one of the first bubble tea chains to set up shop in Singapore.

It opened its first outlet here in 2009 and quickly rose to prominence.

In June 2017, it shuttered its 80 outlets across the island and reopened them under the rebranded LiHo name.

Gong Cha then reopened outlets in December 2017 under the new management of Gong Cha Singapore.

Despite its Singapore exit, the chain's international stores — including in the United States — appear still operational.

Top photos via Gracia Yap