Quick Answer
CHAGEE (霸王茶姬) was founded in Kunming, Yunnan, China, in June 2017 by Zhang Junjie and moved its headquarters to Chengdu in 2021. Its core product is fresh milk added to whole-leaf tea. It listed on Nasdaq on April 17, 2025 (ticker CHA) and had over 7,000 stores by the end of 2025. Its first US store opened in April 2025 at Westfield Century City, Los Angeles, and it had six Southern California stores by February 2026. The company plans about 200 new overseas stores in 2026.
CHAGEE at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | June 2017, Kunming, Yunnan |
| Founder | Zhang Junjie |
| Headquarters | Chengdu (since 2021) |
| Core product | Fresh milk tea with whole-leaf tea |
| Listing | Nasdaq, April 17, 2025 (CHA) |
| Stores | Over 7,000 (end of 2025) |
Overseas Expansion Timeline
| Year | Markets |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Singapore, Malaysia |
| 2022 | Thailand |
| 2025 | Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam; first US store in Los Angeles (April) |
| 2026 | First three South Korea stores in May; about 200 new overseas stores planned |
3 Lessons for Bubble Tea Operators
- Make tea the difference: whole-leaf tea quality is the core of the brand. See tea leaves.
- Company-operated stores in the US: build quality before scaling. See franchise or your own brand.
- Multi-country supply: see consolidating shipments from several suppliers.
How Tang Sugar Supports Cafés and Bubble Tea Shops
Tang Sugar supplies tea leaves, non-dairy creamer, syrups and packaging from Taiwan, quoted together for your menu and consolidated into one shipment. We also offer an international sourcing agent service and tea shop planning. Contact us for bulk and wholesale quotes.
Note: this article summarizes public information about the brand. Caitang International (Tang Sugar) has no partnership or affiliation with the brands mentioned; brand names and trademarks belong to their owners. Figures are as of each source’s publication date.
Products in this article
All 487 Bubble Tea & Boba Ingredients →FAQ
Where is CHAGEE from?
CHAGEE is a Chinese brand founded in Kunming, Yunnan, in 2017, with headquarters in Chengdu.
Is CHAGEE a public company?
Yes. It listed on Nasdaq on April 17, 2025, under the ticker CHA.
Does CHAGEE have stores in the US?
Yes. Its first US store opened in Los Angeles in April 2025, and there were six stores in Southern California by February 2026.
What is CHAGEE’s Chinese name?
Its Chinese name is 霸王茶姬 (Bawang Chaji).
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