Latest news with #BobaBhai
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
IPL final spurs double-digit surge in food delivery, dine-in
Bengaluru: The IPL 2025 final on Tuesday delivered a significant boost to restaurants, with both delivery and dine-in channels recording double-digit growth across metros and tier 2 markets, said industry executives. Food delivery volumes rose by 10 to 15 per cent compared to the previous weekend, with platforms witnessing peak demand during the evening match hours. According to Sagar Daryani, founder and CEO, WoW Momo, delivery grew 12 to 14 per cent week-on-week, while dine-in and takeaway increased 8 to 10 per cent. 'Peak time orders (7 to 10 pm) rose by over 12 per cent compared to previous IPL match days,' Daryani said, adding that late-night orders surged by 20 per cent and average ticket sizes increased 10 per cent, driven by combos and party packs. At Lenexis Foodworks, delivery and dine-in sales in Bengaluru and cities across Punjab, including Mohali, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Amritsar, grew 25 to 35 per cent, outperforming national averages. 'The delivery business showed a notably higher share in the evening hours compared to the afternoon, a trend that aligns with match timings,' said Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, founder and director of the company. Restaurant footfalls jump across metro and non-metro markets Offline formats also saw strong traction. Zorawar Kalra, founder and MD, Massive Restaurants, reported a 30 per cent increase in footfall and up to a 50 per cent jump in sales across Delhi-NCR and other key markets. 'Bar nibbles and pizzas were fan favourites, making up over 40 per cent of offline orders,' said Kalra, who operates brands such as Masala Library, Pa Pa Ya, Farzi Cafe and more. He also noted an uptick in tier 2 and 3 markets, where dining traffic grew by 50 per cent compared to a regular weekday. Boba Bhai, a beverage-first D2C brand, reported a 3X spike in orders during the final, with Bengaluru alone contributing over 40 per cent of total volumes. '60 per cent of demand came through food delivery apps, while the remaining 40 per cent was from walk-ins,' said Dhruv Kohli, founder, Boba Bhai.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Boba Bhai forays into RTD space; eyes 10-12 pc revenue from RTD by FY end
Korean fusion food brand Boba Bhai has forayed into the RTD space with its canned bubble teas. Currently, it has launched 3 flavors and will be launching 2 more flavors next week, Dhruv Kohli, founder, Boba Bhai, told ETRetail. The QSR brand, which has already expanded its presence on Blinkit and Zepto, plans to expand its presence further on Instamart, GT, and MT as well. The products are currently available across 70+ cities and are being rolled out in top-performing urban centers. "Designed to meet both impulse and habitual beverage consumption, the ready-to-drink offerings are targeted at Gen Z and young millennials," he asserted. The brand has invested close to Rs 1 crore to foray into the RTD space and launch these canned bubble teas with a shelf life of 6-9 months priced at Rs 99 for 330 ml. It is expecting the ROI in the next 12-14 months. Elaborating on the plans further, Kohli stated, "In the next 6-8 months, we plan to introduce 3-4 more flavors of bubble teas along with Korean chips and sauces." "Going ahead, we are also planning to launch a smaller version of the can for GT and MT. We plan to enter the GT and MT space in the next 8-9 months," he further added. Expanding From Cloud Kitchens To QSRs Currently, the brand that operates 27 QSRs and 30 cloud kitchens across 9 cities is planning to convert all its cloud kitchens into QSRs in the next six months. "At present, we follow the COCO model and plan to penetrate deeper into cities like top-tier metro cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune," he asserted. The average store of the brand on a high street spans across 600-700 whereas in the malls and tech parks, they span across 200 "Average CAPEX to open an outlet of the brand stands at Rs 13-14 lakh, and our payback period is about 12-14 months," he said. Currently, 40 per cent of the revenue of the brand comes from walk-ins, and the remaining 60 per cent comes from online orders. The average order value for the brand in online channels stands at Rs 400 and Rs 330 at its outlets. "At present, beverage is about 55 per cent of the sales and food is 45 per cent," he said. Expanding Manufacturing Facility The brand, which is running a 4,000 manufacturing unit in Bengaluru at 80 per cent capacity, is planning to open a bigger unit in Bengaluru in the next six months. "We are at the planning stage for the new manufacturing unit, however, the unit which we will be opening will suffice us for the next 5-7 years," he stated. Revenue and Numbers In March 2025, Boba Bhai closed its Series A funding round to accelerate product innovation and geographic expansion. "Currently, we have enough money to scale the brand to 100 outlets along with our expansion in the FMCG space," he said. The brand, which closed the last fiscal year at Rs 30 crore, is planning to close this fiscal year at about Rs 90 crore. "We are 15 per cent profitable at the store level and registering (-)10-12 per cent EBITDA at the company level and by December this year, we plan to turn EBITDA positive at the company level as well," he concluded.
Economic Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
India's tryst with bubble tea - from chai to chewy
From classic milk and passion fruit to jamun kala khatta and mango matcha, and that too in slurpy pearls, India's age-old chai story is turning a page with the young and not so young catching on to the bubble tea trend. The bubble tea market in India is projected to more than double from USD 450 million in 2024 to USD 930 million by 2033, according to market research and advisory firm Custom Market Insights, turning it into a full-fledged 'Bubble Tea Party'. And one that's brewing across India - and ages. It's almost everybody's cup of tea. So, while Gurgaon-based Prisha and Rakesh Mandavaya, like many other Indians, run on a steady stream of tea throughout the day, their 12-year-old son is also following suit. Except his beverage of choice is a little trendier. "He is completely hooked on bubble tea. I'm not sure if it's the sugar rush, the fruity flavours, or just the fun of slurping up those chewy tapioca pearls... children really seem to love the whole experience. We've always been a tea-loving family but his obsession with this new-age tea concoction has caught us off guard," Prisha, a homemaker in her forties, told PTI. The quirky drink, which has made its mark across the Philippines, North America, and beyond, is now stirring up a storm in India with new-age brands like Boba Bhai, Nomi Tea, and Harajuku Tokyo Cafe taking the lead. Originally concocted in 1980s Taiwan as a refreshing treat for school children, bubble tea has since gone global, adopting many names along the way -- from 'boba' and 'QQ' (a Chinese slang for chewy) to the playful 'booboo' in parts of the West. "One innovative concession holder, to the joy of her clientele, started to add different fruit flavourings to her milky tea, which she then shook vigorously to mix everything together. Bubbles formed on the top. The children loved the new dimension to the sweet, cool taste of their tea and other concession holders followed suit," according to the recent book, "Tea: A Global History" by author Helen Saberi. "As Indian millennials and Gen Z became more influenced by international travel, social media trends, and pop culture, bubble tea -- known for its colourful aesthetics, chewy tapioca pearls, and multiple flavours -- naturally caught their attention. Over the last few years, we've seen a rising curiosity for Korean culture, music, foods and drinks in urban India. Bubble tea, with its roots in Taiwan, fits seamlessly into this trend," Dhruv Kohli, founder and CEO of Boba Bhai, told PTI. Mansi Bhatt, a college student in her 20s, is one of them. "I first tried bubble tea in Delhi, and it was refreshing, hip, and trendy. It gives you that sugar rush and social media gratification all at the same time. I love the taste, and the fact that you can experiment with different flavours and toppings makes the whole experience even better," the Dehradun-based said. While the younger crowd makes up the core bubble tea fanbase in India, its appeal is quickly expanding. "When we first launched, bubble tea was still a niche product, but now it's becoming a mainstream Gen Z and millennials are definitely our core audience, but it's not just limited to them. "We see a mix of students, young professionals, and even families coming in for bubble tea. The appeal lies in the experience -- it's interactive, fun, and customisable," said Gaurav Kanwar, founder of Japan-inspired quick-service restaurant Harajuku Tokyo Cafe with multiple outlets across Delhi-NCR. And even though flavours like classic milk, taro, matcha and even cheese foam got Indians into the bubble tea game, it didn't take long for local taste buds to take over. Soon, desi twists like jamun kala khatta, chilli guava and mango matcha began making their way into the mix -- because when it comes to flavour, India doesn't stay in the bubble for long. "One of the reasons behind bubble tea's growing success in India is its adaptability to local tastes. As a country known for blending global trends with regional flair -- whether it's in fashion, food, or entertainment -- it's no surprise that Indians have embraced bubble tea and started making it their own," said Kohli whose brand Boba Bhai is successfully running 50 stores across India. The unprecedented rise of bubble tea has prompted new-age coffee brands to make space for this latest entrant in the tea family. Tea is the world's second most popular beverage after water. For instance, First Coffee, which claims to be India's fastest-growing specialty coffee brand, brought in international experts to train their team in developing a new range of boba tea. "Boba tea has rapidly become one of the strongest performers in our beverage lineup. The impressive higher sales trend and consistent customer demand for bubble tea have validated its potential as a strategic growth driver for us," said Sohrab Sitaram, co-founder and CEO of First Coffee. Despite its smooth growth trajectory, the beverage's success story comes with a 'sweet' concern -- its high sugar content -- often flagged by worried parents. The brands, already aware of what they admit is a "valid concern", are responding by customizing sugar levels and providing sugar-free alternatives. "At Harajuku Tokyo Cafe, we allow customers to choose their sugar levels, ranging from zero sugar to 100 per cent sweetness, so they can control their intake. We've also introduced sugar-free options, Ultimately, it's about balance - bubble tea, like coffee or desserts, is meant to be an indulgence, but with the right options, it can fit into a mindful lifestyle," said Kanwar. The bubble tea industry, well, it's clearly bubbling over.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
India's tryst with bubble tea - from chai to chewy
From classic milk and passion fruit to jamun kala khatta and mango matcha, and that too in slurpy pearls, India's age-old chai story is turning a page with the young and not so young catching on to the bubble tea trend. The bubble tea market in India is projected to more than double from USD 450 million in 2024 to USD 930 million by 2033, according to market research and advisory firm Custom Market Insights, turning it into a full-fledged 'Bubble Tea Party'. And one that's brewing across India - and ages. It's almost everybody's cup of tea. So, while Gurgaon-based Prisha and Rakesh Mandavaya, like many other Indians, run on a steady stream of tea throughout the day, their 12-year-old son is also following suit. Except his beverage of choice is a little trendier. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo "He is completely hooked on bubble tea. I'm not sure if it's the sugar rush, the fruity flavours, or just the fun of slurping up those chewy tapioca pearls ... children really seem to love the whole experience. We've always been a tea-loving family but his obsession with this new-age tea concoction has caught us off guard," Prisha, a homemaker in her forties, told PTI. The quirky drink, which has made its mark across the Philippines, North America, and beyond, is now stirring up a storm in India with new-age brands like Boba Bhai , Nomi Tea, and Harajuku Tokyo Cafe taking the lead. Live Events Originally concocted in 1980s Taiwan as a refreshing treat for school children, bubble tea has since gone global, adopting many names along the way -- from 'boba' and 'QQ' (a Chinese slang for chewy) to the playful 'booboo' in parts of the West. "One innovative concession holder, to the joy of her clientele, started to add different fruit flavourings to her milky tea, which she then shook vigorously to mix everything together. Bubbles formed on the top. The children loved the new dimension to the sweet, cool taste of their tea and other concession holders followed suit," according to the recent book, "Tea: A Global History" by author Helen Saberi. What is fuelling the trend in India? "As Indian millennials and Gen Z became more influenced by international travel, social media trends, and pop culture, bubble tea -- known for its colourful aesthetics, chewy tapioca pearls, and multiple flavours -- naturally caught their attention. Over the last few years, we've seen a rising curiosity for Korean culture, music, foods and drinks in urban India. Bubble tea, with its roots in Taiwan, fits seamlessly into this trend," Dhruv Kohli, founder and CEO of Boba Bhai, told PTI. Mansi Bhatt, a college student in her 20s, is one of them. "I first tried bubble tea in Delhi, and it was refreshing, hip, and trendy. It gives you that sugar rush and social media gratification all at the same time. I love the taste, and the fact that you can experiment with different flavours and toppings makes the whole experience even better," the Dehradun-based said. While the younger crowd makes up the core bubble tea fanbase in India, its appeal is quickly expanding. "When we first launched, bubble tea was still a niche product, but now it's becoming a mainstream Gen Z and millennials are definitely our core audience, but it's not just limited to them. "We see a mix of students, young professionals, and even families coming in for bubble tea. The appeal lies in the experience -- it's interactive, fun, and customisable," said Gaurav Kanwar, founder of Japan-inspired quick-service restaurant Harajuku Tokyo Cafe with multiple outlets across Delhi-NCR. And even though flavours like classic milk, taro, matcha and even cheese foam got Indians into the bubble tea game, it didn't take long for local taste buds to take over. Soon, desi twists like jamun kala khatta, chilli guava and mango matcha began making their way into the mix -- because when it comes to flavour, India doesn't stay in the bubble for long. "One of the reasons behind bubble tea's growing success in India is its adaptability to local tastes. As a country known for blending global trends with regional flair -- whether it's in fashion, food, or entertainment -- it's no surprise that Indians have embraced bubble tea and started making it their own," said Kohli whose brand Boba Bhai is successfully running 50 stores across India. The unprecedented rise of bubble tea has prompted new-age coffee brands to make space for this latest entrant in the tea family. Tea is the world's second most popular beverage after water. For instance, First Coffee, which claims to be India's fastest-growing specialty coffee brand, brought in international experts to train their team in developing a new range of boba tea . "Boba tea has rapidly become one of the strongest performers in our beverage lineup. The impressive higher sales trend and consistent customer demand for bubble tea have validated its potential as a strategic growth driver for us," said Sohrab Sitaram, co-founder and CEO of First Coffee. Despite its smooth growth trajectory, the beverage's success story comes with a 'sweet' concern -- its high sugar content -- often flagged by worried parents. The brands, already aware of what they admit is a "valid concern", are responding by customizing sugar levels and providing sugar-free alternatives. "At Harajuku Tokyo Cafe, we allow customers to choose their sugar levels, ranging from zero sugar to 100 per cent sweetness, so they can control their intake. We've also introduced sugar-free options, Ultimately, it's about balance - bubble tea, like coffee or desserts, is meant to be an indulgence, but with the right options, it can fit into a mindful lifestyle," said Kanwar. The bubble tea industry, well, it's clearly bubbling over.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India's tryst with bubble tea - from chai to chewy
New Delhi, From classic milk and passion fruit to jamun kala khatta and mango matcha, and that too in slurpy pearls, India's age-old chai story is turning a page with the young and not so young catching on to the bubble tea trend. The bubble tea market in India is projected to more than double from USD 450 million in 2024 to USD 930 million by 2033, according to market research and advisory firm Custom Market Insights, turning it into a full-fledged 'Bubble Tea Party'. And one that's brewing across India – and ages. It's almost everybody's cup of tea. So, while Gurugram-based Prisha and Rakesh Mandavaya, like many other Indians, run on a steady stream of tea throughout the day, their 12-year-old son is also following suit. Except his beverage of choice is a little trendier. "He is completely hooked on bubble tea. I'm not sure if it's the sugar rush, the fruity flavours, or just the fun of slurping up those chewy tapioca pearls… children really seem to love the whole experience. We've always been a tea-loving family but his obsession with this new-age tea concoction has caught us off guard," Prisha, a homemaker in her forties, told PTI. The quirky drink, which has made its mark across the Philippines, North America, and beyond, is now stirring up a storm in India with new-age brands like Boba Bhai, Nomi Tea, and Harajuku Tokyo Café taking the lead. Originally concocted in 1980s Taiwan as a refreshing treat for school children, bubble tea has since gone global, adopting many names along the way from 'boba' and 'QQ' to the playful 'booboo' in parts of the West. "One innovative concession holder, to the joy of her clientele, started to add different fruit flavourings to her milky tea, which she then shook vigorously to mix everything together. Bubbles formed on the top. The children loved the new dimension to the sweet, cool taste of their tea and other concession holders followed suit," according to the recent book, "Tea: A Global History" by author Helen Saberi. What is fuelling the trend in India? "As Indian millennials and Gen Z became more influenced by international travel, social media trends, and pop culture, bubble tea known for its colourful aesthetics, chewy tapioca pearls, and multiple flavours naturally caught their attention. Over the last few years, we've seen a rising curiosity for Korean culture, music, foods and drinks in urban India. Bubble tea, with its roots in Taiwan, fits seamlessly into this trend," Dhruv Kohli, founder and CEO of Boba Bhai, told PTI. Mansi Bhatt, a college student in her 20s, is one of them. "I first tried bubble tea in Delhi, and it was refreshing, hip, and trendy. It gives you that sugar rush and social media gratification all at the same time. I love the taste, and the fact that you can experiment with different flavours and toppings makes the whole experience even better," the Dehradun-based said. While the younger crowd makes up the core bubble tea fanbase in India, its appeal is quickly expanding. "When we first launched, bubble tea was still a niche product, but now it's becoming a mainstream Gen Z and millennials are definitely our core audience, but it's not just limited to them. "We see a mix of students, young professionals, and even families coming in for bubble tea. The appeal lies in the experience it's interactive, fun, and customisable," said Gaurav Kanwar, founder of Japan-inspired quick-service restaurant Harajuku Tokyo Cafe with multiple outlets across Delhi-NCR. And even though flavours like classic milk, taro, matcha and even cheese foam got Indians into the bubble tea game, it didn't take long for local taste buds to take over. Soon, desi twists like jamun kala khatta, chilli guava and mango matcha began making their way into the mix because when it comes to flavour, India doesn't stay in the bubble for long. "One of the reasons behind bubble tea's growing success in India is its adaptability to local tastes. As a country known for blending global trends with regional flair whether it's in fashion, food, or entertainment it's no surprise that Indians have embraced bubble tea and started making it their own," said Kohli whose brand Boba Bhai is successfully running 50 stores across India. The unprecedented rise of bubble tea has prompted new-age coffee brands to make space for this latest entrant in the tea family. Tea is the world's second most popular beverage after water. For instance, First Coffee, which claims to be India's fastest-growing specialty coffee brand, brought in international experts to train their team in developing a new range of boba tea. "Boba tea has rapidly become one of the strongest performers in our beverage lineup. The impressive higher sales trend and consistent customer demand for bubble tea have validated its potential as a strategic growth driver for us," said Sohrab Sitaram, co-founder and CEO of First Coffee. Despite its smooth growth trajectory, the beverage's success story comes with a 'sweet' concern its high sugar content often flagged by worried parents. The brands, already aware of what they admit is a "valid concern", are responding by customizing sugar levels and providing sugar-free alternatives. "At Harajuku Tokyo Cafe, we allow customers to choose their sugar levels, ranging from zero sugar to 100 per cent sweetness, so they can control their intake. We've also introduced sugar-free options, Ultimately, it's about balance - bubble tea, like coffee or desserts, is meant to be an indulgence, but with the right options, it can fit into a mindful lifestyle," said Kanwar. The bubble tea industry, well, it's clearly bubbling over.
