Two franchise brands stirring up the beverage industry with innovation and tea-based drinks
By Jan Jennings
Some like their tea hot, some like it cold. Others prefer 50 percent ice, oat milk instead of whole milk, and matcha crema on top. Don’t forget the boba—or was it the coconut jelly? Pair it with a signature muffin or an ube treat, and you have an order that’s uniquely yours.
Tea is trending as consumers reach for creative plays on the classic drink, from custom-built boba creations to new ways of serving matcha. One thing we know for sure: the best kind of tea for potential franchisees is fresh, well sourced, and steaming with information worth spilling.
Franchise Canada spoke with Chatime and Columbus Café to explore what it takes to keep these franchises brewing.
Chatime
Chatime is teatime. In Chinese, “cha” means “tea,” and the brand’s full name translates to “sunrise tea”—wherever there is a sunrise, there is a Chatime, reflecting one of the global founders’ original missions. For many consumers familiar with bubble tea, Chatime is often top of mind.
“People know us as the OG brand, the original, because we were the first in the Canadian market with authentic bubble tea. We shaped how this unique beverage is experienced in Canada today,” says Roxanne Tsui, vice president of marketing at Chatime Canada.
Chatime opened its first Canadian location in 2011 by the corner of Bay and Dundas Streets in Toronto. “It attracted a very loyal following, with lineups around the corner. That was the moment our founders had realized we unlocked something here,” says Tsui.
Since then, Chatime has expanded to 100 locations across Ontario and British Columbia. “Prior to Chatime entering the market, bubble tea was still a niche category and often made with low-quality ingredients,” Tsui explains. Chatime is committed to their craft, sourcing tea leaves from renowned regions across Asia, then brewing them with exacting standards to unlock flavour, aroma, and depth.
Chatime continues to raise the boba bar, offering a menu that is halal-certified and designed to be intuitive for both first time customers and seasoned bubble tea enthusiasts. Its multisensory approach combines balanced flavour profiles, layered textures, and pearls slow-cooked in-store.
The brand also maintains a rapid pace of innovation, launching multiple limited-time offerings each year. Recent examples include collaborations with Oreo as well as Barbie-themed pink drinks created for International Women’s Day.
Franchising with Chatime means you’re not simply a cog in a machine, Tsui says. Franchisees are viewed as partners, with franchisee success equating to Chatime success. An entrepreneurial spirit, strong leadership qualities, and an owner-operator mindset are essential for owners with the brand.
The benefits of partnering with Chatime include strong brand equity and established consumer loyalty. Franchisees are supported with turnkey solutions across operations and marketing, along with technology such as kiosks and a loyalty program that delivers seamless, personalized experiences to customers that help drive traffic. At the same time, partners are expected to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences rooted in community.
Tsui adds, “We believe that strong growth comes from helping every existing franchise partner build a stronger business each year. Whether you decide Chatime is the right brand for you, always choose a brand that aligns with your values and a franchisor that continues to innovate and adapt to new customer needs.”
Columbus Café
Columbus Café was founded in France in 1994 after Philippe Bloch discovered coffee shops as a student in New York and brought the concept back with him. In 2007, Nicolas Riche became CEO and accelerated the brand’s development, which has now grown to more than 300 locations worldwide. The Columbus Café Canada master franchise was launched five years ago with the goal of bringing the brand’s expertise to the Canadian market.
“Currently, there are 25 locations, with 20 in Quebec and five in Ontario,” says Louis Metzger, franchise development manager.
What sets Columbus Café apart comes down to its coffee, exceptional customer service, and quality local ingredients. Its specialty? Muffins, made in-house and filling each location with an inviting aroma. The baked good remains a customer favourite alongside classic lattes, though demand continues to grow for other traditional coffees and tea-based beverages such as matcha, chai, and iced teas.
When it comes to adding items to the menu, Metzger explains, “The process involves both the marketing and operations teams, while recognizing that customer needs differ based on location. That understanding is key when creating the menu.” Columbus prides itself on offering customers the best 15 minutes of their day.
For potential franchisees, there is no specific educational background required. However, an entrepreneurial mindset, strong leadership and relationship-building skills, and the ability to connect with the community are essential, as this is a human-first business. Industry knowledge and the finesse to handle a rush are also valuable assets.
Columbus Café aims to feel like a third home for its customers.
Franchising with Columbus Café comes with significant benefits, but also its share of challenges. One of the main challenges franchisees face is operating in a particularly competitive market.
Metzger explains, “There are two main types of competitors. On one hand, we compete with large coffee shop chains, differentiating ourselves through the quality of our products and the artisanal way we prepare and serve our coffee. On the other hand, we also compete with smaller, independent local coffee shops. However, the strength of our network and the expertise of the different teams at our head office give us a significant competitive advantage. This highly competitive environment constantly pushes us to differentiate ourselves, innovate, and stay in tune with evolving market trends.”
The benefits of the brand include a high level of support, with a dedicated team focused on assisting franchisees. The human side of the business is strongly emphasized as well.
Columbus Café is also taking innovation further by developing a barista certification training program with ITHQ, the Culinary, Tourism & Hotel Management School in Montreal, to deliver a consistent five-star experience across all locations. This program will help further enhance the customer experience and help Columbus reach its goal of 100 locations within the next five years.
Metzger’s advice to potential franchisees is clear: “Never compromise on location. Validate it through careful analysis, not instinct. Assess your trade area, customers, visibility, accessibility, traffic, and lease terms. Surround yourself with the right team, invest in training, and create memorable customer experiences. Happy customers become your best brand ambassadors and your most powerful marketing.”
