Cai Ca, a novel bubble tea brand, conceived and established by the ex-CEO of Gong Cha’s Singapore franchise, Kang Puay Seng, has effectively filled the void left by Gong Cha’s departure from the city-state by taking over six of its former outlets.
Cai Ca made its debut in Singapore with stores at prominent locations such as Lot One, Bugis Junction, NUS UTown, King Albert Park, Northpoint City, and Century Square. The brand also has plans for an additional outlet at the National University of Singapore. The development of the new tea brand was an expedited process, taking only a month to come to fruition, a feat achievable due to the vast experience of the founder and his team.
Cai Ca’s offerings include beverages made with Japanese soya milk and tea, such as Osmanthus Soy Milk Tea, Toffee Chewy Pearl Soy Milk Tea, and Da Hong Pao Soy Milk Tea. In addition to these innovative concoctions, it also offers fresh milk tea and a variety of other tea options. Furthermore, the brand plans to unveil healthier drink options and snacks that perfectly complement its beverages in the near future.
Gong Cha, a bubble tea brand originating from Taiwan, was among the pioneers of the bubble tea market in Singapore. Since opening its first outlet in 2009, it rapidly gained popularity among Singaporeans. The brand briefly exited the Singapore market in June 2017, only to return six months later under the new franchisee, Gong Cha Singapore. However, all the 29 Gong Cha outlets in Singapore were closed last month, with plans to reopen in 2026 through new local franchisees with updated Gong Cha 2.0 stores.
Despite the brand’s fluctuating presence, all full-time staff members of Gong Cha, numbering over 20, were retained and have now been assimilated into the Cai Ca team. Kang expressed his commendation for the team’s resilience, noting the immense pressure they faced and their relentless effort in building the new in-house brand. He emphasised the brand’s intention to first establish a robust brand image and assure product quality before considering further expansion.
What is Cai Ca’s plan for future outlets?
The brand has plans to open an additional outlet at the National University of Singapore.
What are some of the unique offerings on Cai Ca’s menu?
The menu includes innovative drinks like Osmanthus Soy Milk Tea, Toffee Chewy Pearl Soy Milk Tea, and Da Hong Pao Soy Milk Tea.
What happened to the staff at Gong Cha after its outlets closed in Singapore?
All full-time employees at Gong Cha were retained and are now part of the Cai Ca team.
