Since when has La Kaffa offered franchises for businesses offering high-end tea-based beverages under the trade name 'Chatime Lounge'?
Chatime Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
La Kaffa also offers franchises for a number of other Store concepts by itself or through its subsidiaries. La Kaffa has offered franchises for businesses offering specialty coffees, teas, and meals under the trade name "La Kaffa Coffee" since July 2010. As of December 31, 2024, La Kaffa has sold one La Kaffa Coffee franchise worldwide. La Kaffa has offered franchises for businesses offering Taiwanese traditional desserts under the trade name "ZenQ Dessert" since January 2012. As of December 31, 2024, La Kaffa has sold one ZenQ Dessert franchise worldwide. La Kaffa has offered franchises for businesses offering specialty baked goods under the trade name "Bake Code" since November 2014. As of December 31, 2024, La Kaffa has sold approximately five Bake Code franchises worldwide. La Kaffa has offered franchises for businesses offering high-end tea-based beverages under the trade name "Chatime Lounge" since October 2016. As of December 31, 2024, La Kaffa has not sold any Chatime Lounge franchises worldwide. La Kaffa has offered franchises for businesses offering Sichuan folk beef noodles under the name "Duan Chun Zhen" since July 2019. As of December 31, 2024, La Kaffa has sold 14 Duan Chun Zhen franchises worldwide.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor, and Any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 6–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chatime's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, La Kaffa has been offering franchises for businesses specializing in high-end tea-based beverages under the trade name "Chatime Lounge" since October 2016. As of December 31, 2024, La Kaffa had not sold any Chatime Lounge franchises worldwide. This indicates that while the franchise concept exists, it has not yet been adopted by franchisees.
This information is important for potential Chatime franchisees as it shows the different franchise concepts offered by La Kaffa, the parent company. While Chatime is focused on gourmet coffees and teas, bubble tea, and related products, La Kaffa also has other concepts like La Kaffa Coffee, ZenQ Dessert, Bake Code, and Duan Chun Zhen. The Chatime Lounge concept, however, has not yet gained traction in the franchise market.
Prospective franchisees should consider the implications of investing in a relatively new or unproven franchise concept like Chatime Lounge. While the Chatime brand itself has a significant presence with over 1,112 stores worldwide, the Lounge concept's lack of sales may indicate challenges or a need for further development. It would be prudent for potential franchisees to inquire about the reasons for the lack of Chatime Lounge franchise sales and the franchisor's plans for developing and supporting this concept.