Tapioca Express Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Tapioca Express is a Taiwanese-American quick-service franchise known for its wide variety of bubble tea, coffee, fruit-based beverages, slushes, and light snacks. Established in 1999 by Wayne and Stephanie in Alhambra, California, it was one of the first brands to popularize boba drinks in the United States.
The company is headquartered in South El Monte, California, and started offering franchise opportunities in 2000. Since then, Tapioca Express has grown into multiple states, including California, Washington, Texas, and Virginia.
Its menu is extensive, with more than 150 different options such as flavored and milk teas, snow bubble drinks, icy blends, juices, tea slushes, lemon teas, yogurt frosts, coffee varieties, and its signature cheese foam creations.
What sets Tapioca Express apart is its strong focus on quality, relying on premium ingredients imported directly from Taiwan to deliver authentic taste and consistency.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Tapioca Express franchise? It costs on average between $138,000 – $479,000 to start a Tapioca Express franchised restaurant.
This investment covers expenses such as construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating costs. The total amount will vary depending on several factors, including the size and format of the Tapioca Express store, its location, and whether the franchisee decides to lease or purchase the property. Tapioca Express offers 2 types of franchises:
| Franchise Type | Initial Investment |
|---|---|
| Tapioca Express Traditional Café | $217,900 – $479,100 |
| Tapioca Express Kiosk Café | $137,500 – $311,900 |
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Tapioca Express Traditional Café.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $15,000 |
| Deposit | $10,000 |
| Tea Machine Package | $2,400 – $3,000 |
| Initial Marketing Fee | $6,000 |
| Initial Training Fee | $3,000 |
| Site Evaluation Costs | $500 – $3,000 |
| Construction and Leasehold Improvements | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Lease Deposits and Rent – Three Months | $9,000 – $15,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | $45,400 – $164,200 |
| Signage | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Computer, Software, and POS System | $1,100 – $4,400 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $9,000 – $20,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Insurance Deposits – Three Months | $500 – $1,000 |
| Travel for Initial Training | $3,000 – $24,000 |
| Professional Fees | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| General Licenses and Permits | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Additional Funds – Three Months | $20,000 – $30,000 |
| Total Estimate | $217,900 – $479,100 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Tapioca Express franchise? A Tapioca Express franchised restaurant makes on average $592,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
Download the Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Tapioca Express locations are there?
As of the latest available data, Tapioca Express operates a total of 24 locations in the United States. All of these units are franchise-owned, with no company-owned stores reported.
What is the total investment required to open a Tapioca Express franchise?
The total investment required to open a Tapioca Express franchise ranges from $138,000 to $479,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Tapioca Express franchise?
Tapioca Express franchisees pay a 2.5% royalty fee and a 0.5% marketing fee, both calculated from monthly gross sales.
What are the financial requirements to become a Tapioca Express franchisee?
Tapioca Express requires prospective franchisees to have $200,000 to $250,000 in liquid assets in order to qualify for ownership.
How much can a Tapioca Express franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Tapioca Express franchise are approximately $0.59 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $0.59 million yearly revenue can result in $89,000 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Tapioca Express?
The franchise is owned by Tapioca Express Franchising, Inc., which manages the brand and oversees its franchise operations in the United States.
Disclaimer
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