1. Geographic Expansion Patterns
According to data from the first two months of the year, new store openings are heavily concentrated in China’s economic and population centers. Guangdong province led the way with 414 new shops, making it the only region to exceed 400 new openings, followed by Jiangsu province with 353 new locations.
This data underscores a continued focus on high-consumption, densely populated coastal provinces as the primary drivers of network growth for major tea chains. The concentration of openings in these regions suggests brands are prioritizing market density and operational efficiency in established, affluent markets.
2. CHAGEE(霸王茶姬) and Mixue(蜜雪冰城): Contrasting Strategic Approaches
CHAGEE(霸王茶姬) released its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, reporting net revenue of CNY 12.91 billion for the year, a 4% increase year-over-year. The company recorded a net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 1.14 billion, with its global store count reaching 7,453 by the end of 2025.
In a separate move, Mixue(蜜雪冰城) announced a policy shift aimed at supporting its existing franchisees, including optimizing partnership standards and increasing the distance requirements between new and existing stores. The company will also offer preferential policies for franchisees looking to deepen their presence within their current trade areas or relocate to more advantageous spots nearby.
While CHAGEE(霸王茶姬) focuses on maintaining profitability with its established network, Mixue(蜜雪冰城) is signaling a strategic pivot from rapid expansion to optimizing its existing store ecosystem. By incentivizing its current franchisees and enforcing greater store spacing, Mixue(蜜雪冰城) is actively working to protect the performance of its existing locations and manage market saturation.
3. New Entrant “Find Tea(找茶)” Makes a Splash in Guangzhou
A new tea beverage brand, Find Tea(找茶), has gained significant attention following its launch in Guangzhou. The brand began a soft launch in three key commercial districts on Valentine’s Day, and after a three-week testing period, officially opened for business on March 6. Its first three stores collectively achieved a total gross merchandise volume exceeding CNY 300,000 in their first three days of official operation.
The successful debut of Find Tea(找茶) demonstrates that despite market maturity, there remains room for new concepts that execute a well-planned launch strategy. The brand’s focus on simultaneous openings in high-traffic core commercial zones allowed for immediate brand visibility and consumer validation, creating a strong market entry.
4. Product Innovations from ChaPanda(茶百道) and M Stand
ChaPanda(茶百道) has reintroduced its Double Scoop Ice Cream Black Tea, a product featuring a Ceylon black tea base paired with vanilla ice cream. Concurrently, M Stand has launched a new Extra Rich Thai Tea series, which includes three beverages: Extra Rich Thai Tea Salty Cheese Latte, Extra Rich Thai Tea Coconut Cloud, and Extra Rich Thai Tea Cheese Cocoa, along with an Extra Rich Thai Tea ice cream.
These launches reflect the ongoing emphasis on nostalgic favorites and bold new flavor profiles. ChaPanda(茶百道) leverages consumer familiarity and brand loyalty by bringing back a popular classic, while M Stand continues to push the boundaries of beverage and dessert hybrids with its Thai tea-themed offerings, catering to a customer base seeking novel sensory experiences.
5. An Unusual Incident at Cotti Coffee(库迪咖啡)
A man, reportedly after being rejected in a romantic pursuit, vandalized a Cotti Coffee(库迪咖啡) location in a university cafeteria, damaging equipment including an espresso machine and a point-of-sale system. The store was forced to temporarily close, with industry insiders estimating the value of the damaged commercial coffee machine to be around CNY 100,000.
While an isolated incident, the event and the subsequent online discussion highlight the significant capital investment in professional-grade equipment within modern coffee shops. It also serves as a reminder of the operational risks and potential disruptions that can arise unexpectedly, underscoring the need for robust store-level risk management.
6. Dongpeng Beverage Crosses the CNY 20 Billion Mark
Dongpeng Beverage released its 2025 annual report, showing total operating revenue of CNY 20.88 billion, a year-over-year increase of 31.80%. Net profit attributable to shareholders was CNY 4.42 billion, up 32.72%. The company’s core product, Dongpeng Special Drink, successfully entered the CNY 15 billion “super single product” category.
The performance of Dongpeng Beverage demonstrates the immense potential of the broader beverage market. Its core energy drink’s leap into the CNY 15 billion sales bracket illustrates that while the ready-to-drink (RTD) sector is distinct from the fresh tea and coffee shop market, the overall consumer demand for functional and specialty beverages remains a powerful growth driver.
