POP O'BOB emblem popobob
Franchise Investment Prospectus | 2026
popobob — specialty bubble tea

A Distinctive Bubble Tea Brand. A Structured Franchise Opportunity.

We have spent nine years perfecting a cup most people finish in five minutes. Now we are looking for partners to take it to new addresses across India.

Explore the Opportunity View Investment Breakdown
Three POP O’BOB signature bubble teas — taro, brown sugar and matcha — with tapioca pearls and toppings
A Note From Our Founder

A little idea. A lot of heart. And a journey that’s only getting started.

popobob

Dear Future Partner,

Like you, we once considered taking up the franchise of an international bubble tea chain. Then we realised something important: India doesn’t just need global flavours. It needs flavours that feel local.

In a country where food is deeply personal, preference matters. So we took one of the world’s most loved drinks and made it our own. That is how POP O’BOB® was born.

What followed were long nights, countless experiments, hard decisions, COVID and more than a few setbacks. With our co-founders, partners and an incredible team beside us, we built more than a bubble tea brand. We built a community.

From a local idea, POP O’BOB® has grown into one of India’s best-loved bubble tea brands. Born in India and now expanding across the globe, our homegrown vision already reaches the USA and Australia, and the Middle East is next. The journey is far from over, and that is the exciting part.

We would love you to be part of what comes next. You won’t be starting from scratch. You will be starting with nearly nine years of experience behind you, and every lesson we learned the hard way becomes your head start.

Great businesses are built on more than numbers. They are built on passion, people and the belief that something meaningful can be created together. That is the spirit we hope you bring to POP O’BOB®.

Take your time with this prospectus. Ask questions, challenge our assumptions and imagine what is possible. When you are ready, let’s talk. Our direct numbers are at the end of this document. Call anytime. I would love to hear your story.

The journey that began with an idea in Hyderabad has so much more to see. Perhaps the next chapter begins with you.

Warmly,
Founder, POP O’BOB®

01 Executive Summary

The opportunity, at a glance.

What we offer, what it costs and how soon it can pay back, on one page. The sections that follow explain each figure in detail.

Brand
Since 2017
Swiggy’s Best Bubble Tea Brand in 2024 and 2025.
Footprint
12+ outlets
India, the United States and Australia.
Formats
Kiosk · Café
A compact mall kiosk, or a full café with an extended menu.
Franchise fee
₹9L + GST
Per outlet, or ₹22L + GST for a cluster of three.
Investment
₹28L · ₹36L
Kiosk · café, franchise fee included.
Royalty
6.5% · 15%
FOFO · FOCO in-store, plus 2.5% online under both. GST extra.
Breakeven
14.4–38.0 mo
The full range across formats, models and scenarios.
Time to launch
8–14 weeks
From our first conversation to opening day.

Breakeven by scenario

Months to recover the full investment, by format, operating model and scenario
Months to recover investmentConservativeModerateOptimistic
Mall Kiosk · ₹28L
FOFO22.918.515.2
FOCO38.029.323.2
Standalone Café · ₹36L
FOFO21.217.314.4
FOCO38.028.722.6

Sales, costs and the full workings are set out in Financials.

In this prospectus

  1. About POP O’BOB Our story
  2. Why partner with us Support
  3. Franchise formats Kiosk · Café
  4. Fee structures Single · Cluster
  5. Operating models FOFO · FOCO
  6. Investment Line by line
  7. Financial model 3 scenarios
  8. Roadmap to launch 8 stages
  9. Questions & answers FAQ
  10. Next steps Contact
02 About POP O’BOB

Experience Behind the Brand. Systems Behind the Experience.

We are a specialty beverage brand, not a drinks counter that happens to sell bubble tea. Our recipes are fixed, our sourcing is deliberate, and our cups taste the same at any hour, in any city.

We took nearly a decade to get the standard right before scaling it. Our team brings more than twenty years of combined food-and-beverage operating experience, and that discipline now runs every one of our outlets in three countries.

We call it The Boba Standard: fresh tea, a fixed sourcing specification and a service rhythm that never changes. It is the system you step into as a franchise partner.

10M+
Cups served across our markets
73%
Of our 2025 customers came back
62+
Drink formats on the menu
100+
Ways to customise a cup
Tapioca pearls being strained from a brass bowl
Ingredient integrity, cup after cup.
Syrup being poured over glossy tapioca pearls
Texture and preparation, never rushed.
A guest picking up two POP O’BOB bubble teas in a takeaway carrier
Built for everyday repeat visits.
Product

A menu that keeps moving

Our in-house R&D team creates every recipe and adapts it to local palates. New formats arrive on a seasonal calendar. Every core drink includes a free topping and comes in two sizes, with vegan options across the menu.

Operations

Repeatable by design

Standard recipes, preparation guides, SOPs and quality checks keep every outlet consistent and shorten the time it takes to train a new team.

Growth

Selective, not aggressive

We sign a limited number of partners each year. That way our support, training and marketing attention stay focused on a small, active franchise family.

Brown sugar boba milk tea
Brown SugarSignature milk tea
Taro boba milk tea
TaroSignature milk tea
Matcha boba milk tea
MatchaSignature milk tea
Thai boba milk tea
ThaiClassic milk tea
Tender coconut boba refresher beside a fresh coconut
Tender CoconutBoba refresher
Mango boba shake topped with popping pearls
MangoBoba shake
03 Why Partner With Us

What you’re buying into.

Bubble tea is a habit. Customers return for taste, texture and the freedom to make each cup their own, and they find new outlets through delivery apps and social media. We give you what it takes to win that habit in your neighbourhood.

  1. 01

    A proven brand

    You open with an established name, tested recipes and years of operating know-how, rather than building a beverage concept from scratch.

  2. 02

    A product that stands apart

    A specialty menu, constant innovation and generous cups give customers a reason to choose you over the counter next door.

  3. 03

    Operations that scale

    Defined workflows mean faster service at peak hours, less wastage and teams that are ready sooner.

  4. 04

    Flexibility

    Pick the format that fits your site, and decide whether you run the outlet yourself or we run it for you.

  5. 05

    Marketing that works for you

    2% of monthly sales funds Meta, Google and local campaigns for your outlet, planned and run by our brand team.

How we support you

Before opening

Getting to day one

  • Location evaluation and format guidance
  • Store planning and design direction
  • Equipment and procurement guidance
  • Menu planning, SOPs and setup assistance
  • Team training
At launch

Opening, calibrated

  • On-ground opening support
  • Product calibration
  • Operational readiness checks
  • Launch campaign
Every month after

Running, together

  • New launches from our R&D team
  • Menu and SOP updates
  • Quality audits and refresher training
  • Performance reviews
04 Franchise Formats

Two formats. One standard.

Same brand, same recipes. The two formats differ in footprint, menu, trading hours and team size, so choose the one that suits your site.

POP O’BOB mall kiosk with menu boards, display chiller and pickup counter
POP O’BOB kiosk in a mall concourse
Brown sugar boba milk tea
Format 01 · Compact

Mall Kiosk

Small footprint, quick service and steady repeat custom in malls, high streets, campuses and offices.

  • Investment₹28 lakh
  • FootprintBelow 700 sq ft
  • MenuBubble tea
  • Trading hours~12 hours a day
  • Team1 senior associate, 2 associatesThe senior associate also runs the shift
  • Average ticket₹360
  • Sales mix80% in-store · 20% online
  • Orders a day66–87Across our three scenarios
Boba Milk TeasBoba Iced TeasBoba ShakesLemonadesVirgin MojitosKorean Milk

Any additional category apart from Bubble Tea needs our prior approval and a check for conflicts with other tenants at the venue.

05 Franchise Fee Structures

One location, or a cluster of three.

Both structures apply to either format and run for five years. Extensions are by mutual consent, on the terms in force at the time.

Structure 01

Single Location

₹9L+ GST
  • Outlets1 Kiosk or Café
  • TerritoryPredefined area
  • Payment100% in advance

The natural starting point, whether this is your first outlet or you have one strong site in mind.

Structure 02

Cluster Franchise

₹22L+ GST for three outlets
  • Outlets3 · any mix of Kiosk and Café
  • TerritoryPredefined areas
  • Opening commitmentAll 3 within 12 months of signing

The cluster fee saves ₹5 lakh against three single fees, and it replaces the ₹9L fee line in each outlet’s budget.

06 Operating Models

Same outlet. Two ways to run it.

You own and fund the outlet in both models. What changes is who runs it day to day, and the royalty that pays for that.

FOFO
Franchise Owned · Franchise Operated
6.5% + GST
In-store royalty
2.5% + GST
Online royalty

You lead the team and the guest experience, with our systems behind you. The lower royalty means you keep more of every sale.

FOCO
Franchise Owned · Company Operated
15% + GST
In-store royalty
2.5% + GST
Online royalty

We run the outlet for you and send you the outlet P&L by the 5th of each month. You get ownership without the day-to-day.

FOFO and FOCO compared
FOFOFOCO
Who runs the outletYou, with our supportOur operations team
Your timeHands-on, every dayA monthly review
Hiring and payrollYour team, trained by usManaged by us, paid by the outlet
ReportingYour own recordsOutlet P&L by the 5th
Best suited toOperators who want to be in the business and keep more of each saleInvestors who want a professionally run outlet
07 Investment

Understand the Investment. Plan the Setup.

This is our recommended planning budget, line by line, with the franchise fee included. Every breakeven in this prospectus is measured against these totals.

POP O’BOB mall kioskMall Kiosk
Total investment
₹28lakh
  • Franchise fee₹9,00,00032.1%
  • Rental advanceDeposit / advance to landlord₹6,00,00021.4%
  • Equipment₹3,00,00010.7%
  • Raw material₹4,00,00014.3%
  • Interior₹2,00,0007.1%
  • Signage, menu & POS₹1,00,0003.6%
  • Working capital₹3,00,00010.7%
  • Total₹28,00,000100%
POP O’BOB standalone café frontageStandalone Café
Total investment
₹36lakh
  • Franchise fee₹9,00,00025.0%
  • Rental advance₹1.25 lakh × 3 months₹3,75,00010.4%
  • Equipment₹7,00,00019.4%
  • Raw material₹5,00,00013.9%
  • Interior₹6,25,00017.4%
  • Signage, menu & POS₹2,00,0005.6%
  • Working capital₹3,00,0008.3%
  • Total₹36,00,000100%
+₹8L
Why the café costs more: equipment +₹4L, interior +₹4.25L, raw material +₹1L and signage & POS +₹1L, partly offset by a rental advance that is ₹2.25L lower.

Shares are rounded to one decimal place. All amounts are approximate and depend on outlet size, location, landlord terms, design choices and equipment specification. GST on the franchise fee is extra. We agree a detailed, site-specific estimate with you before any money is committed.

08 Financial Model

Three scenarios. Every number shown.

Each format is modelled at three sales levels, each a step above the last: 15% per step for the Kiosk and 10% for the Café. FOFO and FOCO share the same sales and costs, so the royalty is the only difference between them.

All twelve outcomes

Monthly sales, operating profit, annual ROI and breakeven for every scenario
ScenarioMonthly salesFOFO profit / monthFOFO ROI / yrFOFO breakevenFOCO profit / monthFOCO ROI / yrFOCO breakeven
Mall Kiosk · ₹28L investment
Conservative₹7,11,000₹1,22,10352.3%22.9 mo₹73,75531.6%38.0 mo
Moderate₹8,17,500₹1,51,17864.8%18.5 mo₹95,58841.0%29.3 mo
Optimistic₹9,40,000₹1,84,62079.1%15.2 mo₹1,20,70051.7%23.2 mo
Standalone Café · ₹36L investment
Conservative₹12,65,000₹1,70,03056.7%21.2 mo₹94,76331.6%38.0 mo
Moderate₹13,91,500₹2,08,23369.4%17.3 mo₹1,25,43941.8%28.7 mo
Optimistic₹15,30,500₹2,50,21183.4%14.4 mo₹1,59,14653.0%22.6 mo

Cost assumptions

Assumptions used in every scenario
Cost lineMall KioskStandalone Café
Cost of goods (COGS)34% of sales34% of sales
Rent20% of sales15% of sales
Electricity, water, maintenance & other operating expenses5% of sales5% of sales
Wastage · marketing1% · 2% of sales1% · 2% of sales
Aggregator commission25% of online sales25% of online sales
Staffing₹72,000 / month2 × ₹22k + senior associate ₹28k₹2,12,000 / month4 × ₹22k, senior associate ₹28k, barista ₹28k, junior barista ₹22k, manager ₹30k, housekeeping ₹16k

Mall rents run higher, so the Kiosk carries 20% rent against 15% for the Café. Royalty is calculated before GST.

Explore a scenario, or test your own numbers

Format
Scenario

Sales

Costs

Investment

FOFO6.5% / 2.5% royalty
FOCO15% / 2.5% royalty
Monthly operating statement
Line itemBasisFOFOFOCO

Where each rupee of sales goes

FOFO · ₹ per month and % of sales

Breakeven across scenarios

Months to recover investment

How the numbers are calculated
  1. Royalty = In-store sales × in-store rate + Online sales × online rate (before GST)
  2. Operating profit = Sales − COGS − rent − utilities & opex − wastage − marketing − aggregator commission − staffing − royalty
  3. Breakeven (months) = Investment ÷ monthly operating profit
  4. Annual ROI = Monthly operating profit × 12 ÷ Investment
  5. Orders a day = Monthly sales ÷ average ticket ÷ 30

Operating profit is outlet profit before depreciation, interest and income tax. Breakeven assumes the outlet trades at the scenario’s sales level from the first month.

What drives outlet economics?

Breakeven as sales and rent change

Longer breakevenShorter breakeven· Outlined cell = current inputs · ▼ = operating loss

Sales and rent move the result most. Staffing is a fixed cost, so each extra rupee of sales lifts profit faster than it lifts costs. A busy site at a fair rent is worth more than any other single decision.

09 Roadmap to Launch

From Evaluation to Opening Day.

Eight stages, each with a set timeline. Select a stage to see what happens in it.

  1. A two-way conversation to confirm we are the right fit for each other.

    • Introductory discussion
    • Your objectives and investment capacity
    • Preferred format, operating model and area
    • Suitability assessment

  2. Every term explained before anyone signs.

    • Walk-through of commercial terms
    • Review of franchise documentation
    • All open questions resolved
    • Agreement signed and fee paid

  3. Finding the right site within your predefined area.

    • Shortlist potential sites
    • Assess visibility, access, catchment and rent
    • Joint site visit with our team
    • Site approval and lease finalisation

  4. A layout that looks like POP O’BOB and works at peak hour.

    • Layout and design development
    • Equipment placement and service flow
    • Signage and customer circulation
    • Design sign-off

  5. Fit-out, procurement and installation.

    • Fit-out coordination
    • Equipment, menu boards and POS installed
    • Opening stock procured
    • Site readiness checks

  6. Your team learns to deliver The Boba Standard.

    • Recipes and preparation
    • SOPs, service, hygiene and quality
    • Equipment and workflow drills
    • Readiness assessment

  7. A week of controlled trading to fine-tune before the doors open fully.

    • Real customers, real orders
    • Service flow and POS tested
    • Early issues fixed
    • Guest feedback reviewed

  8. Your outlet opens to the public.

    • Full trading begins
    • Launch campaign goes live
    • Our opening team on the ground
8 to 14 weeks

With an approved site in hand and design running alongside setup, you can open in about 8 weeks. If every stage runs back to back at full length, it takes up to 14 weeks.

Landlord permissions, approvals and procurement can move these dates. We fix the plan with you once a site is confirmed.

10 Questions & Answers

What partners ask us next.

Answers to the questions that come up once the numbers are clear: eligibility, operations, flexibility and exit.

    Getting started 5

    01Do I need food and beverage experience?

    No. Many first-time owners do well with our training and SOPs. F&B experience helps with the café format. If you would rather not run the outlet yourself, FOCO is designed for exactly that.

    02How do you choose partners?

    We look for the right partner, the right site and a fit that works for both sides. We sign a limited number of partners each year, so every application is reviewed individually.

    03Can I propose my own location?

    Yes. We assess it for visibility, access, catchment, rent and format fit, and it goes ahead once we approve it.

    04What does “predefined area” mean?

    Each franchise covers an area agreed at signing, and your outlet, or each of your three cluster outlets, sits within it. The boundaries are written into your agreement.

    05Is every site approved?

    No. We only approve sites we believe can perform, because a weak site hurts you and the brand alike. Our approval reflects our judgement of the site, not a guarantee of its sales.

    Investment & fees 6

    06Is the franchise fee part of the ₹28L and ₹36L budgets?

    Yes. GST on the fee is charged on top.

    07Are these returns guaranteed?

    No. Our figures are planning estimates built on clearly stated assumptions. Your results will depend on your site, your rent, your sales and how well the outlet is run, which is why we review every location with you before you commit.

    08Does breakeven allow for the time a new outlet takes to build up?

    No. Our breakeven figures assume the outlet trades at its scenario sales from the first month. Most new outlets take a few months to build to that level, so we recommend keeping working capital in reserve for the ramp-up.

    09What could make my investment higher or lower?

    Mainly the landlord’s deposit terms, the condition of the space you take over, its size and your equipment specification. We firm up every line once a site is confirmed.

    10What if a cluster outlet can’t open within 12 months?

    Tell us early. The 12-month commitment is part of the cluster agreement, which also sets out how delays are handled.

    11Is renewal automatic?

    No. After five years, the agreement can be extended by mutual consent on the terms in force at the time.

    FOFO & FOCO 4

    12Which model is right for me?

    Choose FOFO if you want to be in the business every day and keep more of each sale. Choose FOCO if you want a professionally run outlet and are happy to pay a higher royalty for that.

    13Why does FOCO take longer to break even?

    Sales and costs are identical, and only the in-store royalty differs. For a Kiosk in the moderate case, royalty is ₹46,598 a month under FOFO and ₹1,02,188 under FOCO. That leaves operating profit of ₹1,51,178 against ₹95,588.

    14Can I switch models later?

    It can be discussed. A switch needs both sides to agree, and is recorded as an amendment to your agreement.

    15Under FOCO, who covers a month in which the outlet makes a loss?

    You do, as the owner. Under both models every outlet cost, including staffing and rent, is paid by the outlet. Our FOCO royalty pays for running it, not for guaranteeing its results.

    Running the outlet 5

    16Who supplies ingredients and equipment?

    We specify approved products and suppliers so every cup tastes the same, and we guide your equipment purchases during setup.

    17Can I create my own flavours?

    New flavours come from our R&D team. Suggestions are welcome, but nothing goes on sale until we have approved it.

    18Who is responsible for food safety?

    We set the standards and audit against them. Every outlet must also hold an FSSAI licence and comply with local food-safety law.

    19Can I sell on Swiggy and Zomato?

    Yes. We help you onboard onto both platforms, subject to their own approval, and online sales are already built into the financial model.

    20Can POP O’BOB update the menu and SOPs?

    Yes. Keeping the menu fresh and the standard consistent is part of what you buy into. We roll changes out across the system with notice and support, and we share recommended pricing for every launch.

    Transfer & exit 6

    21Can I sell or transfer my franchise?

    A transfer is possible, subject to our approval of the incoming partner and the conditions in your agreement.

    22What if I can no longer run the outlet?

    Talk to us early. Depending on the situation, options may include a transfer to an approved buyer or, if both sides agree, a move to FOCO.

    23What happens if the partner dies or is incapacitated?

    Your agreement sets out succession, including how the franchise can pass to a nominated heir, subject to our approval.

    24What happens at the end of the term?

    You can extend by mutual consent. If you don’t, the agreement sets out the hand-back steps, such as removing branding.

    25Can I run another brand alongside POP O’BOB?

    Competing beverage brands are not permitted. Other businesses are usually fine, and the agreement sets out exactly what counts as a conflict.

    26How are disputes resolved?

    Through the process in the franchise agreement, which starts with a direct conversation between us.

    No questions match that search. Try another word, or ask us directly.

    11 Next Steps

    The Next Step Is a Structured Conversation.

    Tell us about your plans and your preferred area. We will come back with a view on format, site and operating model, and an honest assessment of fit.

    Who we are looking for
    F&B operators

    Restaurant, café or QSR owners adding a specialty beverage brand.

    Multi-unit investors

    Investors building a portfolio on an established system.

    Entrepreneurs

    First-time owners ready to be in the business every day.

    Location owners

    Owners of malls, high streets, campuses or prime commercial space.

    Request a Franchise Discussion Review the Investment Breakdown
    First point of contact
    Nihar Alladi
    Brand Manager · franchise, brand & operations
    Phone
    +91 94908 99732
    Email
    nihar.alladi@popobob.com
    General
    partnerships@popobob.com
    Escalation point of contact
    Shiva Abhinav Amaraneni
    Co-Founder
    Phone
    +91 77990 56666
    Email
    shiva.amaraneni@gmail.com
    Important information

    Planning estimates. Investment, sales, profit, ROI and breakeven figures are estimates based on the assumptions shown, not guarantees. Breakeven assumes the outlet trades at its scenario sales from the first month. New outlets usually take a few months to build up to that level, so plan your working capital for the ramp-up. Actual results depend on location, rent, sales, costs and execution.

    Agreement and advice. This prospectus is not an offer or a contract. The signed franchise agreement governs the partnership. We encourage every partner to take independent financial, legal and tax advice before signing.