Franopolis

    Chatime

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Researching Chatime franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.

    Reviewed sources
    Franchising since
    2006
    Source: franchise.org
    Headquarters
    Sydney, NSW Australia
    Source: franchise.org

    Chatime franchise specializes in Taiwanese-style bubble tea and premium tea beverages, operating locations across multiple international markets.

    Headline figures

    Quick facts

    How much does it cost to open a Chatime franchise?
    The Chatime Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $291,100 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 19). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Chatime initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $289,900 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 13). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    Does Chatime disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Chatime FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 53). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Chatime locations are there?
    The FDD reports 36 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 54). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1Opening costs are estimated at $291,100 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 reports revenue for 13 Franchised locations.
    3. 3Outlets declined by 2 in 2025, to 36 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Total estimated initial investment

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 19

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 13
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    49 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    One reported population. Revenue is not owner income.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Revenue · 13 locations

    Who is counted
    US Chatime Franchise LLC agreement stores operating more than 12 months at current location and open December 31, 2025
    Period
    Location #2
    Excluded
    Stores open less than one year; affiliate La Kaffa or Chatime USA LLC agreements
    Method
    POS reports and franchisee materials; unaudited/unverified. Net Sales includes online sales; excludes refunds, staff tips and remitted sales taxes.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 54

    Net +2 outlets, 2023–2025

    0342023382024362025+4−2

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($291,100) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units decreased from 38 to 36 in 2025. What drove the change?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 19
    2. [2]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 13
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record · PDF p. 53
    4. [4]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 54

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025cash$5,594
    2025accounts and franchise fees receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$172,533
    2025prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$16,709
    2025due from member$229
    2025total current assets$249,032
    2025prepaid commissions, net of current$1,008,330
    2025total assets$1,257,626
    2025accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$200,828
    2025total current liabilities$296,923
    2025due to member$35,015
    2025due to affiliates, netMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$154,737
    2025total liabilities$2,127,921
    2025franchise fees$115,922
    2025total revenues$386,706
    2025selling, general and administrative expenses$840,662
    2025net loss-$453,956
    2025member's equity - beginning-$416,339
    2025members' equity-$870,295
    2025accounts and franchise fees receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$32,520
    2025prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$11,397
    2025accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$151,556
    2025due to affiliates, netMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$78,809
    2025deferred revenue$147,978
    2025net cash provided byMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$133,544
    2025increase-$5,121
    2025net cash provided byMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$4,594
    2025member's contributions-$526
    2025net increase in cash-$138,664
    2025cash - ending$5,594
    2025deferred revenue, current$96,095
    2025loss before other income-$453,956
    2025prepaid commissions, current$53,967
    2025prepaid commissions-$79,581
    2025deferred revenue, net of current portion$1,641,246
    2025royalties and marketing fund fees$270,784
    2025property and equipment, net$264
    2025member's equity-$870,295
    2025additions to property and equipment$527
    2025depreciation and amortization$527
    2024cash$144,258
    2024accounts and franchise fees receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$205,053
    2024prepaid commissions, current$49,370
    2024prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$5,312
    2024due from member$20,108
    2024property and equipment, net$791
    2024prepaid commissions, net of current$933,346
    2024total assets$1,358,238
    2024deferred revenue, current$92,959
    2024total current liabilities$142,231
    2024due to member$60,015
    2024due to affiliates, netMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$75,928
    2024deferred revenue, net of current portion$1,496,404
    2024member's equityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$416,340
    2024total liabilities and member's equity$1,358,238
    2024royalties and marketing fund fees$88,993
    2024total revenues$141,524
    2024loss before other income-$563,862
    2024member's equity - beginning$144,725
    2024net lossMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$561,065
    2024depreciation and amortization$263
    2024prepaid commissions-$824,218
    2024prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$6,638
    2024due to affiliates, netMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$75,928
    2024deferred revenue$1,262,368
    2024additions to property and equipment-$1,054
    2024net cash provided byMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$338,853
    2024net increase in cash$138,971
    2024franchise fees$52,531
    2024member's equityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$416,340
    2024total liabilities$1,774,578
    2024other income$2,797
    2024accounts and franchise fees receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$205,053
    2024net lossMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$561,065
    2024increase$339,907
    2024total current assets$424,101
    2024accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$49,272
    2024net cash provided byMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$199,882
    2024selling, general and administrative expenses$705,386
    2024accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$45,257
    2023cash$5,287
    2023prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$11,950
    2023due from member$300,000
    2023total current assets$324,229
    2023total assets$475,735
    2023accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$4,015
    2023deferred revenue, current$23,983
    2023deferred revenue, net of current portion$303,012
    2023total liabilities$331,010
    2023total liabilities and member's equity$475,735
    2023franchise fees$2,706
    2023total revenues$2,706
    2023selling, general and administrative expenses$57,981
    2023net lossMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$55,275
    2023member's equityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$144,725
    2023net lossMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$55,275
    2023prepaid commissions-$158,498
    2023prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$11,950
    2023accounts payable and accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$4,015
    2023deferred revenue$326,995
    2023net cash provided byMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$105,287
    2023increase-$300,000
    2023net cash provided byMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$300,000
    2023prepaid commissions, current$6,992
    2023prepaid commissions, net of current$151,506
    2023total current liabilities$27,998
    2023member's equityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$144,725
    2023loss before other income-$55,275
    2023member's contributions$200,000
    2023net increase in cash$5,287

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

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    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.