How to Make Your Boba Tea Business Survive
By: Lauren Landry
The demand for boba tea is high, and so are the number of competitors.
The boba tea business remains popular even during the pandemic. This growth is mainly due to the consumers’ growing health consciousness and the healthy benefits of boba tea. Americans are now increasing their water intake, making small changes in their diet, and eating more fruits and vegetables.
In fact, according to Statista, Americans are changing their eating habits because they want to lose weight and prevent future health conditions. This is not surprising, as the pandemic has forced people all around the globe to take extra care of their health.
Because boba tea can strengthen the immune system with its healthy fruity ingredients high in antioxidants, it has become one of the popular drinks during the pandemic. The demand for this drink also resulted in more new shops, meaning more competitors for boba tea businesses like yours.
So even if the demand for this drink is high, having too many competitors will be a challenge for your business.
So how can you keep selling your boba tea products to people and turn them into repeat customers? Here are five ways to make your boba tea business survive today:
- Invest in quality ingredients and packaging.
- Invest in good equipment.
- Ensure the proper training of staff.
- Focus on product development.
- Pivot and innovate.
#1 Invest in quality ingredients and packaging.
Shop A has cheap boba tea products but uses subpar ingredients. On the other hand, Shop B has slightly more expensive drinks but uses only high-quality ingredients. Where would people buy boba tea? Of course, they would prefer Shop B. It is better to pay a bit more for a more delicious drink than save money with a drink you can’t enjoy.
Drinking boba tea and chewing on low-quality tapioca pearls can put people off. The same is the case with juice drinks that taste like plastic. So invest in quality ingredients from a trusted boba supply store and make the drinking experience for your customers enjoyable and memorable.
When it comes to packaging, eye-catching and beautiful designs can supercharge your business. Not only will they be encouraged to purchase drinks, but they will remember your brand as the boba tea shop with amazing packaging.
On the same note, consider eco-friendly packaging to attract customers who are environmentally conscious. Many suppliers today offer reusable and compostable packaging at affordable prices. They are very appealing to health-conscious customers as well.
#2 Invest in good equipment.
Purchasing quality equipment is a good, cost-effective investment. Do not settle for machines that are cheap as they most likely won’t last too long and will immediately need repairs. This will then cost you more in the long run.
The types of essential boba tea shop equipment to invest in are the following:
- Boba tea sealing machine
- Shaker machine
- Mixers
- Sugar dispenser
- Tea blender
- Tea brewer
- Tapioca pearl cooker
- Syrup pumps
- Containers
Having quality equipment can also be a selling point for your brand and ensure that your boba tea products are clean.
#3 Ensure the proper training of staff.
The food and beverage industry is more challenging than other industries because the success of a business depends on the quality of the products. This is why the proper training of staff members is very crucial. Your employees should be properly trained when it comes to preparing and packing food and beverages.
Staff members should know how to properly make the drinks and snacks to maintain quality. They should also observe proper hygiene by wearing masks and gloves and by washing their hands. Receiving a complaint regarding spoiled beverages or food will gravely affect your business or, worse, lead to its closure.
#4 Focus on product development.
Boba tea is actually a very versatile product, and so are the snacks that you can offer. You can experiment with different blends and flavors or even feature additional ingredients. Even if you have best-sellers that sold out pretty quickly, don’t make the mistake of settling with just those flavors. Consider developing your menu items, both the drinks and snacks, to make your boba tea shop stand out.
For example, you can incorporate various types of boba tea -- from the traditional milk-based teas, you can expand to coffee, fruit, and yogurt-based teas. As for the snacks, you can offer both savory and sweet to cater to people with different palate preferences.
Of course, not all of your new products will be a success, so it’s best to test the product among your staff and family first. Holding surveys is also a great way to find out what customers want to see more from your shop.
#5 Pivot and innovate.
Lastly, you should not be afraid to innovate and pivot. Pivoting is a must if your current products and services are not meeting the needs of your market anymore. Because of the stay-at-home and social distancing measures brought by the pandemic, many businesses have been forced to sell their products and services online. Some food businesses that only offer dine-in now have made takeout services available. Others now offer food delivery as well.
On the same note, without innovation, businesses would not prosper. You should go with the flow and accept change whenever possible. As for boba tea businesses, you can consider taking orders on social media pages or on your website. Accept other payment methods besides cash and card. Embracing digital technology can do wonders for your business, so do not be afraid to take this kind of risk.
The takeaway
Never make the mistake of thinking your boba tea business will survive mainly because of the high demand for the drink. You should also consider other factors for your shop to take your close competitors off the edge.
Consider what your customers actually want and need. Focus on cleanliness and quality. Learn to innovate and develop new products. Go digital and pivot, as doing so may only be the way for your boba tea shop to thrive today.
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