Company: Bubble Citea, Portsmouth, England
Nomination Submitted by: Jing Capital Ltd (trading as Boba Buzz)
Company Description: Bubble Citea is the largest wholly owned bubble tea brand in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. It was founded in 2013 by our CEO, Suneet Sachdeva, and has in excess of 400 employees across the UK.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Food & Beverage - Large
 Nomination Title: Bubble Citea
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 199 words used.
BLAZING A TRAIL
Introducing bubble tea to UK consumers over 10 years ago, Bubble CiTea are leading the UK bubble tea industry. Not only were we one of the first to implement this product in the UK, but we have a unique spin, while maintaining traditional values of Taiwanese tea culture. Our menu includes extensive flavors, providing endless combinations for our customers to choose from. From seasonal-themed drinks to exciting new flavor combinations, our contemporary approach to Taiwanese tea sets us apart from competitors.
10 YEARS OF SUCCESS
Since 2013, when Bubble CiTea was founded, it has seen unparalleled success. Our innovations in marketing, in-store experiences and products have allowed us to dominate the UK bubble tea industry. We’ve already exceeded the predicted UK bubble tea industry growth rate of 6% per year (Allied Market Research), with a revenue increase of 270% between 2021 and 2022, and 25% from 2022-2023, our best year yet:
2021-£6,235,394
2022-£12,207,945
2023-£19,135,948
(See Appendix-1)
FRANCHISE LAUNCH
To keep the momentum going, this year we celebrate the launch of our new franchising model, which we expect will catapult our business to new success, growing our brand across the nation.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 215 words used.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN GROWTH
As the largest wholly-owned UK bubble tea brand and one of the top three UK bubble tea brands, we are key players in setting the tone for the rest of the industry. In 2022 alone, we opened 11 new stores across the UK, contributing to a total of 50 stores across the UK.
INVESTING IN EXPERIENCES
In 2023, we invested in our digital proposition. This has equipped us with a harmonious system that allows our HR, inventory, delivery platforms (e.g. Uber Eats) and training systems to function alongside our till system. (See Appendix-2). This has allowed us to sync all of our digital platforms and ultimately expand our offering to improve our in-store experience. We have:
- Launched our click-and-collect app.
- Launched our in-store self-serve kiosks. (See Appendix-3)
- Consolidated our training to one platform, with the ability to monitor progress. (See Appendix-2 & 4)
GROWING OUR SOCIAL MEDIA REACH
Our social media following has grown significantly, with over 1 million TikTok followers and nearly 60,000 Instagram followers, thanks to our seasonal drinks and our rapid response to trends.
Our top-viewed TikTok has 23.6M views, alongside others that have 16.8M views and 18.5M views. This has allowed us to promote the bubble tea industry online to a broader audience.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 248 words used.
MARKETING
Customizing your beverage to our level in-store is an experience in itself, but we also attract customers through our:
- Huge, unique and exciting menu - featuring creatively themed/seasonal drinks, including vegan options, allowing us to cater for the largest number of customers.
- Successful Instagram and TikTok pages - With 55k+ Instagram followers and 1M+ TikTok followers.
- Mystery/surprise Bubble CiTea keyrings and pins
- Drink customization and at-home kits
(See Appendix-5).
INNOVATION
Unique functionality includes our:
- Sector-first kiosk water technology, allowing us to set up four kiosks where other drinks kiosks can’t be installed.
- Shipping container stores: fully-functional stores which can be dropped in any location within just two days. Unlike competitors, ours don’t need a water source/drainage.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR DIGITAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Our digital transformation has also allowed us to:
- Integrate our self-serve kiosks, which have transformed how we function and customers’ in-store experience. Our self-serve kiosks have transformed the way we function and the way our customers use our services. In a recent staff survey, 100% agreed that our self-serve kiosks give our customers the option to explore the menu at their own pace and that they are easy for colleagues to use.
- Integrate our click-and-collect app with c.200,000 users, into in-store systems, allowing staff to make orders instantly without disrupting in-store interactions, and resulting in a 9.4% increase in average transaction value.
Digitalisation on this scale is unheard of in the bubble tea space, which usually stays significantly behind in technological developments.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 29 words used.
Appendix-1: Revenue stats
Appendix-2: More on our digital proposition
Appendix-3: Self-serve kiosk stats
Appendix-4: More on our training and certification
Appendix-5: More on our marketing and our unique offering
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