The Town of Vienna is about to welcome a new addition to its culinary scene, as the popular chain of bubble tea shops, Vivi Bubble Tea, prepares to open its latest franchise.
Anticipated to debut in mid-April, the new Vivi Bubble Tea location will be situated at 233 Maple Avenue East, according to Yaya Zhang, who manages both the upcoming Vienna cafe and the existing Fairfax City establishment located at 9974 Main Street.
Occupying the former Elite Tutoring Place in Glyndon Shopping Center, the new Vivi Bubble Tea cafe joins a row of diverse businesses, including Pizza Vienna and Bruster’s Ice Cream.
Explaining the decision to expand into Vienna, Zhang highlights the opportunity to engage with a distinct customer base compared to their Fairfax patrons. “Vivi Bubble Tea would like to increase its brand presence and respond to customer demand, and we believe Vienna Town offers an attractive demographic profile and foot traffic,” Zhang explains via email. “Compared to the Fairfax City branch, which serves college students and nearby residents, the Vienna Town branch is looking to attract families, young professionals, and other nearby residents.”
Originating in 2007 with a focus on cutting-edge tea production technology, Vivi Bubble Tea has rapidly expanded from its inaugural store in New York City to over 100 locations across four continents and 13 countries.
The surge in popularity of bubble tea across the United States, driven by chains like Vivi and Sharetea, has introduced the beverage to a broader audience. First introduced in Taiwan in the 1980s, bubble tea comprises cold, sweet milk tea combined with chewy tapioca balls, or boba.
Vivi Bubble Tea distinguishes itself with a diverse menu offering both dairy and non-dairy milk teas, fruit and jelly teas, flavored hot tea, soda, and slushes available in flavors like strawberry, lychee, and Oreo cookie. Additionally, customers can customize their orders with various toppings and adjust sugar or ice levels to their preference.
Beyond beverages, Vivi Bubble Tea serves up Asian street food delights such as popcorn chicken, bento boxes, and takoyaki, a traditional Japanese snack.
“We believe that by offering a range of food options alongside their bubble tea drinks, Vivi Bubble Tea can attract customers looking for a complete dining experience or those who want to enjoy a snack or meal with their beverages,” Zhang adds.
The Vienna location marks Vivi Bubble Tea’s third franchise in Virginia, joining its Fairfax and Eden Center in Falls Church counterparts.
Zhang assures that the business intends to actively engage with the local community, promising customers a variety of promotions and discounts upon opening.
“We can’t wait to open up and service everyone in Vienna,” Zhang concludes enthusiastically.