Known by various monikers such as milk tea, bubble tea, or boba tea, this refreshing beverage has evolved from its early days as simply “pearl shake” in the early 2000s.
The enduring popularity of milk tea knows no bounds, with a plethora of flavors and toppings to cater to diverse tastes. Recently, Mark Salazar of “24 Oras” embarked on a tour of three milk tea establishments in Romblon, Bacolod City, and Quezon City to gauge both business operations and consumer preferences.
In Bacolod City’s Lacson Tourism Strip, one milk tea emporium sees a daily turnover of 200 to 300 cups, with its strawberry ice blended mix reigning supreme among patrons. This customizable delight offers a medley of sinkers including taro, red beans, pudding, lychee, grass jelly, and even mojito!
Delivery rider Mark Carreon attests to the surge in demand, especially during scorching weather spells. Meanwhile, in Looc, Romblon, an establishment’s top seller is the avocado graham milk tea, a concoction that has garnered a loyal following since its inception in 2017.
Owner Patty Sari reflects on her humble beginnings, starting with a modest setup outside her residence before expanding to a full-fledged restaurant. She admits to initial skepticism regarding milk tea’s reception in the area, but her doubts were swiftly dispelled.
The metropolitan landscape is peppered with an abundance of milk tea havens, with establishments like Cobo Tea in Quezon City once boasting 14 outlets at its zenith in 2014. Despite subsequent closures due to property acquisitions, Cobo Tea adapted by transitioning predominantly to online platforms, where sales surged by 50 percent amidst the pandemic-induced closures.
For aspiring entrepreneurs eyeing the lucrative milk tea market, opportunities abound. Suppliers offer comprehensive starter kits and training, catering to a spectrum of investment levels. A high-end venture may necessitate an initial outlay of approximately P250,000, covering essential equipment and ingredients for sustained operation. Conversely, a smaller-scale enterprise could kick off with as little as P50,000 in capital, providing a more accessible entry point into this burgeoning industry.
