UMe Tea is a California-based bubble tea chain founded in 2019 that creatively bridges Asian tea culture with American Gen-Z preferences. Known for embedding surprise plush toys in drink cups – driving viral TikTok engagement – it transforms bubble tea into a collectible social experience. With pastel aesthetics and K-pop ambiance, its stores attract a diverse clientele (40% non-Asian). The company achieved profitability across its California locations pre-funding and leverages automation for operational efficiency.
Location: United States, California, Cupertino