This chain of tea with bubbles is “the biggest brand that no one has ever heard of” with more stores than McDonald’s

For those of you who thought McDonald’s and Starbucks were the world’s largest food and drink chains by number of locations, think again.

It turns out that the largest Chinese chain of tea and bubble drinks, mix ice cream and tea, which many can be unknown to many, has more outlets than any of the more famous chains.

The company saw that more than 40 percent had increased their shares after US debut in the amount of $ 444 million to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Through a large franchise network, Mixe has more than 45,000 stores that extend in China and 11 foreign countries, including Thailand, Singapore and Australia, since last September.

For comparison, McDonald’s burger chain has over 43,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, while Coffee Giant Starbucks has approximately 40,000 outlets around the world.

Modest origin, low prices

The chain adapted to the budget was launched by Zhang Hongchao founder in 1997 as a small shaved ice shop with a homemade machine in the northern town of Zhengzhou. The chain used the growing thirst for tea with bubbles in China and elsewhere, helping him grow into a franchise giant as he is today.

“It’s the biggest brand that no one has ever heard of,” said Robert Carter, analyst of a restaurant in Stratonhuter. “They just exploded.”

Mixue has become a national icon among Chinese consumers and its striking Jingle translates English to: “I love you, love me, mix ice cream and tea,” set up in a melody of popular American songs Oh! Susanna.

Watch | Mixue -ov striking jingle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdunm6c59zw

His full name, Mixue Bingcheng, means “Sweet Snow Palace” according to the company website. Known for the playful snowman’s mascot called Snow King, which bears a crown and a red robe, mix has become popular with young consumers for sale of fruit and tea drinks, coffee and ice cream, for low price – usually about $ 1.

“They have a really interesting price strategy. They keep things very low, but the quality of their products is high,” Carter said. “So, it also allowed them to really grow dramatically and get a lot of younger consumers from that price.”

Bubble tea is one of the few bright places on the Consumer Front in China, and low -priced operators have worked especially well.

Mixe controls your own supply chain

By the end of September 2024, over 99 percent more than 45,000 company stores were franchised, regulatory applications of Mixue showed. Almost all of his stores are managed by franchises, unlike Starbucks, which directly manages 53 percent of his stores.

However, Mixe does not depend primarily on the franchise fees for its income, and the franchise fees consisted only 2.4 percent of the total revenue in the first three quarters of 2024, according to his subjugation.

Although many see Mark as a traditional drink salesman, it acts more like the supplier of raw materials, sales of food materials, packages and equipment with thousands of franchises, according to his sub -also. Most of the income comes from the sale of goods and equipment in franchised stores, which are needed to buy these mixes from Mixe.

“They don’t just make money from the franchise model,” Carter said. “They also do this because they control the supply chain and increase profit from the sale of products to their network.”

Is the next North America?

In his submission of IPO January, Mixue said he was planning to continue to grow, while admitting that his strategy for expanding the store network “could lead to competition and among our existing stores and against our competitors.”

Carter believes Mixue could come to North America because it is an area for them.

“I would expect to look at North America. Canada and now they are a segment of the Bill Billet Restaurant,” he said.

CBC News reached for mixing, but did not immediately answer working hours.

“I wouldn’t turn it off … With so much immigration from Asia, this brand could have the direct recognition of the brands in the right locations,” said Vince Sgabellone, an expert in food products at the Circun Market Research Company. “The challenge will be in filling their low price model.”

And although the Bob chain has more outlets than American Giants fast food McDonald’s, Starbucks and Subway globally, Mixue’s Sales Sell Trail Starbucks, Inspire Brands, owned by Dunkin ‘and Baskin-Robbbins, and Tim Hortons, according to a research company based in Singupar.