It's Boba Time
The total investment to open a It's Boba Time franchise ranges from $466,000 to $597,000. The initial franchise fee is $45,000. Ongoing royalties are 5% plus a 2% advertising fee.
What is the It's Boba Time franchise?
It's Boba Time operates in the snack and nonalcoholic beverage sector, with a focus on bubble tea and customizable drinks. The global nonalcoholic beverage market was valued at USD 1.13 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030. The global bubble tea market reached USD 2.41 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach USD 4.08 billion by 2030, reflecting a 7.8% compound annual growth rate. These figures point to continued demand for convenient, distinctive, and customizable beverages. It's Boba Time has 36 active units, and all 36 are franchised. Its fully franchised structure centers expansion on franchisees rather than company owned stores. The brand operates in the Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars category, where repeat purchases, international flavors, visual presentation, and customer customization can support customer loyalty. Its performance depends on delivering a consistent boba experience across its operating territories.
Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars benefit from several consumer and operating trends. The global nonalcoholic beverage market stood at USD 1.13 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow at 5.8% through 2030. Bubble tea is growing faster, with a 2023 market value of USD 2.41 billion, a projected 7.8% compound annual growth rate, and a forecast value of USD 4.08 billion by 2030. Customers continue to seek on the go convenience, customizable food and beverage choices, and international or exotic flavors. Health conscious customers may also look for varied sweetness levels, dairy alternatives, and fresh ingredients. Beverage purchases can become social experiences when customers share them through social media. Franchise investors may find the category attractive because beverage concepts can have lower overhead than full service restaurants, simpler operations, and potentially higher margins on drink sales. Smaller footprints, including kiosks and inline stores, can reduce initial capital needs and make site selection easier. Competition remains fragmented, making ingredient quality, service speed, brand distinction, and location central considerations. It's Boba Time's 36 franchised locations show a distinct product concept operating within this market. Beverage concepts may also benefit from repeat business, a relatively straightforward supply chain, and the ability to adjust menus as customer preferences change.
A buyer evaluating an It's Boba Time franchise should assess the financial structure used by comparable Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars concepts. Typical franchise fees for similar beverage and snack businesses range from $25,000 to $50,000. That fee generally provides access to established trademarks, proprietary recipes, operating systems, initial training, and continuing support. Comparable fast casual beverage concepts often require a total initial investment of $150,000 to $500,000, with the amount affected by location, store size, and build out requirements. Common uses of these funds include leasehold improvements, equipment such as blenders, tea brewers, ice machines, and point of sale systems, initial inventory, grand opening marketing, signage, permits, and working capital for the opening period. For concepts with an investment range of $150,000 to $500,000, franchisors commonly look for liquid capital of $50,000 to $150,000 and a minimum net worth of $250,000 to $500,000. These reserves can help cover the initial project and unexpected operating costs. Comparable beverage franchises often charge royalties of 5% to 8% of gross sales for brand development, research and development, and corporate support. Advertising fees commonly range from 1% to 3% of gross sales and may support system wide marketing, digital campaigns, and brand promotion. A buyer should model both opening costs and continuing fees when evaluating total ownership costs.
The operating model for a Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bar generally emphasizes efficient preparation, consistent products, and customer service. Daily work includes preparing drinks with established recipes and quality ingredients, managing teas, toppings, fresh fruits, and syrups, maintaining equipment, and keeping the store clean and inviting. Staff also handle customer interaction, order fulfillment, and cash processing through point of sale systems. A typical boba shop may schedule 3 to 5 employees per shift during regular hours, with additional employees during busy periods based on sales volume and store size. Beverage preparation can be taught to entry level employees with an emphasis on speed, accuracy, and customer engagement. Boba concepts commonly operate in compact inline stores in busy retail centers, mall or transit hub kiosks, and, in some suburban markets, drive thru locations. These formats can reach different customer groups and traffic patterns, although the specific formats for It's Boba Time are not detailed. New franchisees and initial management teams commonly complete 1 to 2 weeks of training covering drink preparation, operating procedures, inventory, marketing, customer service, and point of sale systems. Continuing support can include ingredient supply coordination, marketing materials, seasonal campaigns, operating updates, field visits, and research and development for new menu items. Franchisors commonly define exclusive territories to limit internal competition. Each of the 36 franchised units therefore operates within a designated market. Experienced single unit operators may receive incentives or preferential terms to develop additional units.
It's Boba Time has a Loan Activity Score of 61, categorized as Moderate. The Franchise Performance Index is a PeerSense measure of brand health, growth potential, and franchisee satisfaction based on operational and financial indicators. A score of 61 indicates a stable opportunity with a basic level of operating performance and franchisee engagement. It reflects consistent activity and some level of success across the system. The brand has 36 active locations, all franchised, and the units include Google ratings, showing an established consumer facing presence. Investors assessing the category can also review industry benchmarks. The global bubble tea market's projected 7.8% compound annual growth rate through 2030 supports continued demand for the category. A buyer should still build financial projections from comparable businesses in similar markets and account for the costs of operating an It's Boba Time location.
It's Boba Time has 36 total units, all franchised, and zero company owned units. This 100% franchised structure places expansion responsibility with franchisees and ties system growth to the opening and performance of their locations. The current unit count shows established market penetration within the competitive snack and nonalcoholic beverage sector. Specific year over year unit trends and net new unit figures are not provided, so the pace of recent expansion cannot be measured precisely. Future development may depend on menu innovation, digital tools that improve customer experience, and careful selection of high density markets that fit the brand's target customers. Its potential competitive advantages may include an established identity, consistent product quality, and the customizable and experiential nature of bubble tea. A recognizable brand and customer base across 36 locations can make entry more difficult for new competitors. Ingredient sourcing, efficient procedures, and memorable service remain important to maintaining that position. Online ordering, integrated loyalty programs, and social media can help attract and retain customers, extend the brand's reach, and improve operating efficiency. These tools can also produce information for market analysis and targeted marketing.
An appropriate It's Boba Time franchisee would generally bring entrepreneurial drive, customer service skills, and an understanding of local market conditions. Experience in retail, food service, or business management can help a candidate lead employees, manage daily operations, and participate in the community. The model may suit an owner willing to remain hands on and protect product and service standards. Following established procedures and brand requirements is necessary to keep the customer experience consistent across all 36 units. Candidates with strong operating ability and adequate financial capacity may also consider multiple locations. Franchisors often favor applicants interested in building a group of stores because experienced operators can support market development and brand presence. Available territories are not detailed, but expansion would generally focus on areas with high foot traffic, suitable demographics, younger customers, diverse communities, and limited specialty beverage competition. Retail centers, urban hubs, and college towns may provide useful site types. The time from signing a franchise agreement to opening a beverage location commonly ranges from 6 to 12 months. This period can include site selection, lease negotiation, design, build out, equipment purchasing, training, and initial marketing. The term of the It's Boba Time agreement is not provided. Comparable franchise agreements often run for 10 years and may include renewal options, creating a long term framework for operating and developing the business.
It's Boba Time operates within a large nonalcoholic beverage market valued at USD 1.13 trillion in 2023 and growing at a 5.8% compound annual growth rate. Its focus is the bubble tea segment, which was valued at USD 2.41 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.08 billion by 2030 at a 7.8% compound annual growth rate. The brand has 36 fully franchised units, reflecting a model built around franchisee led expansion. Its Loan Activity Score of 61 is categorized as Moderate and indicates a stable opportunity with established operations. Demand for convenient, customizable, and experiential beverages supports the category, while the franchise model offers a way for an operator to enter it with an established concept and support structure. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders. PeerSense is not a lender, and buyers remain responsible for evaluating the franchise, its costs, and the financing options available to them.
Loan Activity Score
61/100
SBA Default Rate
0.0%
Active Lenders
11
According to its Franchise Disclosure Document or public business records, It's Boba Time has 36 locations, all owned by franchisees. Public SBA loan records show 11 lenders made 48 loans to franchisees of It's Boba Time. PeerSense calculates It's Boba Time's score as 61 out of 100, using public SBA loan performance and recent lending activity.
Franchising since 2003 · 36 locations
$466,000 to $597,000
$45,000
36
36 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
ModerateDistinct lenders in public SBA records for It's Boba Time
48
Total SBA loans
$456K
Average loan size
Source: public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records through December 31, 2025
Referral fee at closing
SBA Lending Activity for It's Boba Time
Loan Activity Score Breakdown
Established (25 to 99 loans)
Are lenders increasingly or decreasingly funding this brand? Growing trends score highest.
Blended default rate (recent + all time) compared to NAICS sector peers.
Quality lenders actively backing this brand, with penalty for lender pullback.
FDD availability, Item 19 disclosure, and overall data completeness.
Geographic spread of SBA funded locations across states.
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
0.0%
vs 10.3% peer avg
SBA Loans
48
Total Volume
$21.9M
Active Lenders
11
5 selective
States
1
vs. SBA Sector Average
SBA loan default rate vs. all franchises in the same NAICS sector, not limited to direct competitors
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for It's Boba Time based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
0.0%
10.3% below peer avg
SBA Loan Volume
48 loans
Across 11 lenders
Lender Diversity
11 lenders
Avg 4.4 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Significant investment
$466,000 to $597,000 total
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$4,824
Principal & Interest only
Indicative only, as of October 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense sources the file. The lender sets pricing. What these terms mean.
Locations
It's Boba Time, unit breakdown
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Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman