A month after Gong Cha’s abrupt exit from Singapore, a new bubble tea name has taken its place — and it comes from the same man who once helmed the chain here.
Cai Ca, founded by former Gong Cha Singapore CEO Kang Puay Seng, has replaced six former outlets and rolled out a line of healthier hand-shaken drinks made with Japanese soy milk and tea, reported Shin Min Daily News.
20 staff retained, 6 outlets reopened
In an exclusive interview with Shin Min, Mr Kang, who also co-founded the Mr Bean soy milk chain, said he found himself at a crossroads when Gong Cha’s Singapore franchise ended at the end of Sept.
He faced two options: return to his comfort zone, or create a tea brand that truly belongs to Singapore — and do so as quickly as possible.
Despite the upheaval, all of Gong Cha’s more than 20 full-time staff were retained and are now working at Cai Ca.
“From the first day we ended operations, every member of the team had unimaginable pressure. Day and night, they worked tirelessly, running together toward building our in-house brand. Cai Ca is not just a cup of tea — it’s a story of perseverance, courage, and faith,” said Mr Kang.
With rental pressures and expiring leases looming, Mr Kang said he opted for a leaner approach.
