Global bubble tea brand Gong Cha will open its first US airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The store, set to launch by the end of this year, will mark Gong Cha’s entry into the airport sector as part of its non-traditional growth strategy and continued US expansion.

The operation will see Gong Cha partner with Kind Hospitality, an experienced airport and hospitality operator led by president and CEO Nava Singam. The move reinforces the brand’s focus on working with experienced operators capable of delivering in high-volume, fast-paced environments.

“Airports are a natural evolution for Gong cha as we continue expanding into high-traffic, non-traditional environments,” said Michael Nedelkovich, VP of US non-traditional franchise development.

The bubble tea giant is reportedly seeking operators and partners to support additional airport and unconventional development opportunities nationwide.

Built around the Gong Cha 2.0 operating platform introduced earlier this year, the airport format is designed to streamline repetitive operational tasks. Nedelkovich said the model is well-suited for travel hubs and compact airport settings where consumers expect premium quality and convenience without long wait times.

“Gong cha has evolved significantly over the past few years, not just as a brand, but as an operating platform,” he added. “We’ve invested heavily in building a model that can support speed, efficiency and flexibility in a much broader range of environments.

“This opening represents an exciting opportunity to introduce more travelers to the Gong Cha brand while continuing to build scalable growth across multiple formats.”

Earlier in July, Gong Cha announced plans to expand its presence in Texas after signing its largest direct franchise deal to date to develop 50 new stores across the state.