TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — La Kaffa, owner of Chatime, acquired Hanlin Tea Room for NT$272 million (US$8.23 million) on Monday.

La Kaffa President Wang Yao-huei (王耀輝) said the partnership will fill gaps for both parties, allowing Hanlin Tea Room to continue expanding, per CNA. He also said consolidation in the food and beverage industry has become more pronounced.

According to AmCham Taiwan, 1.02 billion hand-shaken drinks are sold every year in Taiwan. The Ministry of Economic Affairs reported drink sales reached NT$130 billion in 2024, per UDN.

Hanlin, which claims to have invented bubble tea in Tainan, was previously involved in a legal dispute with Taichung-based Chun Shui Tang over this claim. The 10-year litigation ended in 2019, with the court deciding that since bubble tea is a drink anyone could make, it was unnecessary to declare who created it, per CNN.

La Kaffa Executive Vice President Wang Li-yu (王麗玉) said the company operates in 63 countries and is poised for international expansion. The company is considering exporting Hanlin’s bubble tea and beef noodle model to showcase Taiwanese cuisine abroad, she added.

Wang said Chatime plans to open over 100 new stores, with Southeast Asia showing robust opportunities and Indonesia performing best among overseas markets. Revenue is expected to grow by more than 10% this year, with acquisitions contributing double-digit growth.