Gong cha England, the bubble tea chain, has announced a strategic partnership with Redcat, a hospitality IT platform provider. The collaboration aims to drive the tea chain's ambitious UK expansion plans. Gong cha, with an overseas presence in 2,100 locations, plans to reinforce its footprint in the UK by expanding the current 12 stores to 16 by the end of 2024, ultimately aiming to establish around 500 outlets in the long term.

As part of the collaboration, Gong cha England, also recognised as GC Tea Ltd, will have access to Redcat's comprehensive suite of digital services. These services, designed to improve customer experience and enhance operational efficiency, will be reported across all present and prospective stores. With Redcat's integrated platform, Gong cha will be utilising point of sale (POS), self-service kiosks, loyalty programs, mobile apps, online ordering, and integration with Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats. Future plans include incorporating Uber Direct and food ordering with Google.

Gong cha England is looking forward to reaping significant benefits from the Redcat platform, which includes real-time insights into their entire operations. The flexibility to manage menus across multiple channels and to run a loyalty program seamlessly integrated with in-store POS, online ordering, and kiosks will substantially assist the brand's significant expansion.

Bobby Sidhu, General Manager of Gong cha England, underscored the importance of a well-rounded IT platform for business efficiency and customer retention. He said, "Having the right IT platform, one that integrates all functions into a single system, is critical to managing a business efficiently and building the loyalty and customer retention that fuels growth. Redcat provides a seamless full-stack solution, designed for restaurants, and which fully matches our ambition."

Redcat CEO Jeff Lamb mirrored Sidhu's sentiments, emphasising their experience in feeding the QSR and franchising growth with apt technology. He stated, "Time and time again we see that rapid growth in the QSR and franchising world is only achievable with the right technology behind the business. We are delighted that Gong cha England has chosen to work with us to accelerate its growth. Over our 29 years in hospitality technology, we’ve built a platform that delivers what today’s QSRs and franchises need – we’ve now brought that expertise from Australia to the UK, and are excited that our success in the UK market will be linked with that of a great brand like Gong cha."

This move underlines Gong cha England's intent to tap into the growing market for bubble tea in the UK, armed with the advent of technology by Redcat. The focus remains on customer-centricity and efficiency, ensuring a smooth expansion and superior customer experience.