In less than a year since its debut, Boba Bhai has become India’s biggest bubble tea and Korean fusion food brand, redefining the quick-service restaurant (QSR) segment. Combining the whimsical magic of bubble tea with the spices of Korean-style burgers and the Asian delights of desserts, the Bengaluru-born brand has won over the imagination and palates of a new generation of Indians.
From its debut in October 2023 to crossing 70+ outlets across nine cities, Boba Bhai’s growth trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. The brand now serves more than 80,000 orders each month, with an average order value exceeding ₹400 online and ₹330 in-store. Priced between ₹119 and ₹249, its menu strikes the perfect balance between affordability and indulgence.
A Fusion Menu Crafted for the Indian Palate
Boba Bhai’s success is fueled by its ability to localize global food trends without losing authenticity. Bubble tea makes up 55% of its revenue, offered in an impressive lineup of 45 flavors from crowd favorites like Taro Lava to the playful Banana Milk. The remaining 45% comes from food, including K-Pop-inspired burgers and the brand’s newest addition: Korean-style ice creams. In early 2025, Boba Bhai also made an entry in the ready-to-drink segment with canned bubble teas targeting India’s rapidly growing on-the-go drink market.
Scaling With Systems and Technology
Subtly in the background, Boba Bhai operates a thoroughly engineered system built for scale consistency. Centralized cloud kitchens and commissaries make core preparations, from signature sauces to marinades, which are then shipped to outlets. Last cooking and assembly are performed through semi-automated equipment, IoT-connected fryers, automated drink dispensers, preset grills, portion control instruments, and recipe workflows using digital. This technology-based method reduces variance, controls quality, and enables the brand to duplicate its experience across geographies.
Supported for the Next Growth Phase
Boba Bhai has just completed a ₹30 crore Series A round led by 8i Ventures with existing investors Titan Capital, Global Growth Capital, and DEVC participating. The latest funding puts the total amount at ₹90L in Feb 2025. The funds will be used to grow and they are now expanding in tier 2 and tier 3 cities through Quick Commerce.
Founder of the brand, Dhruv Kohli, has experience in creating high-growth businesses. A Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 recipient, Kohli has an established history, having co-founded Geezy, an AI-powered growth platform, which grew to ₹150 crore in revenue in 14 countries within two years. With Boba Bhai, his mission is evident: to corner 75–80% of India’s bubble tea market share and build a culturally relevant, globally scalable QSR brand.
A Strategy of 150 Stores Shop and Beyond
Operational currently in nine cities namely Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mangalore, Udaipur, and Chennai. Boba Bhai aims to expand its presence by twofold to more than 150 stores by the end of the current year. The company already has a repeat customer rate of 48%, a result of the brand’s strong following.
“We’ve seen extraordinary growth in just 18 months,” says Kohli. “With innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction at our core, we’re building the go-to QSR brand for India’s next generation.”
With its mix of tech-driven efficiency, globally inspired flavors, and sharp brand identity, Boba Bhai is not just selling bubble tea; it’s creating a movement in India’s fast-evolving food landscape.
