Local milk tea store targets 18 more outlets by yearend

CEBU, Philippines — Homegrown Bubble Tea Station (BTS) is set to open 18 new branches before the end of 2019, making it a total of 46 milk tea stores within Metro Cebu.

The brand started by Melissa Ann “Meyan” Lim-Young started in 2012, when the milk tea craze was yet to create hype in Cebu. Now, despite the entry of global milk tea brands, BTS continues to gain market patronage.

In an interview yesterday, Young said the company, which is still registered under sole proprietorship, is now working at incorporating it to make way for a more professionalized set up and open up franchising opportunities.

Just like the coffee shops, milk tea houses or stores have started to make presence in high customer traffic areas such as schools, malls, among others.

Young’s BTS is one of the few Cebu-grown brands that stayed profitable and growing despite the entry of milk tea giants to Cebu market.

With a capital investment of P450 thousand, Young with the support of chef and businessman husband Johann, got their ROI (return of investments) in four months.

From its flagship store at Banilad Town Center (BTC) in 2012, today BTS is present in almost every retail destination in Metro Cebu.

Recently, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recognized Young as 2019 Young Entrepreneur during the Grand Chamber Awards held last June.

According to Young, aside from growing its business, BTS is also aiming for a trend in making milk-tea as part of every Filipinos’ lifestyle—“just like coffee”.