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Thinking of Taking Over a Bubble Tea Shop in Hong Kong?
Read This First.
You're About to Step Into a Minefield of F&B Ownership Challenges in Hong Kong…
✔ FEHD Compliance Fines – Hidden hygiene violations can get your bubble tea shop shut down before opening day. Learn how to navigate Hong Kong’s Food & Environmental Hygiene Department regulations like a pro.
✔ License Agent Scams in Hong Kong’s F&B Sector – Don’t fall prey to fake agents. Many promise licensing support, take your money, and vanish. Get tips on how to safely transfer restaurant ownership and avoid legal traps.
✔ Renovation & Construction Nightmares – One faulty bathroom install cost me the entire business. Learn what every bubble tea shop owner must check before committing to a commercial lease or renovation in Hong Kong’s retail property market.
This isn’t theory. This is my HKD $300,000 mistake.
What's inside the guide?
Bubble Tea Franchise Risks - The Brutal Lessons No One Tells You
Mistake #1: Trusting the "Nice" Previous Owners- Checklist for Buying a Bubble Tea Shop
* How I got sued over an invalid food license
* Why their "you can ask us anything" promise was a lie (How to buy a bubble tea shop in Hong Kong)
Mistake #4: Ignoring Hidden Hardware Disasters - Renovation Mistakes That Cost Me My Business
* A leaking AC added to HKD 2,000 to my monthly bill
* The toilet plumbing disaster that cost me my business
Mistake #2: Blindly Following My License Agent - Avoiding Licensing Scams in Hong Kong
* The HKD 8,000 scam that left me operating illegally (Hong Kong F&B licensing guide)
* How agents collude with sellers to hide violations
Mistake #5: Missing Critical Legal Requirements
* Why 1 missing document = HKD 30,000+ in fines (Restaurant acquisition checklist Hong Kong)
* How student part-timers can sue you if you’re not careful
Mistake #3: Underestimating FEHD’s Bureaucracy - FEHD Compliance: What You Need to Know
* Why no one at FEHD will help you (Avoid FEHD fines in Hong Kong)
* The Kafkaesque paperwork trap that delays approvals for months
Real Talk: Should You Buy a Bubble Tea Shop or F&B Business in Hong Kong?
If you’re looking to take over a bubble tea shop, buy a café, or invest in a small food and beverage business in Hong Kong, you need to look past the trendy storefronts and Instagram hype.
✅ You Should Buy That F&B Business If:
✔ You're hands-on with equipment setup and know how to test commercial kitchen hardware like a pro.
✔ You’ve hired a licensed third-party F&B business inspector to evaluate the site.
✔ You assume every landlord or seller promise is unverified until backed by due diligence documents.
❌ You Shouldn’t Buy It If:
✖ You say "It can’t be that bad" after hearing about plumbing, ventilation, or drainage issues.
✖ You skip a legal and operational health check—including licensing, transfer terms, and tenant clauses.
✖ You assume FEHD (Food and Environmental Hygiene Department) will guide you through setup.
Spoiler: they won’t.
Buying a bubble tea shop in Hong Kong isn't just a business move—it’s a regulatory battle. Get informed before you invest.
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Why Listen to Me: I Bought a Bubble Tea Shop in Hong Kong Without Prior F&B Experience
In April 2024, I acquired 2324 Bubble Tea, a local brand started by two young Hong Kong entrepreneurs—despite having zero experience in the food and beverage industry, aside from my time as a university barista.
At the time, I was running a content marketing consultancy as a solopreneur and looking to scale my business without increasing my personal workload. Hiring skilled help was nearly impossible—either too expensive or already occupied running their own startups—so I explored F&B business acquisition in Hong Kong as a growth strategy.
What seemed like a smart move quickly turned into a real-world crash course in Hong Kong’s F&B industry, licensing laws, staffing hurdles, and the unexpected pitfalls of owning a bubble tea shop franchise.
I wish I had this guide before losing HKD 300,000
✔ Avoid hidden FEHD violations – spot compliance traps before they shut you down
✔ Detect license agent scams instantly – know the red flags before you pay
✔ Identify legit deals vs. money pits – learn what to look for on your first visit
