8tea5 Featured on Trends Z: From Bubble Tea Trend to European Brand

8tea5 was recently featured on Trends Z, where we shared more about the story behind our brand, the development of the bubble tea market and how we continue to grow across Belgium and the Netherlands.

Bubble tea has grown from a typically Taiwanese drink into a global phenomenon — and over the past 15 years, we have had the opportunity to experience that evolution first-hand.

From niche product to mainstream

When we first started working with bubble tea, it was still relatively unknown in Europe.

Today, that picture is completely different.

Travel to Asia, K-pop, K-dramas, social media platforms such as TikTok and international hits such as Squid Game have helped introduce Asian food and drink culture to a much wider audience.

Bubble tea has become mainstream.

One of its biggest strengths is its versatility. Customers can choose from countless combinations of teas, flavours, toppings, sweetness levels and other ingredients, making every drink highly personal.

That ability to continuously create something new is also one of the reasons why product innovation remains at the heart of 8tea5.

More than milk tea and fruit tea

The bubble tea market has evolved significantly over the years.

What once mainly consisted of traditional milk teas and fruit teas has expanded into a much broader world of drinks, flavours and concepts.

At 8tea5, we continuously follow international food and beverage trends and translate them into products that appeal to the European market.

For us, innovation is not about adding new products for the sake of it. It is about keeping the brand relevant while maintaining the quality and consistency customers expect from us.

Building 8tea5 across Belgium and the Netherlands

Today, 8tea5 has more than 10 locations across Belgium and the Netherlands.

Some stores are operated directly by our own organisation, while others are operated together with our franchise partners.

As the network grows, maintaining a consistent customer experience becomes increasingly important.

Whether someone visits an 8tea5 store in Antwerp, Rotterdam, Brussels, Ghent or another city, we want the fundamentals to remain the same: a friendly welcome, efficient service, quality products and a team that is ready to help when customers have questions or concerns.

Because ultimately, trust is one of the most important foundations of a strong brand.

Looking ahead

For us, 8tea5 has never been only about selling bubble tea.

We are building a brand around product innovation, customer experience, technology, operations and entrepreneurship.

Our ambition is to continue strengthening 8tea5 in our existing markets while gradually expanding the brand further across Europe.

We are proud to have been able to share part of that journey with Trends Z.

Watch the full Trends Z feature below:

Interested in 8tea5, our stores or future franchise opportunities?
Discover more at www.8tea5.com.