The Story Behind LiHO TEA: More Than Just Bubble Tea
Buisness

The Story Behind LiHO TEA: More Than Just Bubble Tea

What is LiHO TEA?

LiHO TEA is a leading bubble tea (boba tea) brand based in Singapore, known for its innovative drinks like cheese tea, avocado smoothies, and fresh fruit teas.
The name “LiHO” comes from the Hokkien dialect, meaning “How are you?”, which reflects its strong local cultural identity.


Founded:

2017 — by RTG Holdings, after the company ended its franchise partnership with Gong Cha.


Headquarters:

Singapore


Business Type:

  • Bubble Tea Chain

  • Franchise Model

  • Active in Singapore and expanding into parts of Southeast Asia


How LiHO TEA Was Built

1. Smart Launch Strategy

  • In 2017, LiHO was launched by rebranding all Gong Cha outlets in Singapore.

  • This gave it an immediate presence with over 80 outlets.

  • It turned a franchise loss into an opportunity for local branding.


2. Strong Local Identity

  • The name “LiHO” means “How are you?” in Hokkien (a Chinese dialect spoken in Singapore).

  • This helped it resonate with the Singaporean public and stand out from foreign bubble tea brands.


3. Innovative Product Line

LiHO is known for offering unique drinks, including:

  • 🧀 CheezHO Series – tea topped with cheese foam

  • 🥑 Avocado Smoothies – one of the first in the bubble tea market

  • 🍓 Fresh Fruit Teas – with real fruit blends

  • 🌱 Plant-based Options – soy, oat, and other dairy alternatives

  • 🧋 Classic Milk Teas and Toppings (pearls, jelly, etc.)


4. Consistent Brand Image

  • Bright red logo, fun and modern store design

  • Clean, consistent visual branding

  • Friendly, fast service focused on young consumers


5. Digital and Social Media Marketing

  • Strong presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

  • Partnered with food delivery apps (GrabFood, Foodpanda, etc.)

  • Promotes drinks through seasonal launches, influencer marketing, and social media trends


6. Franchise and Regional Expansion

  • Uses a franchise model for growth

  • Presence mainly in Singapore, but also expanding into other Asian markets

  • While not as global as Gong Cha or Koi Thé, it remains regionally dominant


7. Customer Engagement

  • Offers loyalty rewards

  • Listens to customer feedback and updates menus regularly

  • Emphasizes local flavors and preferences


What Makes LiHO Stand Out?

  • A Singaporean brand with a strong cultural connection

  • First-mover in cheese tea in Singapore

  • Bold and youth-focused marketing

  • High product customization and frequent innovation


 Is LiHO a Big Brand?

  • Yes — especially in Singapore, it is one of the top bubble tea brands

  • Compared to international names like Gong Cha, Chatime, and The Alley, LiHO is more localized but continues to grow

  • It’s a top regional player in Southeast Asia


 Conclusion

LiHO TEA has grown into a successful, trend-setting bubble tea brand by combining:

  • Strategic market positioning

  • Strong local identity

  • Innovative products

  • Youth-focused branding
    It continues to expand and adapt in the competitive bubble tea industry.

🧋 LiHO TEA Menu – Categories & Popular Drinks


🧀 1. CheezHO Series (Cheese Tea)

Signature drinks with a creamy cheese foam topping.

Popular Options:

  • CheezHO Green Tea

  • CheezHO Black Tea

  • CheezHO Avocado

  • CheezHO Strawberry

  • CheezHO Peach Tea


🥑 2. Avocado Series

Creamy, rich drinks made with real avocado.

Popular Options:

  • Avocado Milk

  • Brown Sugar Pearl Avocado

  • CheezHO Avocado

  • Avocado Smoothie with Honey Pearl


🍓 3. Fresh Fruit Tea Series

Refreshing teas with real fruit pieces and natural juice.

Popular Options:

  • Passion Aloe Vera Tea

  • Lychee Rose Tea

  • Mango Delight

  • Strawberry Green Tea

  • Lemon Yuzu Green Tea


🥤 4. Classic Milk Tea Series

Traditional bubble tea flavors with pearls or other toppings.

Popular Options:

  • LiHO Signature Milk Tea

  • Brown Sugar Milk Tea

  • Roasted Oolong Milk Tea

  • Earl Grey Milk Tea

  • Winter Melon Milk Tea


🌱 5. Plant-Based Milk Series (Oat/Soy)

Dairy-free alternatives for health-conscious or vegan customers.

Popular Options:

  • Oat Milk Tea

  • Soy Milk Brown Sugar Pearl

  • Avocado Oat Milk Smoothie


🧊 6. Brewed Tea Series

Simple, refreshing teas without milk or heavy toppings.

Popular Options:

  • Jasmine Green Tea

  • Roasted Oolong Tea

  • Black Tea with Lemon

  • Honey Green Tea


🧁 7. Specialty & Seasonal Drinks

Limited-time flavors and creative recipes, such as:

  • Mango Sago with Pomelo

  • Grape Yakult Tea

  • Sakura Peach Drink

  • Holiday-themed specials (e.g., Matcha Xmas Tea)


🍬 8. Toppings

Add-ons to customize your drink.

Common Toppings:

  • Golden Pearl

  • White Pearl

  • Aloe Vera

  • Pudding

  • Coconut Jelly

  • Cheese Foam

  • Sago

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