How to plan commercial bubble tea equipment for an efficient new shop
A practical guide for new owners who want a smooth, cost-effective store setup.
How to Open a Bubble Tea Shop: One-Stop Commercial Equipment Solution for New Owners
Opening a bubble tea shop looks simple on social media, but behind every successful store there is a carefully planned commercial equipment setup. New owners often struggle with questions like: Which machines are really necessary?, How much space do I need?, and Where should I start if I want a one-stop solution?
This guide is written for first-time bubble tea shop owners, as well as cafe, dessert shop and small restaurant
owners who want to add bubble tea to their menu using a one-stop commercial equipment solution.
You will learn how to plan your equipment list, how to choose each category of machine, and how to avoid common mistakes that cost time and money.
What Will You Learn in This Bubble Tea Equipment Guide?
| Section | Question Answered | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who Is This Guide For? | Is a bubble tea shop a good idea for my business? | Target audience & business types |
| 2. One-Stop Equipment Planning | How do I plan the full equipment list from day one? | Layout, workflow, core categories |
| 3. Counters & Workstations | What kind of stainless steel counters do I need? | Milk tea counters, sinks, under-counter fridges |
| 4. Core Bubble Tea Machines | Which machines are essential for drinks? | Tea brewer, ice maker, shakers, sealers |
| 5. Optional Add-on Equipment | What can I add to grow revenue later? | Dessert, snacks, extra refrigeration |
| 6. One-Stop Sourcing Tips | How do I work with one supplier efficiently? | Communication, checklists, next steps |
Who Is This One-Stop Bubble Tea Equipment Guide For?
This article is designed for a wide range of food and beverage entrepreneurs who want to open a new store or upgrade
their current business with commercial bubble tea equipment. Typical readers include:
- New bubble tea shop and milk tea shop owners
- Existing coffee shops that want to add bubble tea to their menu
- Dessert shops, bakeries and ice cream shops looking for trendy drinks
- Small restaurants and snack bars aiming to increase drink sales
- Food service investors planning multi-location bubble tea chains
If you are in any of these groups, a one-stop commercial equipment solution can help you simplify planning,
ensure that machines match your layout and reduce the risk of buying incompatible items from different suppliers.
How Should New Owners Plan a One-Stop Bubble Tea Equipment List?
Before you choose any machine, you should clearly define your menu, store size and
expected daily cup volume. Even without exact numbers, you can plan your equipment in three stages:
- Define your drink menu (classic milk tea, fruit tea, cheese tea, smoothies, etc.).
- Estimate your peak hour (how many drinks you want to serve per hour).
- Match equipment categories to each part of the workflow.
A typical one-stop bubble tea shop equipment solution includes:
- Stainless steel counters & workstations (with sink, storage and under-counter refrigeration)
- Tea brewing and mixing equipment (tea brewer, tea urns, mixers)
- Ice-making and cold drink equipment (ice maker, ice storage, blenders)
- Bubble tea specialty machines (shakers, cup sealers, can sealers, fructose dispensers)
- Refrigeration and storage (working tables, topping fridges, display fridges)
- Optional dessert and snack equipment (bingsu machines, ice cream machines, fryers)
What Is the Difference Between a Basic and Advanced Bubble Tea Equipment Setup?
| Setup Type | Typical Users | Key Equipment Focus | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Setup | First store, small kiosk, limited menu | Essential counters, tea brewer, ice maker, shaker, cup sealer, simple refrigeration | Lower initial investment, easy training |
| Advanced Setup | Larger stores, high-traffic areas, multi-location brands | Customized counters, higher-capacity machines, can sealers, bingsu or ice cream, extra refrigeration | Faster workflow, more drink types, future growth |
What Type of Stainless Steel Milk Tea Counter Do You Need?
Your bubble tea counter is the heart of your shop. A good stainless steel workstation keeps everything
within reach, improves hygiene and makes staff training easier. When planning your counter, ask yourself:
- Do you need a straight-line counter or an L-shaped workstation?
- Will your under-counter area be used for refrigeration or dry storage?
- Where will you place the sink, water filter and waste bin for easy cleaning?
| Key Features to Look for in a Bubble Tea Counter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feature | Why It Matters | Practical Tip |
| Food-grade stainless steel top | Resists corrosion, easy to clean and maintain a hygienic surface. | Choose a thickness and finish suitable for daily heavy use. |
| Integrated sink area | Supports frequent rinsing of utensils, shakers and pitchers. | Place it close to the tea brewing and mixing zone. |
| Under-counter refrigeration | Keeps milk, toppings and fruit within arm’s reach. | Plan enough doors or drawers to separate ingredients. |
| Topping rail or cold well | Allows quick access to toppings like pearls and jellies. | Keep it near the sealing area for fast drink assembly. |
Which Core Bubble Tea Machines Should Every New Shop Have?
Once your counter layout is clear, you can select the core bubble tea equipment. These machines support
your daily drink production and should be chosen carefully for reliability and capacity.
| Equipment Category | Main Purpose | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Tea Brewer / Tea Extractor | Brews tea base consistently for milk tea and fruit tea. | Look at batch volume, temperature control and ease of cleaning to match your daily tea demand. |
| Ice Maker | Provides ice for all cold drinks and smoothies. | Choose a capacity that fits your peak hours and decide between under-counter or standalone models. |
| Drink Shaker | Mixes tea, milk, syrup and ice quickly and evenly. | Manual or automatic models are available; consider how many cups you serve per hour. |
| Cup Sealing Machine | Seals plastic cups securely for takeaway and delivery. | Check cup size compatibility and whether you need semi-automatic or fully automatic operation. |
| Fructose Dispenser | Automatically portions sugar syrup for recipes. | Look at the number of preset programs and how easily staff can adjust sweetness levels. |
How Can You Reduce Training Time with the Right Bubble Tea Machines?
Simple, intuitive controls and clear labeling help new staff learn recipes faster.
When choosing equipment, focus on easy-to-understand control panels,
consistent output and straightforward cleaning procedures.
This reduces mistakes and keeps your drinks consistent as your team grows.
Which Optional Equipment Can Help You Grow Sales Later?
You do not need every piece of equipment on day one. Many successful owners start with a core setup and add
optional machines later, once they understand their customers better.
| Optional Equipment | New Menu Possibilities | When to Consider It |
|---|---|---|
| Bingsu / Snow Ice Machine | Korean-style snow ice desserts, shaved ice cups, seasonal specials. | When you want to add eye-catching desserts that pair well with bubble tea. |
| Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine | Ice cream cups, milkshakes and ice cream toppings for drinks. | When you have steady dessert demand or want to attract families and younger customers. |
| Can Sealing Machine | Trendy canned bubble tea and coffee for takeaway and delivery. | When your store focuses on to-go and online orders, or wants a unique packaging style. |
| Snack and Frying Equipment | Hot snacks like fries or simple finger foods to increase average order value. | When customers frequently stay longer in your shop or ask for food options. |
Why Is a One-Stop Commercial Equipment Solution so Helpful for New Owners?
Working with a single supplier for your bubble tea shop equipment full set offers several practical benefits:
- You save time by discussing your full layout and workflow with one team.
- Counters, machines and refrigeration are planned to fit together from the start.
- Shipping and packaging can be arranged as a single project.
- You have a clear contact point for after-sales questions.
What Information Should You Prepare Before Contacting an Equipment Supplier?
To get an accurate and efficient proposal, it helps to prepare a simple checklist:
- Store floor plan or rough dimensions
- Expected number of drinks per day and peak hour
- Your planned drink menu (milk tea, fruit tea, cheese tea, smoothies, desserts, etc.)
- Local power supply information and any special requirements
- Your target opening date and budget range for equipment
Ready to Plan Your One-Stop Bubble Tea Shop Equipment?
Whether you are opening your first bubble tea shop or upgrading an existing cafe or dessert store,
a well-planned commercial equipment solution will make your launch smoother and your daily operations easier. You do not have to guess or choose equipment alone.
Share your store idea, floor plan and drink menu, and get a tailored equipment proposal that matches your workflow and growth plan.
Start your bubble tea journey with a clear plan and the right commercial equipment from day one.
