Quick Answer
For a sample 33 m² (10 ping) takeaway shop, the total budget is about NT$1.67 million: about NT$600k for fit-out, NT$450k for equipment and tools, NT$200k working capital and NT$180k for the rent deposit and first month, plus signage, first ingredients and licences. With fixed costs of about NT$295,000 a month and an average margin of about NT$42 per cup, the shop needs about 235 cups a day to break even; at 300 cups, payback takes about 18 months. Actual costs depend on the site, equipment grade and local labour costs.
How the opening budget is split (33 m² takeaway shop)
| Item | Sample amount (NT$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fit-out | 600k | Partitions, floors and walls, bar joinery, plumbing, wiring and exhaust |
| Equipment and tools | 450k | 13 pieces of equipment such as sealer, tea brewer, ice machine and fridges, plus tools |
| Working capital (3 months) | 200k | A buffer for the first months while sales ramp up |
| Rent deposit + first month | 180k | Based on NT$60,000 rent and a 2-month deposit |
| Signage and lightbox | 80k | Apply under local signage rules |
| First ingredients + packaging | 80k | Tea, pearls, syrups, creamer and cups |
| Opening marketing | 50k | Soft opening, social media and delivery app listing |
| Licences, insurance, sundries | 30k | Registration, product liability insurance, health checks |
Fit-out and equipment make up about 60% of the budget and are the easiest to overspend on: if the unit has no drain or 220V supply, new lines must be run. Check water, power and exhaust before signing the lease to avoid costly extra work.
How many cups a day to break even?
Break-even cups = monthly fixed costs ÷ margin per cup ÷ opening days. The sample shop has fixed costs of about NT$295,000 a month (rent 60k, staff 165k, utilities 25k, POS and sundries 15k, equipment and fit-out depreciation 30k), an average ticket of NT$60 and about NT$18 of ingredients and packaging per cup, so the margin is about NT$42:
- 295,000 ÷ 42 ÷ 30 ≈ 235 cups a day to break even
- At 300 cups a day: (300 − 235) × 42 × 30 ≈ NT$83,000 net profit a month
- Total investment of about NT$1.67 million ÷ monthly profit, plus the ramp-up after opening, gives payback in about 18 months
To try your own rent and prices, use the break-even calculator on our shop opening page; for cost per cup see how to calculate bubble tea shop margins.
Is a bubble tea shop profitable? Three key numbers
- Rent as a share of revenue: aim for under 15%, and compare candidate sites on the same scorecard.
- Margin per cup: signature drinks often run around 70%; standard recipe cards and dispensers protect it.
- Peak output: equipment and bar workflow decide how many cups you can make in an hour; a poor workflow means lost sales.
Where to save, and where not to
- Save on: tools, shelving and furniture in standard sizes; size equipment to peak cups per hour, no more.
- Don’t save on: worktop and fridge dimensions, electrical circuits, exhaust and drainage. Mistakes mean rebuilding.
- Draw before you build: confirm the floor plan, elevations, 3D view and utility drawings first so fit-out quotes don’t keep growing.
How Tang Sugar helps
Tang Sugar provides shop hardware planning (floor plan, 3D view, bar and equipment layout, utility drawings), itemised budgets and quote comparison, plus bubble tea equipment, ingredients and packaging shipped in the same container. See the full case in Bubble tea shop consulting: opening a TS Tea shop from scratch.
Products in this article
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FAQ
What is the minimum cost to open a bubble tea shop?
The sample 33 m² takeaway shop has a total budget of about NT$1.67 million. If the unit already has a bar and utilities, fit-out costs drop a lot, but you should still budget for equipment and working capital.
How much can a bubble tea shop make a month?
With the sample assumptions, selling 300 cups a day at about NT$42 margin each gives about NT$83,000 net profit a month after fixed costs; below 235 cups a day the shop loses money.
How long does it take to pay back?
The sample shop pays back in about 18 months at 300 cups a day; it depends on rent, staffing and daily volume.
Is a franchise or your own brand cheaper?
A franchise has fees and royalties but a ready brand and recipes; your own brand saves the fees but needs its own menu and hardware planning.
Related Reading
How to Calculate Bubble Tea Shop Profit Margin: Cost-per-Cup Formula, Worked Example and 6 Ways to Improve Margin
How to Open a Bubble Tea Shop: Startup Steps, Equipment, Ingredients and Licensing Checklist
Bubble Tea Franchise vs Starting Your Own Brand: Pros, Cons and Taiwan’s Franchise Disclosure Rules
Bubble Tea Shop Equipment List: 13 Essential Machines, Specs, Quantities and Power Needs
