Young Entrepreneur Embarks on a New Venture with the Popular Boba Tea Brand
ThirsTea franchisee Aaliyah Torres has accomplished more in her 22 years of life than most people could dream of. The young entrepreneur has managed businesses, found meaningful work with special needs children and volunteered full-time while attending college.
Now as the first franchisee with the four-year-old boba tea concept, she is taking a leap of faith into franchise ownership. “Despite my age of 22 and lack of prior food industry experience, the franchisor’s guidance and unique business model gave me the confidence to dive into franchise ownership,” she says. While Torres is confident in her abilities, she sometimes gets surprised looks from customers and vendors when she tells them she is the owner. “I have been underestimated because of my age and gender. However, I’ve learned to respond with grace and assertiveness, letting guests know that I’m the owner and I’m ready to work,” Torres says.
Torres always knew she wanted to do something big, but she didn’t seek out franchise ownership initially — it found her. She learned about ThirsTea through her brother, Isaiah, who had done remodeling and repair work in a few ThirsTea locations. “This sparked our boba tea addiction and interest in the brand. This connection, coupled with the warm relationship we developed with the owners over the years, solidified our decision to franchise with ThirsTea,” says Torres. They opened for business in Escondido, Calif., in January 2024.
On the Menu
With a slogan of “happiness, one sip at a time,” ThirsTea serves a diverse menu of specialty drinks that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Customers can indulge in refreshing smoothies, lemonades and slushies or opt for the creamy desserts, milkshakes or classic boba milk tea (or bubble tea) drinks, which feature chewy tapioca balls. Torres appreciates ThirsTea’s focus on organic, brain-healthy ingredients.
Future Growth
Optimistic about the future, Torres plans to open more stores with her brother when the time is right. But for now, she is excited to grow the business and make a difference in her community with meaningful initiatives. “We’re trying to work with the local school district and programs to provide a space where high school special needs students can gain work experience.”
Bubble Tea Boom
Originating in Taiwan during the 1980s, boba tea or bubble tea — originally known as “pearl milk tea”— is a fusion of traditional Taiwanese tea and chewy tapioca pearls. In the U.S., this delightful concoction has spurred an explosion of dedicated tea shops and franchises, creating a whole new and exciting beverage category.
Boba tea has become a staple in major cities and affluent suburban areas, creating a flourishing market. Fortune Business Insights projects the global bubble tea industry to reach $4.78 billion by 2032.
For more information about the ThirsTea franchise, visit https://thirstea.com/franchise/.
