Gong cha Palmerston North franchise owners Jimmy Phan and Hiep Le. Photo / Judith Lacy
Gong cha Palmerston North franchise owners Jimmy Phan and Hiep Le. Photo / Judith Lacy
Whenever Hiep Le visited Wellington, her family would ask to go to bubble tea shop Gong cha.
When her hours as an international student co-ordinator at Freyberg High School were reduced, she decided to open Gong cha in Palmerston North.
She bought the Palmy franchise with Wellington-based Jimmy Phan, anexperienced Gong cha operator.
Gong cha was founded in Taiwan in 2006 and now has shops in more than 20 countries. The business' name comes from the act of offering tea to the Chinese emperor.
Veronica Frampton (left) and Gina Chompinitkul enjoying themselves at the VIP event. Photo / Judith Lacy