John Tran wants to offer every customer an experience as bubbly and memorable as the handcrafted drinks coming out of his new bubble tea shop.
Originally from Nevada, this isn’t Tran’s first experience with owning a Teazentea franchise. He tried boba place after boba place back home in search of a business he would be proud of investing in. Tran could tell which shops used powder to make their drinks based on how they tasted artificial and the chemical smell that wafted through the door. Teazentea stood out because of the authentic process and taste that he could be trained to replicate.
The businessman didn’t give up when his shop closed in South Lake Tahoe, California. With additional support from his girlfriend, Tran moved to Portage and got right back into opening another Teazentea. He has had fun interacting with customers since his first location was established. Tran can be found on most days greeting customers and explaining the wide variety of drinks on offer.
“Everyday I come in, I make sure everybody gets the same experience each time they come to the store, and I encourage people to try new stuff,” Tran said. “Happiness is guaranteed in my store. I tell people to please experience the menu and the different options we have.”
The original Teazentea menu is twice as large as the one Tran has chosen to display in its 17th location. He doesn’t want to overwhelm new boba consumers with too many options they may not know how to decipher. Tran emphasizes the importance of understanding customers’ preferences and offering personalized recommendations.
“A lot of times people go to a store, if they don't know anything and nobody is helping them, they just order whatever,” Tran said. “When they come to my store and they want to order a lemonade, I'll try to persuade them to get something more exotic. It’s not something I want people to get because they don’t know what else to get. I’d rather them experience something special. That’s why they want to come back – they want something special instead of something they can make at home.”
Apart from tapioca pearls seasoned in-house with honey and sugar, the location also offers fruit-based popping pearls, jellies, and crème brûlée to add to tea drinks. The teas are brewed and the coffee is dripped on the premises everyday. The open-concept kitchen allows customers to watch their drinks being made while they wait.
Tran never wanted to buy a shop and leave it there — he prioritizes customer satisfaction and interactions so people know that his shop is a growing part of the community. He encourages his employees to share in his enthusiasm and treat the store as their own.
While Teazentea primarily operates out of California, there was no convincing needed for Tran to take the franchise over 1,500 miles away. After being open for a few months, the shop is still a work in progress focused on nourishing its welcoming atmosphere and listening to customers. Tran listened when people inquired about stamp cards and when the aesthetically pleasing tables couldn’t accommodate laptops. He is already hoping to open a future Teazentea location in the area after requests to do so. Numerous customers drive from towns like Valparaiso and Merrillville just to get a taste of his boba.
“I’m not trying to bring a different culture to Portage,” Tran said. “I'm just bringing something refreshing to the area.”