36氪首发｜「UMe Tea优米茶铺」完成1000万美元A轮融资，华人工程师在北美开奶茶店

Core Insights - UMe Tea has successfully completed a $10 million Series A funding round led by Conductive Ventures, with plans to enhance team structure and expand store presence in the Bay Area [1][3] Company Overview - Founded in 2019 in California by Li Jiachun, UMe Tea combines American consumer preferences with the advantages of Chinese tea brands, offering a range of products including milk cap tea, fruit tea, baked goods, and snacks, with approximately 30 SKUs [1][3] - The company has grown its store count from 9 to 27 in two years, with plans to reach 33 stores by the end of 2025, primarily focusing on direct-operated stores [3] Market Position - UMe Tea's customer base is predominantly non-Asian, with about 60% of customers being from diverse backgrounds, including Indian, Vietnamese, and Korean [3] - The company has experienced a 30% increase in same-store sales year-over-year, indicating resilience against competitive pressures [4] Product Strategy - UMe Tea emphasizes localization in its product offerings, catering to American tastes while maintaining a diverse menu that accommodates dietary preferences [5] - Popular items include classic bubble tea and seasonal products, with a significant portion of sales coming from salt and crispy chicken, which accounts for 30% of total sales [5][6] Marketing Approach - The company engages younger consumers through emotional marketing strategies, utilizing social media campaigns and interactive promotions that have significantly boosted store performance [9] Industry Context - The U.S. bubble tea market is fragmented, with no single brand holding more than 5% market share among approximately 6,635 tea shops, projected to grow to around 8,000 by 2025 [11] - UMe Tea aims to solidify its presence in California, particularly in the Bay Area, with plans to open more stores within a 3-mile radius of existing locations [11]