奶茶店，够了

Core Insights - The tea beverage industry is experiencing a significant slowdown after a period of rapid expansion, with market saturation and declining profitability for franchisees becoming evident [1][2][5]. Industry Overview - The tea beverage market has seen an unprecedented acceleration over the past five years, with major brands rapidly expanding in both first and second-tier cities, as well as in lower-tier markets [1]. - As of September, the total number of tea beverage outlets in China has surpassed 131,000, with projections indicating that the total number of related enterprises will exceed 1.1 million by 2025 [5]. Franchisee Challenges - Franchisees like Zhang Lixia, an early investor in Bawang Tea, are facing declining profits due to increased competition and a significant drop in net profit margins, which have fallen by over 50% [2]. - The growth rate of new store openings for Bawang Tea has drastically decreased from 20%-49% to single digits, indicating a slowdown in expansion [2]. Market Dynamics - The competitive landscape has shifted, with many brands experiencing a decline in new product innovation and consumer interest, leading to a saturation of similar offerings in the market [11][18]. - The introduction of new products has become less frequent, with Bawang Tea launching only eight new items this year, failing to replicate the success of previous hits [11][12]. Financial Performance - Financial reports indicate a decline in revenue and profit margins across major brands, with Bawang Tea's third-quarter net income down 9.4% year-over-year and adjusted net profit down 22.3% [26]. - The overall profitability of the industry is under pressure due to intensified competition and the impact of delivery service subsidies, which have altered consumer price perceptions [27][21]. Strategic Responses - In response to these challenges, brands are focusing on optimizing supply chains and enhancing product differentiation to stabilize franchisee operations [32][33]. - Bawang Tea is implementing a new cooperative model that reduces fees for franchisees and aims to improve their profit margins by 1.1% [35]. International Expansion - While the domestic market faces challenges, Bawang Tea and other brands are successfully expanding overseas, with Bawang Tea's international growth rate increasing from 8.3% in Q1 to 26% in Q3 [36]. - The international market presents a new growth opportunity for tea beverage brands, as they leverage their established business models to compete against local brands [39].