YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar Brings Global Bubble Tea Culture to India

YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar Brings Global Bubble Tea Culture to India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 19, 2024

YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar, the globally acclaimed tea brand from the Netherlands, has officially entered the Indian market with the launch of its first outlet in Bangalore. Nestled near Trinity Circle, opposite 1 MG Mall, the outlet marks the beginning of the brand’s ambitious journey to redefine tea culture in India.

With over a decade of experience in transforming the European tea scene, YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar brings its signature pink branding and customizable beverages to Indian tea enthusiasts. Founded by Wing Li and introduced to India by Jose Mohan, the brand aims to blend global innovation with India's rich tea heritage.

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The Netherlands-based YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar was established to offer a creative twist on traditional tea, standing out in a region often dominated by coffee culture. Their menu boasts a wide range of bubble teas, including the unique warm bubble tea, a comforting innovation that’s perfect for colder days. After captivating audiences in Europe, the brand is now ready to win the hearts of Indian consumers.

Bangalore, renowned for its openness to culinary experiments, was a natural choice for YOYO!’s Indian debut. The brand has plans for rapid expansion, targeting metro cities and tier-2 towns through a strong franchise model.

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Globally, the bubble tea industry is on a steep growth trajectory, currently valued between $2.75 and $3 billion and expected to nearly double by 2030. South Asia and the Pacific region remain a powerhouse for the market, driven largely by the younger generation’s preference for customizable and innovative flavors.

As the largest bubble tea outlet in Bangalore, YOYO!’s store spans a generous 1,800 sq. ft., offering a vibrant space for customers to enjoy their drinks. Their menu is crafted to suit a variety of palates, featuring refreshing fruit teas, artisanal iced teas, and customizable bubble teas topped with delights like popping bobas, tapioca pearls, and jellies.

Speaking about the launch, Wing Li, Founder of YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar, said, “India’s tea heritage aligns beautifully with our vision to elevate the beverage into a global experience. We’re excited to create a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity for tea lovers here.”

Adding to this, Jose Mohan, Master Franchise Owner for India, remarked, “Our India Specials showcase a commitment to local flavors and sourcing. It’s more than a drink; it’s a celebration of the Indian tea story with a global twist.”

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YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar is dedicated to sustainability, prioritizing the use of locally sourced ingredients and working closely with regional farmers. This commitment extends to their franchise model, where they aim to foster partnerships with local entrepreneurs.

With its arrival in India, YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar promises to offer a fresh and exciting perspective on tea. Available on Swiggy and Zomato, the brand is making its innovative beverages easily accessible, ensuring tea lovers can enjoy their creations anytime.

About YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar

Founded in 2012 by Wing Li, YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar is a trailblazer in the global bubble tea market. With vibrant branding and a passion for innovation, the brand has become a favorite for tea lovers in Europe. Expanding to India with its first store in Bangalore, YOYO! is bringing its unique tea culture to a new audience.

Address: YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar, No. 4/154, Trinity Church Compound, Old Madras Rd, behind Trinity Church Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008

For more information, visit YOYO! Fresh Tea Bar.


The Hazelnut Factory Opens THF Lakehouse in Nainital

The Hazelnut Factory Opens THF Lakehouse in Nainital

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 21, 2026

The Hazelnut Factory (THF) has marked its entry into Uttarakhand with the opening of THF Lakehouse on the iconic Mall Road in Nainital. Inaugurated on 10th August 2026, the new destination is the brand’s 23rd edition, bringing together its signature artisanal mithai, handcrafted desserts, specialty coffee, fresh bakery and all-day dining.

Set against the scenic beauty of Nainital Lake, THF Lakehouse has been designed to blend with the character of the hill destination. The space combines contemporary touches with the old-world charm of Nainital, creating a warm setting for travellers, families and locals to spend time over food and coffee.

The launch was celebrated in the presence of Smt. Sarita Arya, MLA of the Nainital Assembly Constituency.

For Ankit Sahni, Founder & CEO of The Hazelnut Factory, the opening also carries a personal connection, as he spent his school years in Nainital.

“Nainital has always held a very special place in my heart. I spent my school years here, and to return to the city with something we have built from the ground up is an incredibly meaningful feeling. With THF Lakehouse, we wanted to create a space that feels connected to Nainital - warm, welcoming and rooted in its character, while bringing the quality, craftsmanship and hospitality that define The Hazelnut Factory. It is wonderful to see locals and travellers come together over good food, coffee and the simple joy of being in a beautiful place.”

The Nainital launch is also an important step in THF’s growth journey. Starting from Lucknow, the brand has grown into one of North India’s fastest-growing premium food and beverage brands, bringing together artisanal mithai, specialty coffee, bakery, patisserie and contemporary hospitality.

With THF Lakehouse, the brand continues its approach of presenting familiar Indian flavours in a contemporary way while creating spaces that connect with their surroundings.

In Nainital, this connection comes together through the setting itself, where mountains, coffee, conversations and memories meet against the backdrop of Nainital Lake.


Oro Specialty Coffee Cafe Opens Flagship Outlet in Gurugram

Oro Specialty Coffee Cafe Opens Flagship Outlet in Gurugram

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 21, 2026

Oro, a new specialty coffee café, has opened its flagship outlet in Gurugram, bringing together specialty coffee, an all-day dining menu and a warm neighbourhood café experience.

Founded by Tisha Aggarwal, Oro has been designed as a space that fits into different parts of the day, whether it is a quick morning coffee, a work meeting, a relaxed meal or an evening catch-up with friends.

The name Oro, which means gold in Spanish and Italian, reflects the café’s focus on quality across the guest experience. From its coffee and food to service and interiors, the café aims to create a comfortable space where guests can return through the day to work, meet, eat or simply take a break.

The food menu brings together globally inspired flavours with dishes such as the Italian Job, a burrata sandwich served in crisp schiacciata bread, along with Japanese konbini-inspired Chili Crisp Tamago Sando and Katsu Chicken Sando. The bakery selection includes everyday favourites such as Butter Croissants, Almond Croissants and Miso Chocolate Chunk Cookies. For those looking for something sweet, the dessert menu features Basque Cheesecake, Tiramisu and slow-baked Chocolate Cake.

Coffee remains at the heart of Oro, with a specialty coffee programme featuring beans from North East, Goa and Tamil Nadu. Guests can explore different pour-over options along with classic coffee preparations and signature drinks such as Tiramisu Latte, Chocolate & Berry Cold Brew and Coconut Iced Latte. The beverage menu also includes matcha drinks, teas and coolers.

The café is designed to welcome a mix of guests, including professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, families and coffee enthusiasts. The space can accommodate everything from quick coffee visits and informal business meetings to relaxed meals and small celebrations.

Speaking on the launch, Tisha Aggarwal, Founder, Oro, said, "I've always believed cafés have the power to bring people together. With Oro, we wanted to create a neighbourhood café where people feel comfortable walking in at any time of the day, for a morning coffee, a working lunch or an evening catch-up. Our focus has always been on serving good coffee, honest food and creating a place that people look forward to coming back to."

The Gurugram outlet will serve as Oro’s flagship location as the brand focuses on building a strong local community before expanding across Delhi NCR. The café also plans to introduce seasonal food and beverage menus, new coffee offerings, wellness-focused additions and collaborations with artists, creators and lifestyle brands.


Wendy’s India Expands Pune Presence with New Outlet at Elpro City Square Mall

Wendy’s India Expands Pune Presence with New Outlet at Elpro City Square Mall

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 20, 2026

Wendy’s India has strengthened its presence in Pune with the opening of a new outlet at the food court of Elpro City Square Mall in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The outlet has been launched by Rebel Foods, the world’s largest internet restaurant company and master franchise holder for Wendy’s in India.

Located at one of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s prominent retail and entertainment destinations, the new outlet brings Wendy’s signature burgers, fries and desserts to shoppers, families and young consumers visiting the mall.

Speaking about the expansion, Ankush Grover, Co-founder and Global CEO, Rebel Foods, said, “Pune has a strong consumer base that is open to exploring new food experiences, making it an important market for Wendy’s India. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on choosing locations that allow us to be accessible to our consumers while bringing the Wendy’s experience to more parts of the city. With the new outlet at Elpro City Square Mall, we look forward to serving consumers with quality, flavour and an experience that makes every visit memorable.”

The menu offers Wendy’s range of globally inspired flavours, giving Indian consumers an opportunity to explore burgers influenced by different cuisines. The selection includes Argentina’s Chimichurri, Louisiana’s Cajun, Korea’s fiery Buldak, American BBQ, India’s Tandoori and Mexico’s Nachoburg.

The recently introduced Teriyaki Burger range also adds Japanese-inspired sweet and savoury flavours to the menu, further expanding the brand’s international flavour selection in India.

Wendy’s India continues to focus on flavour-led innovation within the gourmet QSR segment, combining global inspirations with contemporary formats and flavours that appeal to Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The new Elpro City Square Mall outlet further expands Wendy’s reach across Pune and its surrounding areas, while giving more consumers access to the brand’s evolving menu and global flavour offerings.

Store Address:

Unit No TF FD-07, Third Floor, "Elpro City Square", Survey No 280, Hissa No 1 to 8, CTS No 4270, Chinchwad, Pune PCMC Ward No-7, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra - 411033.

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