BreadTalk ventures into tea business through Chinese partner

It will offer Pindao's tea products Nayuki and Tai Gai.

Food corporation BreadTalk has entered a new era through its joint venture with Chinese company Shenzhen Pindao Food & Beverage Management (Pindao). Pindao brands Nayuki and Tai Gai will soon launch for Singapore consumers.

Tai Gai milk tea is set to see its first store outside China in the latter part of this year. Cafe concept Nayuki that specializes in offering premium tea and artisanal bread is also expected to open before 2019.

RHB analyst Juliana Cai thinks that customisable bubble tea from major players like Koi and Gong Cha have a strong demand from the younger Singaporeans. Last year, local brand Liho entered the tea scene with its signature cheese tea whilst Teafolia also introduced its line of fruit teas.

She noted that a lot of consumers have a tendency to prefer novelty. With this, Cai is positive regarding the prospects of Nayuki and Tai Gai.

“As such, we believe Tai Gai stands a chance in penetrating the Singapore market, if it continues to bring innovative flavours to rejuvenate Singapore’s tea scene,” Cai commented. 

The RHB analyst also mentioned about the gap in tea café concepts since most cafes are mostly famous for coffee or lunch. “In terms of top of mind major premium tea café players in Singapore, we can only think of TWG. The lack of players in this space could enable Nayuki to step up and fill the gap,” Cai said. 

Other than the new venture with Pindao, BreadTalk has plans to open two Song Fa restaurants in Thailand and China, one Wu Pao Chun bakery in Shanghai, and one Din Tai Fung restaurant in the UK.