Macao Imperial Tea
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.jpg) A Macao Imperial Tea branch at Ayala Center Cebu in 2024 | |
Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Headquarters | Macau (Global) Manila, Philippines (PH operations) |
Key people | Avin Ong (CEO, Fredley Group of Companies) |
| Products | Bubble tea, fruit tea, coffee, soda |
| Owner | Fredley Group of Companies (Philippines master franchisee) |
Macao Imperial Tea is a global milk tea chain originally founded in Macau. The brand serves Taiwanese tea, Japanese matcha, and milk tea drinks that often include cream cheese. In the Philippines, the brand is managed by the Fredley Group of Companies, led by Avin Ong. By 2025, the chain had over 500 branches worldwide.
The brand originated in Macau.[1] Filipino entrepreneur Avin Ong discovered the tea shop while traveling in Macau in 2014.[2] Ong secured the master franchise rights for the Philippines and opened the first branch in Banawe, Quezon City, in mid-2017.[3][4]
When bringing the brand to the Philippines, the local management changed the business model from a "grab-and-go" stall concept, which was common in other countries, to a café-style model with seating and electrical outlets.[2] The company sources its tea leaves from Macau.[4]
The chain expanded through franchising.[2] By 2020, the company operated over 350 branches globally, including locations in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Canada, and the United States.[5][1] In August 2022, the company opened its 235th Philippine store in Boracay.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, select branches reopened in April 2020 with safety protocols such as temperature checks and contactless delivery.[7]