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Mixue Ice Cream & Tea

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 10 August 202514 sources
Mixue Ice Cream & Tea
Company typePrivate
IndustryFast food, Beverage
Founded1997; 29 years ago (1997) in Zhengzhou, Henan, China
FounderZhang Hongchao
Headquarters
Zhengzhou
,
China
Area served
Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Brazil
ProductsIce cream, Tea-based beverages
Number of employees
Over 500,000 (including franchisees)
Websitewww.mixueicecream.com

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea () is a global fast-food enterprise originating from China, focusing on ice cream and tea-based beverages. Established in 1997 by Zhang Hongchao in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Mixue has swiftly grown to operate over 46,000 franchised outlets throughout Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Brazil.

By store count, Mixue ranks as the largest fast-food chain worldwide, outnumbering competitors such as Starbucks and McDonald's. The brand is recognized for its competitive pricing approach. As of March 2024, Mixue secured the top position among fresh beverage producers within China and ranked second globally in terms of outlet quantity and cup sales, holding the leading market share across Southeast Asia.

Management of the company is a collaborative effort involving Mixue Ice Cream & Tea Co., Ltd., Henan Daga Food Co., Ltd., and Shangdao Intelligent Supply Chain Co., Ltd.

History

The inception of Mixue Ice Cream & Tea traces back to 1997 when Zhang Hongchao, then attending Henan University of Economics and Law, launched the brand.[1] What began as a modest street stall in Zhengzhou offering shaved ice and chilled beverages was initially funded with a 3,000-yuan loan from his grandmother.[2] Early efforts to expand were hindered by suboptimal locations and challenges related to urban development, resulting in three store closures and an unsuccessful tanghulu business in Hefei.[3]

In August 2003, Hongchao established a new Mixue outlet inside a deserted aluminium factory near a school, which quickly gained popularity among students and provided business stability.[3][4] This breakthrough facilitated the start of franchising by 2007.[4]

Timeline

After six relocations, Mixue's first thriving store opened in 2003.[1][3] Between 2005 and 2006, the company introduced its hallmark soft serve ice cream at a price of only 1 yuan, which rapidly became a top seller; by late 2023, approximately 442 million ice cream cones had been sold across China.[5][6]

Following 2007, franchising accelerated significantly with the creation of Mixue Ice Cream & Tea Trading Co., Ltd. in 2008 to oversee franchise operations.[4] In 2012, Henan Daga Food Co., Ltd. was founded to internally produce raw materials, succeeded by the launch of Mixue Ice Cream & Tea Logistics Park in 2014 aimed at streamlining distribution throughout China.

International expansion commenced in September 2018 with an outlet opening in Hanoi, Vietnam.[3] That same year introduced the "Snow King" mascot.[3] In 2019, an "ice cream music festival" hosted in Zhengzhou attracted over 30,000 attendees.[3] By June 2020, Mixue celebrated the opening of its 10,000th store located in Yuanyang County, Henan, Xinxiang.[3] The company also entered the Indonesian market that year with a branch in Bandung.[7]

Although initially slated for September 30, 2021,[3] Mixue made substantial supply chain investments during 2022 by purchasing more than 9,000 tons of tea leaves, benefiting roughly 50,000 farmers. The brand supported over 11,000 franchisees while generating employment exceeding half a million individuals. Additionally, it initiated a scholarship fund totaling 6.5 million yuan across five universities in Henan province.[8] That year marked further growth into Southeast Asia with new stores established in Singapore,[9] Thailand, Cambodia, The Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar. By late 2022, Mixue expanded its presence into South Korea and Japan.[10]

In early 2023, Mixue launched operations in Australia with outlets opening across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.[11]

In March 2025, Mixue Group successfully completed its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising HK$3.45 billion (approximately US$444 million).[12][13] Later that year, it achieved status as the largest fast food chain worldwide by number of locations, overtaking McDonald's.[14]

Charitable Activities

In January 2020, Zhengzhou Cross-Straits Enterprise Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, contributed RMB 6 million to the Henan Provincial Charity Federation and RMB 1 million to the Wenxian Red Cross to aid COVID-19 relief efforts. During 2022, Mixue introduced a one-year cost reduction initiative totaling RMB 200 million for all franchisees operating as of December 31, 2021, achieving more than a 50% decrease in expenses related to ingredients, packaging, consumables, and equipment.

In 2021, Mixue broadened its supply network in Anyue County by engaging over 6,500 fruit farmers to supply lemons utilized in its products. After the devastating floods struck Henan Province in July 2021, Mixue’s headquarters promptly launched comprehensive disaster relief measures. The company’s Chinese Communist Party committee played a key role in organizing donations amounting to RMB 26 million distributed among affected locations such as Zhengzhou, Wenxian, Zhoukou, Xinxiang, Hebi, and Anyang. To facilitate aid delivery, a relief command center was set up to coordinate the deployment of Mixue’s warehouses across the country for supporting impacted regions.

Food Safety Concerns

In December 2022, reporters from The Beijing News conducted undercover employment applications at two Nanjing outlets and discovered that labor contracts were not mandatory and that discarded ingredients alongside cost-saving practices were employed. By mid-March 2023, complaints submitted on the Black Cat Complaint Platform had reached 4,435, predominantly focusing on food safety issues.

Employment of Underage Workers

Chinese regulations forbid hiring individuals under the age of 16, with fines imposed at 5,000 yuan per month for each minor employed illegally. On April 2, 2022, a Mixue franchise located in Tiantai County was penalized with a fine of 12,500 yuan for employing a 15-year-old worker. The franchise proprietor acknowledged the violation, explaining that the minor had been abandoned by their family; the youth has since departed from employment. Similarly, in July 2022, a Mixue store in Liaocheng Chiping County received a fine of 5,000 yuan for comparable infractions.

Halal Certification Achievement in Indonesia

Beginning February 2023, Mixue’s products sold in Indonesia have obtained halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Institute for Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Assessment (LPPOM MUI). Prior to this certification, concerns had been raised among Indonesian consumers regarding the lack of halal verification.

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :2
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :3
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :8
  5. ↑ Michelle Toh; Hassan Tayir (2024-01-04). "Two of China's bubble tea giants are gearing up for IPOs". CNN. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named cd
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named thejakartapost.com
  8. ↑ 河南日报 (2023-04-13). "蜜雪冰城发布2022年社会责任报告 全产业链带动超50万人就业". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  9. ↑ "Famous Chinese Soft-Serve Chain Mixue Opens First Singapore Outlet". 2022-03-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  10. ↑ Pandaily (2022-12-05). "Chinese Tea Chain Mixue Enters South Korea and Japan". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  12. ↑ Murdoch, Scott (3 March 2025). "China bubble tea chain Mixue pops 47% on debut as Hong Kong IPO volumes rebound".
  13. ↑ "Bubble-Tea Giant Mixue Surges After HK's Biggest IPO of Year". 2025-03-02.
  14. ↑ "McDonald's dethroned as world's largest fast food chain". 2025-03-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)

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