BOBAKAT made its official Indian debut at the India Fashion Forum 2026 (IFF2026) in Bengaluru, entering a fast-evolving beverage and café market. Launched by Kathy’s Beverages Private Limited, the contemporary bubble tea brand aims to capture a new generation of drinkers by balancing global inspiration with localized appeal, marking a confident first step into the national landscape.
The bubble tea brand, founded by Dr. Rupali Ambegaonkar and co-founded by Sanjeev Rao, is focused on building scalable, experience-led beverage concepts aligned with India’s evolving urban lifestyle. Conceptualized as more than just a beverage brand, BOBAKAT aims to create a distinctive bubble tea culture—combining premium ingredients, playful flavours, and a strong visual and social identity.
Dr. Rupali Ambegaonkar was also the founder of Tea Culture of The World (TCW), which she scaled and sold successfully before moving on to her next challenge, BOBAKAT.
Her co-founder, retail veteran Sanjeev Rao, is a well-known multidisciplinary business leader. Rao has been instrumental in leading strategic growth in the retail arena (apparel, hypermarkets, department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and entertainment) and has successfully turned many businesses profitable. An alumnus of the Wharton Business School UPENN, he has handled core teams of large retail units as a cross-functional expert and has worked at leadership levels with retail giants like Raymond, Landmark group, Aditya Birla Retail, and Jubilant Retail across strategy, operations, and P&L management.
“India’s consumers today are experimental, global in outlook, and driven by experience,” said the founders at the launch event. “BOBAKAT is designed to meet this shift – bringing an international bubble tea format that is thoughtfully adapted for Indian tastes and preferences.”
Launch & Expansion Plans
The unveiling at IFF2026 offered BOBAKAT a strategic platform to engage with retail leaders, mall developers, franchise partners, and investors from across the country. The brand garnered strong interest from the retail and lifestyle community, underscoring the growing demand for new-age, youth-focused beverage formats.
“Currently, BOBAKAT has 16 stores, spread across 7 cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Trivandrum, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. We plan to open 30-35 new stores in FY26-27 & 50 stores in FY27-28, across key Indian metros through a mix of flagship stores and scalable retail formats in both malls and high streets,” Sanjeev Rao told IMAGES Business of Fashion on the sidelines of IFF 2026.
The brand is also introducing food as a part of its offering moving forward, alongside a big push in online sales, B2B, and events. As part of its second phase offering, the brand also plans to move into the FMCG space.
BOBAKAT aims to establish a strong national presence, supported by robust operations, consistent quality, and distinctive brand storytelling. The launch signals a clear shift in India’s beverage landscape—where taste converges with culture, and refreshment evolves into an immersive experience.
