Tea is India’s oldest daily ritual and a resilient business category — affordable, repeat-purchase heavy, and highly local. Black Pekoe Tea (often marketed as BlackPekoe / Black Pekoe Tea) is a premium live-brew tea concept that has been expanding through low-investment franchise outlets across southern India. If you’re considering a tea-franchise that promises low upfront cost and quick time-to-market, Black Pekoe is frequently listed as one of the pocket-friendly options — but like any franchise, the numbers, model and risk profile need careful scrutiny. Below I unpack the franchise model, estimated cost, ROI expectations, eligibility criteria and the step-by-step application process — and show how to verify claims before you sign anything.
Quick Snapshot
- Brand / concept: Black Pekoe Tea — premium live-brew tea outlets with a limited, tea-centric menu and format tailored for high footfall neighbourhoods.
- Typical advertised franchise investment: ₹2.49 lakh (widely circulated figure for the basic outlet / kiosk package). Many franchise listings and local franchise consultants quote that figure as the entry band.
- Format: Small kiosks / counters / shop-in-shop or cafe-style outlets (low capex model). Support typically includes branding, recipes, training and supply linkage.
- Initial contact: BlackPekoe lists a franchise enquiry page and public contact numbers for franchise leads (e.g., 96117-42424 shown in their social channels and listing pages). Use the official franchise enquiry page or phone to request the latest pack.
What the Black Pekoe franchise model usually includes
From public franchise listings and the brand’s franchise pages, the Black Pekoe model is deliberately low-investment and high-velocity:
- Small footprint outlets: kiosk, cart, small cafe (suitable for malls, high-street, markets, college areas).
- Fixed, limited menu: focus on brewed teas, a few snack pairings — simplifies inventory and training.
- Franchisor support: brand collateral, recipe training, basic equipment list, marketing guidance and a supply/stocking arrangement for proprietary blends or ingredients.
- Low royalty structure (often): many “small format” food franchises choose a modest royalty or buy-back/stock model to keep early adoption attractive — exact terms are shared only after enquiry.
Cost Breakdown (advertised / common structure)
Note: These numbers are representative of basic entry-level packages promoted in franchise portals and should be verified with Black Pekoe directly (some listings are promotional or local-agent driven).
Cost head | Typical range / note |
Franchise fee / package | ₹2.49 lakh (advertised entry combo — franchise fee + starter kit). |
Equipment (tea brewers, kettles, dispensers) | Included in kit or extra ₹20k–₹60k depending on configuration. turn0search0 |
Initial raw material / stock | ₹10k–₹50k (low, due to small menu). |
Fit-out & kiosk / counter | ₹50k–₹3 lakh depending on location and whether shop infrastructure exists. |
Working capital (1–3 months) | ₹25k–₹1 lakh (staff, utilities, rent buffer). |
Total typical | From ₹2.5 lakh up to ₹5–6 lakh for a simple indoor kiosk or small roadside shop — much higher if you convert a full café. |
Because the concept is deliberately small, the entry cost advertised (₹2.49L) appeals to first-time entrepreneurs. But remember: location rent, local approvals and staffing can add materially to the total before first revenue.
ROI & Break-Even Expectations
- Gross margins: Tea and snack combos have decent gross margins (30–60% typical on beverages); net margin after rent & staff depends on footfall.
- Daily throughput matters: A busy kiosk doing 100–300 beverage transactions daily will scale profit fast; a low traffic site might struggle.
- Payback window: With high footfall and efficient cost control, conservative payback can be 8–18 months; in slower locations expect 12–30 months. These estimates come from small F&B franchise benchmarks and field reports for cheap-capex kiosk formats.
Eligibility Criteria
Black Pekoe and similar small-format food franchises usually look for:
- Availability of capital to meet package + working capital (ability to show funds).
- A suitable site (mall, busy market, petrol pump, college/corporate hub) — franchisor often provides minimum catchment & shop frontage guidance.
- Operational commitment — willingness to run store daily or appoint a trustworthy operator.
- Local approvals & licences — shop/establishment, municipal food permits, GST, FSSAI (if applicable).
- Customer-service orientation — quick service, hygiene and brand compliance.
Steps to apply — practical step-by-step
- Do quick local market research — observe tea footfall, competitor prices, rent and busiest hours.
- Visit the official franchise page and fill the enquiry form (the brand maintains a franchise enquiry page). Keep your business profile, site photos, proposed investment band and contact details ready.
- Call the franchise number shown on social accounts or listing pages to accelerate initial screening (e.g., 96117-42424 listed on social pages).
- Seek the franchise disclosure pack — it should include detailed costs, contract terms, royalty structure (if any), training, supply obligations and territory rights.
- Site approval & agreement — get the site assessed; sign the agreement after legal review and confirm franchise support timelines.
- Training & launch — complete training, fit-out as per brand spec, stock up, and schedule a coordinated launch.
- Operations & ongoing compliance — maintain quality, report sales, reorder supplies, and follow brand marketing/operational standards.
Due diligence & red flags
- Insist on written commercial terms (no verbal promises).
- Verify existing outlets — visit nearby Black Pekoe outlets to assess real-world support and volumes.
- Watch for unrealistic income claims — promoters sometimes inflate daily sales examples.
- Confirm supply & SKU pricing — if franchisor mandates proprietary stock, check pricing & replenishment lead times.
Official contact & next step
Black Pekoe maintains an official franchise enquiry page; many listings also show local phone contacts for franchise enquiries. Use the franchise page or the business contact numbers displayed on the brand’s social pages to request the formal franchise pack and the latest commercial terms. Example enquiry contacts shown publicly include the franchise enquiry page and numbers like 96117-42424.
Final advice
A Black Pekoe franchise is attractive for entrepreneurs seeking a low-cost, fast-setup F&B concept focused on tea. The official ₹2.49 lakh entry figure makes it accessible, but you must validate total project cost (rent, fit-out, working capital), understand recurring supplier obligations, and ensure your chosen location has the footfall to hit break-even sooner. Always request the official franchise disclosure pack and speak to at least two existing franchisees before finalising.

Shashi Kant is the Founder and Editor of BusinessScroller.com, a leading platform for business insights, finance trends, and industry analysis. With a passion for journalism and expertise in business reporting, he curates well-researched content on market strategies, startups, and corporate success stories. His vision is to provide valuable information that empowers entrepreneurs and professionals. Under his leadership, BusinessScroller.com has grown into a trusted source for in-depth articles, customer care guides, and financial expertise.