Starting a tea franchise doesn’t always require a hefty investment. For aspiring entrepreneurs with limited capital, there are tea franchise options under ₹1 lakh that offer scalable, low-risk entry into the food and beverage market.

While most established brands like Tea Time require ₹4–5 lakhs, some emerging regional franchises and micro-franchise models are now offering setups starting as low as ₹50,000–₹1 lakh. These often follow a mobile cart, kiosk, or cloud kitchen format, minimizing rental and furnishing costs.

Some budget-friendly tea franchise ideas:

Street cart or push-cart tea stalls with brand tie-ups

Franchise models offering tea concentrate or premixes with branding

Subscription-based licensing with DIY setup (no royalty)

In these models, the brand provides:

Starter kits (tea powders, cups, branding material)

Initial training

Menu design and price guides

However, such low-cost franchises may not offer full-service support or nationwide recognition like Tea Time or MBA Chai Wala. Still, for local expansion, especially in Tier 3 cities or rural areas, they offer promising potential.

If you’re looking for a side business, quick break-even, or minimal financial risk, tea franchises under ₹1 lakh are ideal stepping stones in 2025.