Introduction:Once renowned for its affordable prices and attentive service, Anhui’s local bubble tea brand Kawanca has in recent years drawn consumer dissatisfaction due to multiple stealth price hikes. From its classic red bean milk tea to the popular Black Full Set, prices have climbed steadily while few promotional activities have been offered, leaving many loyal customers disappointed. This article will take an in-depth look at Kawanca’s pricing history, present real feedback from local consumers, and explore the brand’s pricing strategy and challenges in the competitive tea beverage market.

Dubbed the “Haidilao of the bubble tea world,” the Anhui-based brand Kawanca has recently sparked heated discussion among local netizens following price increases on several popular drinks. From red bean milk tea to hand-peeled oranges, and even its signature Black Full Set, these widely loved products have seen their prices rise year after year, yet no coupons or group-buying deals have been introduced, greatly disappointing many long-time supporters.

Founded in 2008, Kawanca initially carved out a niche in Anhui’s tea beverage market with its low-price strategy and high-quality ingredients, earning the reputation of the “Shining Light of Hefei’s Bubble Tea” thanks to its meticulous service. However, as overall tea beverage prices have generally risen, Kawanca has chosen to increase prices against the trend, and for years has offered no substantial discounts, gradually wearing down consumer goodwill and support.

According to feedback from local consumers, over the past few years, the prices of several of Kawanca’s flagship drinks have seen significant increases. Long-time customers have pointed out that:the red bean milk tea rose from 12 yuan last year to 13 yuan, and then further increased to 14 yuan today;the popularhand-peeled oranges went up from the original 16 yuan to 20 yuan;and the most iconicBlack Full Set milk tea has climbed from an initial 8 to 9 yuan all the way up to 17 yuan, nearly doubling in price.。

If the price increases were due to upgraded ingredients or higher operational costs, many long-time customers say they could understand, but what frustrates them is that Kawanca has“never had coupons, never had group buys”for years, and even on mainstream platforms, discount coupons are rarely available. Additionally, some stores also charge extra delivery fees, further increasing the financial burden on customers.

Some consumers have bluntly stated that without any promotions, Kawanca’s frequent price hikes make the overall pricing exceed public expectations. Many believe the brand’s “one price increase per year” strategy comes off as “too arrogant,” with some saying that since they noticed the quiet price adjustments, they have reduced or stopped choosing the brand.

In the memories of many locals in Anhui, Kawanca used to be an affordable drink shared among friends during school days—reasonably priced and full of heart. It was this sense of nostalgia, coupled with the considerate service of its stores, that made many locals willing to support the brand long-term and actively recommend it to out-of-town visitors as the “Shining Light of Hefei’s Bubble Tea.”

However, in the current highly competitive bubble tea market where major brands are rolling out promotions and price cuts to attract customers, Kawanca has chosen to “go against the tide.” Not only has it never launched appealing discount campaigns, but its drink prices have also continued to rise year after year, making many customers feel that “a cup of bubble tea is getting more and more expensive,” gradually eroding the years of accumulated goodwill and trust.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.