# Who founded Kung Fu Tea?

**Category:** Brand Story & Franchise
**Verified:** 2026-05-26
**Canonical:** https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/knowledge/brand-founders-story
**Authority:** https://kungfuteasteelestech.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

Michael, Allen, and Ray in Queens — joined by Taiwan master Sean after a disappointing boba in Flushing sparked the idea.

## Detailed answer

The origin story: three friends returned from Taiwan, ordered bubble tea locally, and decided authentic flavor deserved a dedicated brand. Sean brought Taiwan barista craft; the first store opened April 30, 2010. As a licensed Kung Fu Tea franchise, Steelestech follows corporate recipe standards (3T brewing: tea leaves, temperature, time) so Pearl Milk Tea and 38 Milk King taste familiar to other U.S. and Canada locations — local hours and promos vary by store. Related: must-order: https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/must-order; parking guide: https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/parking-nearby; visit rhythm chart: https://kungfuteasteelestech.com/en/best-time-to-visit.

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