Tianlala Stores Rebound After Two Devastating Floods

A Once-in-50-Year Disaster

On June 24th, the city of Rongjiang in Guizhou Province was hit by a historic downpour, triggering a once-in-50-year flood. Turbulent waters swept through the city’s busiest intersection, crashing into the Tianlala tea shop.

Within seven hours, the 30-square-meter store was submerged in 130 cm of muddy water. Everything—equipment, inventory, and the newly renovated interior—was destroyed. Just four days later, a second flood wave hit, even more powerful than the first, ensuring a total loss.

A Franchisee’s Livelihood on the Line

For franchisee Yang Wei, the timing was devastating. "May through August is peak tourist season here," he explained. "Our local festivals and cultural heritage sites draw massive crowds."

He tallied the initial losses:

Annual Rent (Just Paid): ¥140,000

Lost Equipment: est. ¥120,000

Projected Lost Revenue: Over ¥200,000

"It felt like years of hard work were being washed away in an instant," said Yang.

Tianlala HQ: Support Arrives Before the Waters Recede

The moment the crisis hit, Tianlala headquarters was on the phone with Yang. The message was clear: "Your safety is the priority. The company will provide the maximum possible support to help you rebuild."

This promise was backed by immediate action. As soon as the floodwaters began to subside, a corporate emergency response team was on-site. Armed with shovels and disinfectants, they waded into the mud-filled shop to help with the cleanup, sanitation, and damage assessment. The value of lost supplies and ingredients alone was over ¥50,000.

The 49-Day Rebuilding Timeline

Tianlala didn't just offer moral support; they took ownership of the recovery process.

Day 1 of Recovery: The design team was on-site the same day power was restored, taking measurements and producing new blueprints overnight.

Financial Support: Corporate headquarters covered the full ¥80,000 cost of the renovation.

On-the-Ground Management: Regional Manager Chen Xiang remained at the location, personally overseeing project timelines and coordinating with contractors to ensure a swift, high-quality rebuild.

August 11: Just 49 days after the disaster, the lights at the Rongjiang Tianlala store were turned back on.

A Stronger Grand Opening

The reopening was a resounding success. In its first week back in business, the store’s average daily sales reached ¥3,000—exceeding its pre-disaster performance.

This story is a powerful testament to the value of a true franchise partnership. As the Tianlala headquarters stated, "The sweetness of our brand will always return, stronger and more resilient than before."