Major Chinese Pharmaceutical Company NCPC Opens Milk Tea Shop: Is Drinking Milk Tea Healthy? Yes, It Is!

Pharmaceutical Giant Enters the Tea Market: NCPC Launches "Zhenyinzi" Brand

This August, North China Pharmaceutical Company (NCPC) published an article on its official WeChat account titled "Healthy Trend Drink 'Zhenyinzi' Lands at Chang'an Wanda on Qixi Festival to a Warm Welcome," and the internet took notice. A major pharmaceutical company selling milk tea?

Diversifying Under Pressure

That's right. This well-known drugmaker has turned to the tea business amid mounting pressures — reputation challenges from centralized drug procurement, shrinking net profits, and heavy debt loads. According to reports, the "Zhenyinzi" trademark belongs to NCPC's subsidiary Hebei Huawei Health Industry Co., Ltd.; Tianyancha data shows NCPC holds 51% of the company's equity.

First Store and Brand Positioning

In mid-August, the brand opened its first store in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, positioning itself around "healthy water," a "Five Elements secret formula," "all-natural, zero additives," "herbal formulations," and affordable prices — basic drinks start at just 7 yuan.

A Health-Themed Customer Experience

Low prices aside, the shop leans hard into its pharmaceutical heritage. During the trial run, anyone buying milk tea could also get a full intelligent health check-up — an offer that quickly drew Shijiazhuang netizens through the door.

Customers report the check-up is genuinely thorough: the robot scans 10 major body systems across 70 indicators and recommends drinks to match. Tired eyes? Try the anthocyanin blueberry milkshake. Want to boost immunity? There's a lion's mane melon milkshake for that.

Strong Sales and Expansion Plans

The "buy milk tea, get a health check" formula brought in nearly 8,000 yuan on day one. Over the following months, business stayed so brisk that the shop suspended delivery services to focus on in-store customers. Management is already preparing franchise materials and plans to officially open franchising next year, with the first phase reportedly rolling out across several North China cities.

A Business Model Beyond Tea

But franchising isn't just about drinks. The stores will also sell Huawei Health's functional health foods, carrying the corporate mission of "Everything for Human Health" — effectively turning every Zhenyinzi franchise into a Huawei Health distributor.

Surprised? So were we. Even the merchandise is designed with everyone's health in mind.

Image source: North China Pharmaceutical Company

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