HONOLULU (Island News) -- Teapresso Bar, a food and beverage establishment popularly known for boba, received a cease and desist from the state for allegations of violating state franchise laws.

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Commissioner of Securities Ty Nohara issued a preliminary order to cease and desist and a hearing request against Teapresso Bar LLC on Oct. 14, 2025. The order alleges that Teapresso sold multiple unregistered franchises in Hawaii under its sole managing member Thanh “Steve” Nguyen.

According to the court order, Teapresso violated state franchise laws when the company granted 26 franchises in Hawaii between Dec. 2016 and July 2021.

During this process, Teapresso failed to provide an offering circular to prospective franchisees before

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