They’ll be back: Whether it’s the loyalty program or just the bubble tea itself, customers line up at Tpumps.

To say that Web Sun loves bubble tea may not be enough. Wherever he goes, from Hong Kong to New York, the 38-year-old managing director at a San Francisco health technology startup always picks up his fix of the sweet Asian drink.

His go-to source for bubble tea – also known as tapioca, boba or pearl milk tea – is Tpumps in San Mateo. He’s such a regular customer that the employees often start mixing his order as soon as he walks in the door – a jumbo-size, lightly sweet almond black milk tea with extra boba.

His dedication has earned him more than 300 loyalty points at Tpumps, good for several free drinks, a wristband, a stuffed panda or even an iPhone 4, if he were to cash them in. “My goal is kind of weird,” said Sun, who has redeemed his points only once, giving up 150 points for the panda. “I want to be his No. 1 customer.”

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