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Bain Capital to buy bubble tea chain Gong cha from TA Associates and others

By Thomson Reuters Aug 5, 2026 | 9:30 PM

Aug 6 (Reuters) – Bain Capital said on Thursday it will acquire bubble tea chain Gong ​cha from TA Associates ‌and other shareholders, extending the U.S. private equity firm’s push into food and beverage investments.

Here are some more ‌details:

• ​Bain Capital did ⁠not disclose the ⁠value or terms. Reuters reported in May, citing sources, that the sale could fetch as ​much as $2 billion.

• The transaction is expected to close in ⁠the fourth quarter ⁠of 2026.

• Gong cha ​sells milk tea, fruit tea and ​other cold drinks through nearly ‌2,200 stores across 33 markets, with a strong presence in Japan, Australia and South Korea.

• ⁠TA Associates, which focuses on growth opportunities, invested in Gong cha in 2019, ⁠its ‌website shows.

• Bain Capital’s ⁠current food and restaurant ​investments ‌include Domino’s Pizza Japan, ​Brazilian steakhouse ⁠chain Fogo de Chão and restaurant franchise operator Sizzling Platter.

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil and Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in Bengaluru; Editing by ​Subhranshu Sahu)