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08/2019MajorityLBO

TA Associates takes majority stake in Gong Cha Group

TAIWAN Hospitality & Leisure / Hospitality / Restaurants / Chains REV 1m USD - 100m USD

Context

The transaction involves a strategic growth investment by TA Associates in Gong Cha Group, with participation from the founders of Gong Cha Korea. This move represents a significant platform investment in the global consumer beverage space, supported by a unitranche debt financing package from Partners Group that includes an equity kicker. The strategic rationale is underpinned by the desire to accelerate the brand’s expansion into new and existing international markets, leveraging the acquirer’s deep global resources and long history of building value in franchised retail models. By appointing an experienced leadership team with backgrounds in global QSR expansion, the partnership aims to professionalize operations and strengthen the company's position as a dominant leader in the global tea market, which continues to outperform the coffee sector in terms of total market size. This investment highlights a growing trend of institutional capital targeting high-growth, profitable Asian-origin brands with proven scalability in Western markets.

Gong Cha Group, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2019, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of [members only].

-> Deep-dive in Retail & Consumer market trends

Target

Gong Cha Group is a premier global franchisor and operator specializing in high-quality Taiwanese-style bubble and milk tea. Established in 2006 in Kaohsiung, the company has transformed from a local specialty shop into one of the world's most recognized tea brands, operating more than 1,000 stores across 17 countries. Its business model is primarily franchise-led, utilizing a diverse range of retail formats including urban storefronts, mall-based kiosks, and high-traffic transit locations. The group maintains a strict commitment to quality, sourcing tea from select Taiwanese estates and ensuring fresh brewing cycles every four hours. This focus on premium ingredients and innovation in seasonal tea-based drinks has allowed the firm to capture significant market share in the rapidly expanding global beverage sector. Strategically, the entity benefits from a capital-light model and strong brand equity, positioning it as a leading platform for further consolidation in the fragmented global tea market. Its value proposition is centered on the "tribute tea" heritage, combining traditional artisanal methods with modern, scalable retail operations to serve a diverse, international consumer base.

Ent. Value

[members only]

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

[members only]

EV / EBITDA

[members only]

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (USD)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2019
$1–100M
[members only]
[members only]
2018
$1–100M
[members only]
[members only]

Other operations with Gong Cha Group

Other operations with Gong Cha Group
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
08/2026BAIN CAPITALGONG CHA GROUPTAIWANRestaurants / Chains

Other operations with TA Associates

Other operations with TA Associates
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
04/2025TA ASSOCIATESSMARTTRADE TECHNOLOGIESFRANCEFinancial Services / Banking
01/2025TA ASSOCIATESNEXUSGERMANYHealthcare
07/2024FRANCISCO PARTNERS / TA ASSOCIATESORISHAFRANCEIndustry-Specific Software
01/2024TA ASSOCIATESROCSCIENCECANADAEngineering & Design Software
05/2023TA ASSOCIATES / MONTAGU PRIVATE EQUITYHARVESTFRANCEFinancial Services / Banking
11/2021TA ASSOCIATESNACTAROME GROUPITALYIngredients
06/2015TA ASSOCIATESHANA GROUPFRANCEFood Products

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REFERENCES

Revenue range: REV 1m USD - 100m USD

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Gong Cha Group by TA Associates are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Target: gong cha group

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers the acquisition of a majority stake in Gong Cha Group, a Taiwanese company specialised in Hospitality, by TA Associates in 2019, structured as a leveraged buyout (LBO). Ownership has since evolved, leading to a subsequent transaction with Bain Capital in August 2026 (see the dedicated deal page for details).

What sources support the information on this transaction?

Transaction data and operational intelligence were compiled from independent financial press reporting by specialized M&A publications.

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