Tag: Gong Cha

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Gong cha arrives in the UAE, its second Middle East market

Gong cha, one of the world’s largest bubble tea chains, has opened its first outlet in the United Arab Emirates, its second market in the Middle East, World Coffee Portal reports.

The regional expansion began in January 2024, when the company signed the largest master franchise agreement in its history with Shahia Foods Group, the region’s Dunkin’ licensee, targeting at least 300 outlets. The first store opened in Riyadh about seven months later, and Bahrain and the UAE were originally scheduled for 2025.

Progress has been slower than expected, however: only 12 Gong cha outlets operate in Saudi Arabia so far. The Middle East nevertheless remains central to the company’s plan to quadruple its global network over the next five years.

Source: World Coffee Portal

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Bain Capital Acquires Gong Cha, One of the World’s Largest Tea Brands

Investment firm Bain Capital announced on August 6, 2026 an agreement to acquire Gong Cha Global from TA Associates. Gong Cha is one of the best-known international tea and tea-based beverage brands, operating nearly 2,200 locations across 33 markets with leading positions across Asia-Pacific, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

The deal marks one of the most significant moves in the global tea industry this year and confirms investor appetite for bubble-tea-style brands, a segment growing rapidly worldwide, driven by rising demand for customizable, portable tea-based drinks. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The precise terms of the deal’s completion are expected to be finalized in the coming period, subject to the usual regulatory approvals for transactions of this scale.

Source: Bain Capital