Partners Group exits Gong cha credit investment as Bain Capital steps in

Partners Group Holding AG (CH:PGHN) has announced its exit from its private credit and minority equity investment in Gong cha, a rapidly expanding global tea brand. The move follows TA Associates’ sale of Gong cha to Bain Capital. Partners Group initially provided over USD 200 million in financing as the sole lender for TA’s 2019 acquisition, demonstrating its ability to structure large-scale sponsor-backed credit solutions in Asia. During the investment period, Gong cha expanded its market reach from 17 to 33 countries and its store count from around 1,000 to nearly 2,200. The company also introduced a ‘Digital Kitchen’ model and completed strategic mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. These developments, combined with Partners Group’s successful exit, highlight the firm’s track record in Asian private credit and its position as a leading direct lender in the region’s consumer and growth sectors. The most recent analyst rating for Partners Group Holding AG stock is a Hold with a price target of CHF 785.00. Partners Group is a Switzerland-based private markets investment firm managing over USD 186 billion in assets globally, specializing in private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, royalties, and special opportunities. With a focus on thematic investing and active value creation, the firm operates across multiple geographies and asset classes, including a 15-year presence in Asian private credit. Its operational approach and tailored credit solutions have supported transactions such as sponsor-backed acquisitions and growth financing, positioning it as a key player in global private debt markets.