Operations

California Pizza Kitchen to be acquired by Consortium Brand Partners

Photo: California Pizza Kitchen

December 17, 2025

Summarize with

California Pizza Kitchen will be acquired by Consortium Brand Partners, a consumer brand investment platform, together with Eldridge Industries, Aurify Brands and Convive Brands, according to a press release.

Convive Brands, an investment and operations platform of restaurant concepts, will direct global operations and serve as master franchisor for all CPK restaurants worldwide.

Jon Weber, CEO of Convive Brands, will serve as CEO of the CPK restaurant group, overseeing all restaurant operations globally. Bain Capital Credit is supporting the acquisition with a debt and equity investment. The transaction will close in December 2025.

California Pizza Kitchen has more than 120 restaurants in 10 countries and a consumer packaged goods division.

"California Pizza Kitchen is an iconic American brand that has inspired generations of fans through creativity, flavor, and innovation," Jonathan Greller, president and co-founder of Consortium Brand Partners, said in the press release. "We are thrilled to partner with Eldridge Industries, Aurify Brands, and Convive Brands to build on CPK's rich heritage by expanding its global restaurant footprint, growing its grocery presence, and exploring new product categories that celebrate California creativity and flavor."

In a statement to Pizza Marketplace, Jon Weber, CEO of Convive Brands, said: "We're excited to partner with Consortium Brand Partners and the California Pizza Kitchen organization to help the business achieve its tremendous potential. We look forward to leveraging our deep experience and operational discipline to support and scale CPK while preserving what makes it so special.

"In the near term, our focus will be to listen and learn, support the talented teams behind the concept, and deliver a consistently excellent guest experience. At the same time, we'll look to be there for our franchise partners with increased hands-on support, stronger systems and resources, and a more consistent operational environment.

"Longer term, we see real opportunity to expand thoughtfully across the U.S. and internationally.

"From a guest perspective, people should expect an enhanced experience across locations, with the same great food and innovative menu offerings, delivered with improved execution and hospitality.

"Ultimately, this is about building on a brand people already love by honoring CPK's extraordinary heritage and thoughtfully positioning it for its next stage of sustainable growth."

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.