California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the brand that pioneered California-style casual dining four decades ago, is entering a significant new phase of corporate growth. Consortium Brand Partners (CBP), in collaboration with Eldridge Industries, Aurify Brands, and Convive Brands, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the iconic restaurant chain.
The transaction, which is supported by a debt and equity investment from Bain Capital Credit, is scheduled to close in December 2025. Under the new ownership structure, Convive Brands will serve as the global operator and master franchisor, with its CEO, Jon Weber, stepping in to lead the CPK restaurant group globally.
A Strategy for Global Scaling
The acquisition follows a period of strong performance for CPK, which saw same-store sales growth in 2025 exceed the industry average. The new leadership team plans to capitalize on this momentum through several key strategic pillars:
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Franchise Expansion: Accelerating growth across both domestic and international markets.
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Retail Presence: Strengthening the brand’s existing footprint in over 10,000 grocery retailers worldwide.
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Product Innovation: Extending the CPK brand into entirely new product categories.
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Technological Advancement: Building on the success of the brand’s recently piloted “pizza vending machine” concept, which delivers fresh-baked pizzas to non-traditional venues like airports and university campuses.
Leadership Transitions
As part of the restructuring, Jon Weber will oversee all global restaurant operations. Michael Beacham, the current President of CPK, will transition to lead the company’s consumer packaged goods (CPG) division, highlighting the brand’s commitment to growing its presence in the retail and frozen food sectors.
“California Pizza Kitchen is an iconic American brand that has inspired generations of fans through creativity and flavor,” said Jonathan Greller, President and Co-founder of Consortium Brand Partners. “We are thrilled to partner with Eldridge Industries, Aurify Brands, and Convive Brands to expand its global footprint and grocery presence.”
Portfolio Diversification
For Consortium Brand Partners, this move marks its first foray into the food and hospitality sector, adding to a high-profile portfolio that includes Jonathan Adler, Draper James, and Outdoor Voices. By acquiring an established brand with nearly $1 billion in annual revenue and a presence in 10 countries, CBP is reinforcing its strategy of investing in scalable consumer brands with deep-rooted loyalty.