Convive Brands to Serve as Global Operator and Master Franchisor of 
Iconic Restaurant Brand 
 
 
   Transaction Designed to Strengthen CPK's Position as Leader in Elevated 
Casual Dining, Convenience Innovation, and Premium Branded Food Products 
 
 
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 16, 2025-- 
 
   Consortium Brand Partners ("CBP"), a consumer brand investment platform, 
together with Eldridge Industries, Aurify Brands, and Convive Brands, 
today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to 
acquire California Pizza Kitchen (or "CPK"), the pioneering casual 
dining restaurant chain. Convive Brands, an investment and operations 
platform of high-quality restaurant concepts, will direct global 
operations and serve as master franchisor for all CPK restaurants 
worldwide. Jon Weber, Chief Executive Officer 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. 
 
 
   This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216781126/en/ 
 
 
 
   Consortium Brand Partners to Acquire California Pizza Kitchen$(R)$ in 
Partnership with Eldridge Industries, Aurify Brands, and Convive Brands. 
 
 
   Under CBP's ownership and Convive Brands' operational leadership, CPK is 
poised for a new era of growth, leveraging its strong brand equity, 
global recognition, and recent operating momentum. The partnership will 
build on CPK's recent success -- including same-store sales growth in 
2025 that outpaced the broader industry -- by accelerating domestic and 
international franchise expansion, extending the CPK brand into new 
product categories, and enhancing its presence across both restaurants 
and retail through strategic initiatives. 
 
 
   Founded in 1985 in Beverly Hills, California Pizza Kitchen established 
itself as a category trailblazer in casual dining, introducing consumers 
to a distinctive, California-inspired approach to pizzas, salads, pastas, 
and desserts. Four decades later, the brand remains a household name 
with strong consumer loyalty, a standout culinary offering, and a track 
record of adapting thoughtfully to serve guests better. 
 
 
   Today, CPK's global footprint includes more than 120 restaurants in 10 
countries, along with a rapidly expanding consumer packaged goods (CPG) 
business featuring frozen pizzas and other products available in more 
than 10,000 major grocery retailers nationwide and across the globe. The 
brand has also recently launched and successfully piloted an innovative 
pizza vending machine concept, bringing triple-heated freshly baked CPK 
pizzas to airports, campuses, and entertainment venues -- a sign of its 
continued spirit of culinary innovation and convenience. 
 
 
   "California Pizza Kitchen is an iconic American brand that has inspired 
generations of fans through creativity, flavor, and innovation," 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 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." 
 
 
   "California Pizza Kitchen is a brand with a remarkable history and an 
even brighter future," said Jon Weber, CEO of Convive Brands. "As we 
look to realize its exceptional potential, our focus remains on honoring 
CPK's legacy, empowering the teams who drive its success every day, and 
welcoming the next generation of guests to experience the flavors and 
hospitality that will continue to set it apart." 
 
 
   This transaction marks CBP's fourth acquisition, following strategic 
investments in category-defining consumer brands including Jonathan 
Adler(R), Draper James(R), and Outdoor Voices(R). The acquisition of 
California Pizza Kitchen further diversifies CBP's portfolio, expanding 
its reach into the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. The move 
underscores CBP's commitment to partnering with established brands that 
possess strong consumer affinity and scalable growth potential. 
 
 
   Aurify Brands served as an advisor on the transaction. Winston & Strawn 
LLP acted as legal counsel to CBP. Reed Smith LLP served as legal 
counsel to Eldridge Industries and Convive Brands. 
 
   About California Pizza Kitchen 
 
 
   California Pizza Kitchen $(CPK)$ is a global restaurant brand known for 
its imaginative California-style cuisine. Founded in 1985 in Beverly 
Hills, CPK introduced diners to the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and an 
inventive menu built around fresh, high-quality ingredients and bold 
flavors. Today, CPK operates more than 120 restaurants in 10 countries 
and offers a popular line of frozen pizzas and other products sold in 
grocery stores nationwide. Learn more at www.cpk.com. 
 
   About Consortium Brand Partners 
 
 
   Consortium Brand Partners is a consumer-focused investment manager 
dedicated to acquiring and amplifying high-potential brands known for 
great products rooted in a strong ethos and powerful story. Built by 
business leaders who leverage deep category and operational insight with 
years of experience investing in and managing some of the strongest 
global brands and diverse teams across various consumer sectors. Backed 
by strategic and institutional limited partners, the firm partners with 
successful brands to unlock value and scale through consumer engagement, 
category growth, and global expansion. For more information, visit 
ConsortiumBrandPartners.com. 
 
   About Convive Brands 
 
 
   Convive Brands is a New York City based multi-brand restaurant 
operations and investment platform. As part of the Eldridge Industries 
portfolio, Convive Brands builds and stewards exceptional restaurant 
brands in various categories, including Le Pain Quotidien US and The 
Little Beet. Convive Brands' investment thesis centers on operational 
fundamentals: fostering great teams, building sustainable systems and 
infrastructure, and executing excellently every day in every restaurant. 
Learn more at www.convivebrands.com. 
 
   About Eldridge Industries 
 
 
   Eldridge Industries invests in businesses across the Infrastructure, 
Technology, Mobility, Culture, and Luxury & Lifestyle landscapes. The 
firm seeks to build and grow businesses led by proven management teams 
that have demonstrated leadership and experience to scale an enterprise. 
Eldridge Industries has offices in Beverly Hills, Chicago, Dallas, 
Greenwich, London, Miami, and New York. To learn more about Eldridge 
Industries, please visit eldridgeind.com. 
 
   About Aurify Brands 
 
 
   Aurify Brands is a New York City--based hospitality investment and 
operating platform founded in 2005. Aurify Brands is focused on building, 
owning, and scaling category-leading franchise and fast-casual 
restaurant concepts. As entrepreneurs and operators, Aurify Brands 
identifies exceptional brands and partners with talented leaders to 
drive sustainable, long-term growth backed by deep operational expertise 
and a strong track record of brand building. The company has become one 
of New York City's leading independent restaurant operators, supported 
by a broad industry network, access to top culinary and creative talent, 
and differentiated deal flow. 
 
 
 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216781126/en/

 
 
    CONTACT:    Media Contact: 
 
   STARK Group 
 
 
   vijay@starkgroupnyc.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 16, 2025 08:37 ET (13:37 GMT)