Consumer-focused private equity firm
Encore Consumer Capital
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, CA S1
- Founded2005 S1
- Websiteencoreconsumer.com
- Last verifiedNovember 3, 2026
At a glance
| Latest fund | Encore Consumer Capital Fund V, $350M (Jan 2026) S5 |
|---|---|
| Revenue range | $10M to $150M S2 |
| Check size | $5M to $50M S2 |
| Deal types | Platform, Minority, Growth, Add-on S2 |
| Geography | North America S2 |
| Sectors | Consumer & Food, Distribution |
What Encore Consumer Capital buys
Encore Consumer Capital is a San Francisco private equity firm, founded in 2005, that invests only in consumer staples. Its target list covers food, beverage, personal care and beauty, pet products, household goods, private label and contract manufacturing, foodservice and ingredients, and food distribution. It looks for companies with $10 million to $150 million of revenue, most of it earned in North America, and puts in $5 million to $50 million of equity for either a majority stake or a significant minority stake.
Owners use Encore's money in three main ways: to take some cash out while keeping a large share, to pay for growth such as new production lines or a bigger sales team, or to fund acquisitions. The firm has raised more than $1.4 billion since it started and is now investing its fifth fund, which closed at $350 million in January 2026. A smaller food maker could also meet Encore as an add-on, since it bought DeIorio's and Chalet Desserts as platforms meant to make further acquisitions.
Recent deals
Announced in the 24 months before November 3, 2026.
| Date | Company | Type | Sector | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | Fantasy Baking Co.Private label cookie and bar maker in Sylmar, California sold to Sweetmore Bakeries | Exit | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Jun 2026 | Twang FoodserviceFoodservice beverage and seasoning division sold to Solina USA; Encore and the founding family kept the Twang Brands packaged foods business | Exit | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Mar 2026 | Navitas OrganicsOrganic superfoods brand sold to Laird Superfood | Exit | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Jan 2026 | Encore Consumer Capital Fund VOversubscribed fifth fund closed at $350 million after a fundraise of under five months | Fund close | Source | |
| Dec 2025 | Lion BeverageSingle-asset continuation vehicle led by Apogem closed with more than $150 million of commitments, with significant participation by Encore | Investment | Consumer & Food | Source |
| Apr 2025 | LYS BeautySignificant minority stake in a Georgia clean makeup brand; the founder kept majority ownership | Minority | Consumer & Food | Source |
Portfolio by sector
From the firm's portfolio page S3.
Brands
- LYS Beauty
- Open Farm
- Love Wellness
- Twang Brands
Manufacturing / Distribution
- Lion Beverage
- General Produce
- Chalet Desserts
- DeIorio's
Past investments: Navitas Organics, Twang Foodservice, Fantasy Baking Co.
Greymont’s take
How Encore Consumer Capital fits a seller
Encore fits founders of branded or private label consumer staples companies who want a partner that already knows their category and their retail buyers. Because it will take a significant minority stake, an owner can take money off the table and still keep control: LYS Beauty's founder kept majority ownership when Encore invested in April 2025. Encore also backs makers and distributors, not only brands, as its Lion Beverage, DeIorio's and General Produce holdings show.
Its 2026 exits all went to industry buyers (Laird Superfood, Solina and Sweetmore Bakeries), so owners should expect the plan to point toward a sale to a larger strategic within several years. Lion Beverage shows another path, since Encore moved it into a continuation vehicle in December 2025 to keep backing it. Ask how long Encore usually holds, how a minority deal protects your control, and whether you would roll equity into a later sale.
Questions owners ask
Will Encore take a minority stake?
Yes. Its criteria list both majority and significant minority positions. In April 2025 it made a significant minority investment in LYS Beauty, and the founder kept majority ownership of the company.
What size company does Encore look for?
Encore targets consumer companies with $10 million to $150 million of annual revenue, mostly earned in North America, and makes equity investments of $5 million to $50 million.
Who has Encore sold companies to recently?
In 2026 it sold Navitas Organics to Laird Superfood in March, the Twang foodservice business to Solina USA in June, and Fantasy Baking Co. to Sweetmore Bakeries in August.
Is Encore making new investments?
Yes. It closed Fund V with $350 million of commitments in January 2026, and an October 2026 release said the firm is beginning to deploy that fund.
Sources
- S1Encore Consumer Capital home page (founded 2005, San Francisco address, featured current investments) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S2Encore: Our Approach (investment criteria and target categories) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S3Encore: Partner Companies Accessed November 3, 2026
- S4Encore: News Accessed November 3, 2026
- S5Encore Closes Oversubscribed Fund V at $350 Million (January 29, 2026) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S6Encore Announces Investment in LYS Beauty (April 1, 2025) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S7Encore Closes Continuation Vehicle for Lion Beverage (December 15, 2025) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S8Encore Announces Exit of Navitas Organics (March 13, 2026) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S9Encore Announces Sale of Twang Foodservice Division to Solina USA (June 9, 2026) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S10Encore Announces Sale of Fantasy Baking Co. to Sweetmore Bakeries (August 25, 2026) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S11Encore Promotes Paul Rivenburgh to Managing Director (February 26, 2026; lists his current board seats) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S12Encore Closes Acquisition of DeIorio's (October 28, 2024) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S13Encore News, page 2 (May 16, 2024 Chalet Desserts frozen baked goods platform) Accessed November 3, 2026
- S14Caroline Shettle Joins Encore Consumer Capital as a Director (October 1, 2026; Fund V deployment) Accessed November 3, 2026
Compiled by Greymont Advisors from public sources, including the firm’s own website and press releases. Greymont is not affiliated with Encore Consumer Capital. Figures are as reported on the dates shown and may have changed. Request a correction