# California Pizza Kitchen > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/California_Pizza_Kitchen > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/California_Pizza_Kitchen.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Pizza_Kitchen > Source revision: 1355036423 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American restaurant chain}} {{Distinguish|Pizza California}} {{Infobox company | name = California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. | logo = California Pizza Kitchen Logo.svg | type = [Private](/source/Privately_held_company) | traded_as = {{NASDAQ was|CPKI}} | industry = [Food and beverage](/source/Food_and_beverage) | genre = American Cuisine | area_served = United States (incl. Guam), Costa Rica, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, South Korea | key_people = Jeff Warne ([CEO](/source/Chief_executive_officer)){{cite press release|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180122005525/en/|title=California Pizza Kitchen Names Jim Hyatt as CEO |date=22 January 2018 |access-date=2018-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131023246/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180122005525/en/|archive-date=2018-01-31|url-status=live}} | products = Pizzas, pastas, salads, small plates, and desserts | num_locations = 184 (As of May 9, 2023){{Cite web|first=Gary|last=Stern|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystern/2023/05/09/california-pizza-kitchen-bouncing-back-from-bankruptcy/?sh=a00cb4d31ee1|title=California Pizza Kitchen: Bouncing Back From Bankruptcy|website=Forbes|date=9 May 2023}} | services = Polished casual dining restaurant | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | owner = | num_employees = 14,000{{cite web | url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=25975 | title=California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. — Private Company Information | website=Bloomberg | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529145612/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=25975 | archive-date=May 29, 2011 | url-status=dead }} | divisions = | subsid = CPK ASAP | footnotes = | intl = | foundation = {{start date and age|1985}} | founders = Rick Rosenfield
Larry Flax | location = [Costa Mesa, California](/source/Costa_Mesa%2C_California), United States | caption = | homepage = {{URL|http://www.cpk.com}} }} '''California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.''' ('''CPK''') is an American [casual dining](/source/casual_dining) [restaurant chain](/source/restaurant_chain) that specializes in [California-style pizza](/source/California-style_pizza). The restaurant was started in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax in [Beverly Hills, California](/source/Beverly_Hills%2C_California), United States.{{cite book|title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America|last1=Smith|first1=Andrew F.|publisher=Oxford University Press USA|year=2013|isbn=9780199734962|pages=86}}{{cite web | title=About CPK | url=http://www.cpk.com/company/ | website=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=November 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105024711/http://www.cpk.com/company/ | archive-date=2013-11-05 | url-status=dead }} California Pizza Kitchen introduced and popularized BBQ Chicken Pizza.{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Ceara |date=2021-05-10 |title=California Pizza Kitchen Invented This Type Of Pizza |url=https://www.mashed.com/405640/california-pizza-kitchen-invented-this-type-of-pizza/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Mashed |language=en-US}} == Description == {{center|{{gallery |title= California Pizza Kitchen locations |File:CPK HK.JPG |The [Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong](/source/Ocean_Terminal%2C_Hong_Kong) location at Christmastime |File:STC New Wing CPK.jpg |A new California Pizza Kitchen in [Stamford, Connecticut](/source/Stamford%2C_Connecticut) |File:California_Pizza_Kitchen_GSP.jpg |A California Pizza Kitchen location at [Westfield Garden State Plaza](/source/Westfield_Garden_State_Plaza) in [Paramus, New Jersey](/source/Paramus%2C_New_Jersey) }}}} The chain has over 185 locations in 32 U.S. states{{cite web | url=http://www.cpk.com/locations/ | title=Domestic Locations | website=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103050119/http://www.cpk.com/locations/ | archive-date=January 3, 2016 | url-status=live }} and 10 other countries,{{cite web | url=http://www.cpk.com/locations/#international | title=International Locations | website=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103050119/http://www.cpk.com/locations/#international | archive-date=January 3, 2016 | url-status=live }} including 15 California Pizza Kitchen nontraditional, franchise concepts designed for airports, universities, and stadiums. CPK's brand is licensed to a line of hand-tossed style, crispy thin crust, gluten-free crust, and small [frozen](/source/Food_preservation) pizzas for sale in supermarkets.{{cite web | url=http://www.cpkfrozen.com/pizza | title=Crispy Thin Crust Frozen Pizza | website=CPK Frozen Pizza | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=2015-04-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419175557/http://www.cpkfrozen.com/pizza | archive-date=2015-04-19 | url-status=live }} The brand was originally licensed to [Kraft](/source/Kraft) in 1999.{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-14-fi-10095-story.html | title=California Pizza Kitchen Tries the Frozen Food Aisle | first=Greg | last=Hernandez | website=Los Angeles Times | date=September 14, 1999 | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213174219/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/sep/14/business/fi-10095 | archive-date=December 13, 2015 | url-status=live }} The license was assigned to [Nestlé](/source/Nestl%C3%A9) after it purchased Kraft's pizza lines in 2010.{{cite press release | url=http://info.cpk.com/press_releases/2010/cpki_news_2010_1_5_general_releases_nestle.pdf | title=California Pizza Kitchen Licensing Agreement With Kraft Foods To Transition to Nestle | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | date=January 5, 2010 | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020045121/http://info.cpk.com/press_releases/2010/cpki_news_2010_1_5_general_releases_nestle.pdf | archive-date=October 20, 2012 | url-status=dead }} ==History== thumb|A California Club pizza from CPK In 1985, Flax and Rosenfield pooled $200,000 in bank loans and savings along with $350,000 invested from friends to lease space on [Beverly Drive](/source/Beverly_Drive) in Beverly Hills, California. The first menu, including the famous BBQ Chicken Pizza, was developed by [Ed LaDou](/source/Ed_LaDou), then the pizza chef at [Wolfgang Puck](/source/Wolfgang_Puck)'s [Spago](/source/Spago) restaurant. The very first customer at CPK was actress [Shirley MacLaine](/source/Shirley_MacLaine).{{cite web |last1=Peleg |first1=Oren |title=The Rise And Fall And Resurrection Of California Pizza Kitchen |url=https://la.eater.com/2025/3/26/24394552/california-pizza-kitchen-los-angeles-history-barbecue-chicken-pizza |website=Eater LA |publisher=Eater / Vox Media |access-date=27 March 2025}} Amongst the employees at the original location was chef [Suzanne Goin](/source/Suzanne_Goin), who worked there the summer of 1985, while she was home from her first year at college.{{cite web |last1=Peleg |first1=Oren |title=The Rise And Fall And Resurrection Of California Pizza Kitchen |url=https://la.eater.com/2025/3/26/24394552/california-pizza-kitchen-los-angeles-history-barbecue-chicken-pizza |website=Eater LA |publisher=Eater / Vox Media |access-date=27 March 2025}} CPK became an immediate success, and the company expanded throughout Southern California. By 1992, there were 26 CPKs.{{Cite news | last = Lacter | first = Mark | title = Second Helping: How the two guys who founded California Pizza Kitchen kept their unlikely partnership—and their company—alive | newspaper = Los Angeles Magazine | pages = 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 | date = August 2008 | url = http://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/second-helping/ | access-date = January 3, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123011/http://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/second-helping/ | archive-date = March 4, 2016 | url-status = live }} Flax and Rosenfield served as co-CEO and co-chairmen of CPK from 1985 through to 1996.{{cite web | url=http://www.flax-rosenfield.com/principals/ | title=Principals Flax and Rosenfield | access-date=Feb 20, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221183103/http://www.flax-rosenfield.com/principals/ | archive-date=February 21, 2018 | url-status=live }} In 1992, [PepsiCo](/source/PepsiCo) paid nearly $100 million for 67% of the chain, with Flax and Rosenfield each receiving $17.5 million. At the time, this was thought to be more than CPK was worth, and PepsiCo pushed to expand faster. CPK opened 15 stores in 1993, and then 28 more in the following year. This rapid expansion plan was a disaster.{{why|date=August 2018}} PepsiCo had invested tens of millions of dollars and quickly slowed expansion, and moved to cut costs. PepsiCo executives had started cutting corners by replacing fresh ingredients with frozen vegetables and cheese, a change Flax and Rosenfield later reversed. In 1997, the private equity firm [Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Company](/source/Bruckmann%2C_Rosser%2C_Sherrill_%26_Company) bought out PepsiCo's two-thirds stake with the intention of taking CPK public in 2000, pushing for expansion to resume. Veteran restaurant executive Fred Hipp was hired to run CPK with an aggressive expansion plan, including 18 new stores in 2002, 22 in 2003, and 28 in 2004. The expansion was to be carried out by former [Brinker International](/source/Brinker_International) Vice President Tom Jenneman, under the title of [chief development officer](/source/chief_development_officer). Flax and Rosenfield remained on the board, but had no day-to-day control. In early 2003, CPK reported a 16% increase in profits, with Hipp telling analysts that CPK was in excellent financial condition. In a March 25, 2003, press release, CPK cut its first-quarter earnings estimates, which were not consistent with the forecast made just a few weeks earlier. Rosenfield investigated the numbers and discovered the positive earnings numbers Hipp had been touting were masking difficult quarters ahead. An emergency board meeting was called, Hipp and Jenneman were fired, and Flax and Rosenfield resumed control of CPK. Flax and Rosenfield served as co-CEO and co-chairmen of CPK from 2003 to 2011. In 2011, CPK was acquired by an affiliate of private equity firm [Golden Gate Capital](/source/Golden_Gate_Capital),{{cite web | title=FAQs | url=http://www.cpk.com/faqs/ | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=2013-01-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118210550/http://www.cpk.com/faqs/ | archive-date=2013-01-18 | url-status=live }}{{cite press release | url=http://info.cpk.com/press_releases/cpki_news_2011_5_25_general_releases.pdf | title=California Pizza Kitchen to Be Acquired by Golden Gate Capital; Stockholders to Receive $18.50 in Cash Per Share | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | date=May 25, 2011 | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001543/http://info.cpk.com/press_releases/cpki_news_2011_5_25_general_releases.pdf | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | url-status=dead }} and G. J. Hart was named president, chief executive officer, and executive chairman. In 2013, CPK started serving [Gluten Intolerance Group](/source/Gluten_Intolerance_Group) (GIG) certified gluten-free pizzas, available across all CPK locations, excluding franchise locations.{{cite press release | url=http://info.cpk.com/press_releases/2013/10.15.13_gluten_free.pdf | title=California Pizza Kitchen Introduces New Line of Gluten-Free Pizzas | author= | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | date=October 16, 2013 | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710200231/http://info.cpk.com/press_releases/2013/10.15.13_gluten_free.pdf | archive-date=July 10, 2014 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news | title=California Pizza Kitchen Launches Gluten-Free Pizzas through the Gluten-Free Food Service Certification Program |first1=Robert|last1=Diamond | url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwfood-wine/article/California-Pizza-Kitchen-Launches-Gluten-Free-Pizzas-through-the-Gluten-Free-Food-Service-Certification-Program-20131028 | website=Broadway World | date=October 28, 2013 | access-date=November 5, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105190043/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwfood-wine/article/California-Pizza-Kitchen-Launches-Gluten-Free-Pizzas-through-the-Gluten-Free-Food-Service-Certification-Program-20131028 | archive-date=November 5, 2013 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://info.cpk.com/documents/gluten_free_menu.pdf | title=Gluten-free Pizzas | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118082831/http://info.cpk.com/documents/gluten_free_menu.pdf | archive-date=January 18, 2016 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news | title=California Pizza Kitchen Guarantees True Gluten-Free Dining Experience with Taste, Too | url=http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2013/10/14/CPK-Gluten-Free-101413.aspx | first=Dale | last=Buss | website=Brand Channel | date=October 14, 2013 | access-date=5 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015132237/http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2013/10/14/CPK-Gluten-Free-101413.aspx | archive-date=15 October 2013 | url-status=live }} In 2014, CPK started rolling out their "Next Chapter" locations, with modernized interiors and updated menus.{{cite web | url=http://www.cpk.com/reimagined | title=Seek the Unique | publisher=California Pizza Kitchen | access-date=January 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150426003333/http://www.cpk.com/reimagined | archive-date=2015-04-26 | url-status=dead }} In 2018, CPK added Cauliflower Pizza Crust to its menu nationwide.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180130005507/en/California-Pizza-Kitchen-Redefines-California-Style-Pizza-Nationwide |title=California Pizza Kitchen Redefines California-Style Pizza with Nationwide Launch of Cauliflower Pizza Crust – A First from a National Restaurant Brand |date=30 January 2018 |access-date=2019-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605182810/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180130005507/en/California-Pizza-Kitchen-Redefines-California-Style-Pizza-Nationwide |archive-date=2019-06-05 |url-status=live }} In July 2020, CPK filed for bankruptcy due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).{{cite news |title=California Pizza Kitchen Latest Chain to File for Bankruptcy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-30/california-pizza-kitchen-is-latest-chain-to-file-for-bankruptcy |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=30 July 2020 |date=July 30, 2020|first1=Luca|last1=Casiraghi|first2=Josh|last2=Saul}} Owner Golden Gate Capital LP had acquired the company in 2011 and lost 100% of its investment. In October 2020, the sale of the company's assets was cancelled because no party submitted a qualified bid by the sale deadline.{{Cite web|last=Coley|first=Ben|date=October 2020|title=Bankrupt California Pizza Kitchen Sees No Bids for its Assets|url=https://www.fsrmagazine.com/chain-restaurants/bankrupt-california-pizza-kitchen-sees-no-bids-its-assets|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-07|website=FSR magazine|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016174435/https://www.fsrmagazine.com/chain-restaurants/bankrupt-california-pizza-kitchen-sees-no-bids-its-assets |archive-date=2020-10-16 }} The company emerged from bankruptcy in November 2020, with significantly less debt,{{Cite web|last=Kelso|first=Alicia|date=November 24, 2020|title=California Pizza Kitchen emerges from bankruptcy with significantly less debt|url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-emerges-from-bankruptcy-with-significantly-less-de/589607/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Restaurant Dive|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124150338/https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-emerges-from-bankruptcy-with-significantly-less-de/589607/ |archive-date=2020-11-24 }} and hired a new CFO, Judd Tirnauer.{{Cite web|last=Kelso|first=Alicia|date=November 24, 2020|title=Emerging from bankruptcy, California Pizza Kitchen hires new CFO|url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-Judd-Tirnauer/592351/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Restaurant Dive|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217152733/https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-Judd-Tirnauer/592351/ |archive-date=2020-12-17 }} In mid-2021, it reportedly hired advisors to refinance its remaining $177 million debt, which would put it in a better position for either a sale or an [IPO](/source/Initial_public_offering).{{Cite web|last=Kelso|first=Alicia|date=July 26, 2021|title=California Pizza Kitchen mulling sale or IPO, Bloomberg reports|url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-mulling-sale-or-ipo-bloomberg-reports/603878/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Restaurant Dive|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726140946/https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-mulling-sale-or-ipo-bloomberg-reports/603878/ |archive-date=2021-07-26 }} CPK was acquired in November 2025 by a consortium led by Consortium Brand Partners and [Eldridge Industries](/source/Eldridge_Industries) for under $300 million.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/restaurant-chain-california-pizza-kitchen-be-acquired-by-investor-group-sources-2025-11-20/ |title=Restaurant chain California Pizza Kitchen to be acquired by investor group, sources say |date=November 20, 2025 |work=Reuters |last=Summerville |first=Abigail}} ==Countries of operation== *[Australia](/source/Australia) *[Canada](/source/Canada) *[Chile](/source/Chile) *[China](/source/China) ([Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong)) *[Costa Rica](/source/Costa_Rica){{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=California Pizza Kitchen inks 2 international deals |url=https://www.pizzamarketplace.com/news/california-pizza-kitchen-inks-2-international-deals/ |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=www.pizzamarketplace.com |language=en}} *[Guam](/source/Guam){{Cite web |url=https://www.postguam.com/island_life/maila_ta_fan_boka/cpk-s-pleasure-island-venue-offers-california-vibe/article_a3fb14c6-4154-11e9-81ec-67aefc0fad0c.html |last1=Swartz|first1=Meghan|title=CPK's Pleasure Island venue offers California vibe |date=28 March 2019 |access-date=2019-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330111927/https://www.postguam.com/island_life/maila_ta_fan_boka/cpk-s-pleasure-island-venue-offers-california-vibe/article_a3fb14c6-4154-11e9-81ec-67aefc0fad0c.html |archive-date=2019-03-30 |url-status=live }} *[India](/source/India) *[Japan](/source/Japan) *[Malaysia](/source/Malaysia) *[Mexico](/source/Mexico) *[Philippines](/source/Philippines) *[Singapore](/source/Singapore) *[South Korea](/source/South_Korea) *[United Arab Emirates](/source/United_Arab_Emirates) *[United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) *[United States](/source/United_States) ==See also== * [List of pizza chains of the United States](/source/List_of_pizza_chains_of_the_United_States) {{Portal bar|Companies}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website}} {{Casual dining chains of the United States}} {{Pizza chains}} {{Nestlé}} {{Food chains in Japan}} {{Authority control}} Category:Pizza chains of the United States Category:Pizza franchises Category:Restaurants established in 1985 Category:Restaurants in Los Angeles Category:Companies based in Beverly Hills, California Category:Restaurants in California Category:Restaurant chains in the United States Category:Private equity portfolio companies Category:Cuisine of the Western United States Category:Pizzerias in the United States Category:Former PepsiCo subsidiaries Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq Category:1985 establishments in California Category:American companies established in 1985 Category:2000 initial public offerings Category:2011 mergers and acquisitions Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 Category:Cuisine of California Category:Announced mergers and acquisitions Category:Pizzerias in California --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [California Pizza Kitchen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Pizza_Kitchen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Pizza_Kitchen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.