California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen Logo

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is an American casual dining restaurant chain that specializes in California-style pizza. The company was founded in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax in Beverly Hills, California. CPK is known for its innovative and non-traditional pizzas, such as the BBQ Chicken Pizza, which has become one of its signature dishes.

History[edit | edit source]

California Pizza Kitchen was established in 1985 by Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, who were both former federal prosecutors. The first restaurant opened in Beverly Hills, California, and quickly gained popularity for its unique take on pizza. The success of the initial location led to rapid expansion, and by the early 1990s, CPK had opened multiple locations across the United States.

In 1992, CPK went public and continued to grow, expanding its menu to include a variety of pastas, salads, soups, and sandwiches. The company also began to offer a line of frozen pizzas, which are available in grocery stores nationwide.

Menu[edit | edit source]

California Pizza Kitchen is best known for its California-style pizza, which features a thin crust and a variety of innovative toppings. Some of the most popular pizzas include:

BBQ Chicken Pizza
Thai Chicken Pizza
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pizza
Wild Mushroom Pizza

In addition to pizza, CPK's menu includes a wide range of other items, such as:

Locations[edit | edit source]

As of 2023, California Pizza Kitchen operates over 200 locations in the United States and internationally. The company has a presence in several countries, including Mexico, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

Corporate Structure[edit | edit source]

California Pizza Kitchen is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company has undergone several ownership changes over the years. In 2011, CPK was acquired by Golden Gate Capital, a private equity firm. In 2020, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic but emerged from bankruptcy later that year.