California Pizza Kitchen
Food & Beverage · Full-Service Restaurants
- Active units
- 14
- Royalty
- 5.0%
Franchised, year-end 2025
of weekly Net Sales
About California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a popular American restaurant chain specializing in creative pizzas and unique California-style cuisine. Founded in 1985 by attorneys Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield in Beverly Hills, California, CPK has become one of the leading players in the casual dining industry. CPK's headquarters are located in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California. The headquarters oversee the company's operations and provide strategic direction for its global expansion. The company offers a diverse menu that goes beyond traditional pizza options. CPK's signature pizzas feature unconventional toppings like barbecue chicken, Thai curry, and Jamaican jerk chicken. In addition to pizzas, CPK offers a wide range of dishes such as pasta, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. They also provide a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options. CPK has expanded globally with notable subsidiaries and joint ventures, including locations in Asia, the Middle East, and Mexico. The company has formed partnerships with local companies to adapt its menu to suit the tastes and preferences of different countries. For instance, in Japan, CPK collaborated with the Suntory beverage company to develop unique flavors and beverages. In terms of market position, CPK is known for its distinctive offerings and innovative flavor combinations. However, the company faces strong competition from other pizza chains and casual dining establishments. CPK's strong brand image and commitment to quality ingredients contribute to its success in the market. Over the years, CPK has made significant achievements and introduced notable changes to its strategy. In 2011, CPK was acquired by an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, a private equity firm. This acquisition allowed CPK to invest in technology, improve menu offerings, and expand its footprint. As of the latest updates, CPK continues to evolve its menu and adapt to changing consumer preferences. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CPK has expanded its takeout and delivery services to meet the increased demand for contactless dining options. The company remains committed to providing delicious and innovative California-inspired dishes to its customers worldwide.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$50k
- Brand fund
1.0% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
2.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
500 – 6,500 sq ft
- Development Agreement - Development Fee
$25k
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2025, 2026.
Growth
- Total locations14
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings3
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate16.7%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR-3.4%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio3.0×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$3.5M
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate5.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
Create your free Glidepath account to access full brand information.
Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.