California Pizza Kitchen

In 1985, Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax opened the first California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) in Beverly Hills, California. Rosenfield and Flax created unusual pizzas with toppings such as BBQ Chicken, which differed greatly from traditional Italian American pizza. Its “lite” toppings were attractive to health-conscious consumers. The CPK also serves pasta, salads, sandwiches, soups, and desserts. As of 2011, there were two hundred CPK full-service restaurants. In addition, the company created smaller ASAP outlets, which offer a pared-down menu in a fast-food setting. CPK pizzas are also available frozen in many supermarkets. CPK does not franchise in the United States, but it does internationally. The CPK has released two cookbooks; the profits generated are given to charities.