California Pizza Kitchen fires up new franchise program

In a move designed to stimulate further growth, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) said it has launched an expanded domestic franchising program.

The new strategy includes select U.S. markets where CPK already has an established presence along with markets it has yet to enter.

An initial franchise agreement is underway with Sundine LLC, which is purchasing three CPK restaurants in Las Vegas. The new plan calls for Sundine, based in the Las Vegas market, to open six more locations in Nevada an Utah over the next several years.

Under the new CPK franchise plan, the company will partner with select businesses who have a proven track record within the industry. This includes experienced multi-unit and multi-brand operators.

“This is a significant moment in CPK’s growth strategy as we officially welcome our first major partner in the domestic business,” said Michael Beacham, president of California Pizza Kitchen. “Aligning with top-tier operators like Sundine, in key markets outside of California, is not just about building new restaurants – it’s about ensuring the continued long-term equity of our brand and quality of our guest experience.”

Sundine is no novice to operating restaurants and fast food locations. The company already oversees more than 85 units including Del Taco and Jack in the Box locations.

“We are honored to become true partners with California Pizza Kitchen,” said Sanjiv Bhagat, franchise partner and CEO of Sundine, LLC. “Our family has been loyally dining at CPK for as long as I can remember, and as restaurant owners, we are fully confident in the continued growth of this brand.”

Founded in 1985 in Beverly Hills, California, and based in Costa Mesa, CPK operates close to 200 restaurants across the United States and 11 countries and U.S. territories.

This next step in the company’s evolution looks to provide new franchisees with the tools and resources, including cutting-edge technology, marketing, training, and operational support.

CPK has been offering franchise opportunities to overseas businesses for a number of years. In February 2023, CPK announced the opening of two new franchised locations at the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica. A year prior, multiple franchise locations were opened in India.