CPK co-founder reveals what he believes sent iconic pizza chain into decline

Key Points:

• California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), founded in 1985 by former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, helped popularize California-style pizza with its Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and casual dining concept, growing from a single Beverly Hills location to over 120 restaurants in 10 countries.
• The founders employed a strategic approach by opening restaurants in upscale shopping malls, pioneering a polished casual dining experience in an era dominated by fast food, which contributed to CPK's national and international expansion.
• After expanding to over 200 locations, CPK was acquired by private equity firm Golden Gate Capital in 2011 for $470 million, but the chain faced financial difficulties and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, a situation Rosenfield attributes to cultural damage under the new ownership.
• CPK emerged from bankruptcy later in 2020 and was acquired by Consortium Brand Partners in December 2025 for just under $300 million; Rosenfield expressed optimism about the brand's future and praised the new owners' commitment to restoring and elevating CPK.
• Reflecting on CPK's legacy, Rosenfield highlighted the brand's success in creating a multi-generational dining experience and maintaining consistent food quality, despite past challenges with ownership and culture.