California Pizza Kitchen was founded on March 27, 1985. The founders of this pizza restaurant are the attorneys, Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax. They are known for making hearth-baked pizzas that uniquely combine international flavors. Beyond their pizza selections, they also serve appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and pastas made to order. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=122300&p=irol-homeprofile The restaurant is full service. However, they claim to provide faster service than their competition by offering a limited selection of their specialty items so that they can prepare meals quicker. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=122300&p=irol-homeprofile

The company also runs a catering service that covers a vast array of price ranges. They offer professionally packaged meals that can be purchased in individual containers or as large combination platters. This service also comes with a catering manager that can organize the event and make specialized menus.http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=122300&p=irol-homeprofile

This cutting edge restaurant hired the former owner, chef Ed LaDou, of the famed Los Angeles restaurant Spago in 1985.http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-09-26/dining/pizza-smackdown/ With his expertise and trendy cuisine, he helped the company grow in popularity across California. Now, California Pizza Kitchen has expanded to have over 200 restaurants across the United States, Asia and Mexico.http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=122300&p=irol-homeprofile

According to SF Weekly Dining, California Pizza Kitchen is not just your average, cookie cutter chain restaurant. They do have some innovative dishes and a certain flair with even mundane offerings such as a Mediterranean salad. They went on to say the following about the popular pizza business: "... CPK is like Starbucks or Quizno's. If you're stuck in some culinary deprived place with nothing but restaurant chains, you'd be lucky to find one. Here in San Francisco, there are better choices."http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-09-26/dining/pizza-smackdown/