CONTINUE TO SITE »
or wait 15 seconds

Franchising

California Pizza Kitchen enters 1st major domestic franchise deal

Photo: California Pizza Kitchen

November 12, 2024

California Pizza Kitchen has launched its domestic franchising program. The brand is franchising in select U.S. markets, both new and existing. CPK has inked its first partnership agreement under the program with multi-unit operator Sundine LLC, according to a press release.

Under the agreement, Sundine will acquire three CPS locations in its home market of Las Vegas, with plans to opens six more units across Nevada and Utah.

"This is a significant moment in CPK's growth strategy as we officially welcome our first major partner in the domestic business," Michael Beacham, president at California Pizza Kitchen, said in the press release. "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. With Sunrise's expertise and personal passion for CPK, they will certainly set the bar high for future partnerships."

Sundine operates more than 85 restaurant and retain units, including brands like Del Taco and Jack in the Box.

"We are honored to become true partners with California Pizza Kitchen," Sanjiv Bhagat, franchise partner and CEO of Sundine, said in the press release. "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."

In addition to Nevada and Utah, CPK is actively engaged with potential partners for markets such as Florida, the Mid-Atlantic region and along the East Coast, among others. The brand aims to select three to four qualified partners per year, in parallel with growing company owned locations, to reach its overall domestic expansion goals.

California Pizza Kitchen was founded in 1985 and had restaurants in 27 states and nine countries and U.S. territories.




©2025 Networld Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
b'S1-NEW'