California Pizza Kitchen inks franchise deal for Mexico

LOS ANGELES — California Pizza Kitchen signed an agreement with Grupo Calpik, S.A. de C.V. of Mexico to open a minimum of 15 CPK locations throughout Mexico over the next 10 years.

 

According to a news release, the first restaurant is scheduled to open in Mexico City this fall.

 

Saul Kahan, president and chief executive of Grupo Calpik, spearheaded the introduction of the McDonald's brand to Mexico in the mid-1980s. His group currently operates 17 casual dining restaurants throughout Mexico.

 

"Opening CPK restaurants in Mexico provides just what the Mexican market is looking for in terms of casual dining, and we are tremendously excited about this project," Kahan said.

 

Additionally, CPK recently executed an agreement with HMSHost, its partner in 15 CPK ASAP airport locations nationwide, to extend that relationship into 2012. The deal will see new in-line CPK ASAP restaurants kiosks opened in airports and travel plazas throughout HMSHost's portfolio of properties. The first will open in Oakland International Airport in mid-2007.

 

CPK also signed a letter of intent for a development agreement with Iris Co. LTD to open and operate a minimum of 15 restaurants throughout South Korea over the next 10 years.