California Pizza Kitchen’s Chairman of the Board to Step Down

Michael O’Donnell resigns from Board after helping company navigate post restructuring period

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the creator of California-style pizza, today announced that Board Chairman Michael O’Donnell will be stepping down from the company’s Board of Directors to spend more time on other business interests. O’Donnell, the former Chairman & CEO of Ruth’s Hospital Group Inc., has served on the company’s Board of Directors since November 2020 and was named Chairman in December 2021. O’Donnell joined the board to help the company navigate its post restructuring period and has been instrumental in resetting the brand’s growth vision.

“Since joining the board, Michael, with his deep leadership and restaurant category expertise, has provided the team with invaluable insights that have helped position the company for long term growth,” said CPK CEO, Jeff Warne. “We are stronger in nearly every area of the business due to Mike’s impactful leadership. On behalf of our board and senior management team, we thank Michael for his contributions to California Pizza Kitchen”.

“It’s been a great honor to help guide this incredible brand filled with so many passionate and talented people,” said Michael O’Donnell. “I’m excited to see the direction that CPK is heading and know that the brand is in very capable hands. I want to thank my fellow directors and shareholders and wish the company nothing but success as it accelerates its strategic growth plans”.

About California Pizza Kitchen
In 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) opened its first restaurant in Beverly Hills and introduced diners to gourmet California inspired pizza. With a passion for combining fresh, seasonal ingredients with flavor inspirations from around the world, today CPK is a global brand serving creative California cuisine in more than 180 restaurants across 10 countries and U.S. territories. From its innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, Thai Chicken, and California Club, to inventive salads, and unique pasta dishes that combine the old world with the new, CPK does everything with an imaginative California-inspired twist that guests love.