California Pizza Kitchen Announces Return to North County with Grand Opening of Encinitas Restaurant

CPK’s newest location marks the brand’s ongoing growth, continued investment in its home state, and extension of its 30-year legacy in this coastal San Diego community

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the iconic restaurant brand that revolutionized pizza with California inspiration, is celebrating the grand opening of its newest restaurant at Encinitas Village Square (1476 Encinitas Blvd) in Encinitas, CA. The opening marks CPK’s anticipated return to the North County of San Diego, a community it previously served for more than three decades with a beloved restaurant in Solana Beach. Re-opening in this coastal community is part of the company’s broader, multi-faceted expansion plan through corporate-owned restaurants, strategic franchising partnerships, and global licensing.

“It’s great to be back!” said Jeff Warne, Chairman and CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. “Our opening of CPK Encinitas is not just another new restaurant, it’s a re-commitment to the vibrant North County community that supported us for 30 years, has eagerly awaited our return, and shares our passion for creativity, connection, and California living.”

With roughly 4,000 square feet, CPK’s newest restaurant offers an airy yet intimate setting with seating for 121 guests across its dining room, spacious patio and centerpiece full-service bar. Taking full advantage of Southern California’s year-round sunshine, the new location features large garage doors that seamlessly connect its indoor and outdoor spaces, perfect for dining al fresco or enjoying one of CPK’s signature pizzas, salads or handcrafted cocktails. In keeping with CPK’s elevated yet casual design, the space combines warm wood tones, organic patterned walls, and contemporary lighting to create an atmosphere that is both stylish and welcoming, reflecting the laid-back, coastal character of the local community.

The Encinitas restaurant joins CPK’s three existing San Diego County locations at Otay, Fashion Valley Mall, and Carmel Mountain, expanding its reach across the region and reaffirming the brand’s commitment to its Southern California roots.

Giving Back to the Community

In celebration of the Encinitas opening, CPK is proud to partner with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to help fight hunger across the region. From Monday, November 24 to Tuesday, November 25, CPK will donate 20% of food and beverage sales from all four San Diego locations, including the new Encinitas restaurant, when guests present a special flyer at the time of purchase.

The partnership reflects CPK’s long-standing commitment to supporting local communities and ensuring that every meal served contributes to something meaningful. Guests can find full details on participating locations, dates, and to access the flyer by visiting https://www.cpk.com/encinitas/sandiegofoodbank.

For more information, visit www.cpk.com and follow @cpk on Instagram, @calpizzakitchen on TikTok or @calpizzakitchen on X.

About California Pizza Kitchen

Founded in 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) revolutionized casual dining with its first restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, introducing the world to innovative, California-inspired pizza at scale. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary year, CPK is a beloved global brand, serving creative California cuisine in restaurants spanning 25 U.S. states along with nine countries and U.S. territories. Additionally, the CPK brand has been a premium leader in the U.S. frozen pizza grocery aisle for more than 25 years while more recently expanding to branded salad dressings and noodle sauces. Today, CPK continues to innovate and expand in casual dining, retail products, and non-traditional food service channels, providing more access to its fresh, imaginative twist on familiar foods that consumers continue to crave.