California Pizza Kitchen Doubles Down on Global Brand Growth with CPG Category Expansion and New International Markets

COSTA MESA, Calif., & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the iconic restaurant brand that revolutionized pizza, today announced several major expansions to its global consumer packaged goods business, including new product categories in the United States, international expansion with long-time partner Nestlé, and new retail distribution in Asia. These milestones reflect the brand’s accelerated growth ambitions under its new ownership.

Domestically, CPK will expand its frozen offerings beyond signature pizzas for the first time since 1999 through a new partnership to develop and offer both appetizers and entrees at grocery stores, inspired by its restaurant menu. The new products, currently in early-stage culinary development, are expected to begin rolling out in early 2027 in grocery stores nationwide. The expansion builds on CPK’s decades-long leadership in the premium frozen pizza category and reflects growing consumer demand for restaurant-branded offerings at retail.

This past December, CPK was acquired by an investor group led by Consortium Brand Partners, which has stated that CPG expansion is part of a larger growth vision for the brand.

“Expanding CPK’s global licensing business was a major part of our investment strategy,” said Cory M. Baker, Founder & Managing Partner of Consortium. “We see significant opportunities to leverage CPK’s brand equity and cultural relevance to introduce innovative products that meet consumers wherever they shop or dine.”

In addition to its domestic innovation pipeline, CPK has recently expanded its long-standing partnership with Nestlé to market frozen pizzas throughout Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Distribution is expected to begin later this quarter, with a phased retail expansion that will bring CPK frozen products to grocery shelves by mid-year in select markets.

“Our retail business has succeeded by translating the flavors and creativity that guests love in our restaurants into distinctive, quality products they can enjoy at home,” said Michael Beacham, President of CPK Global. “As we evolve the portfolio beyond pizza and expand into new global markets, we’re working with world-class partners to ensure product quality, consistency and thoughtful market entry. This is about scaling the brand in a way that preserves what makes CPK distinctive while accelerating growth.”

“We’re proud to expand our collaboration with California Pizza Kitchen and introduce its distinctive flavors to additional markets,” said Holly Honroth, Senior Brand Manager, Nestlé. “CPK has built strong global brand recognition, and we see a meaningful opportunity to grow the frozen pizza portfolio across Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Further strengthening its global footprint, CPK will expand retail distribution across Asia following its frozen pizza launch in Taiwan last year. The brand’s iconic BBQ Chicken Pizza is currently available at all Costco Warehouses in the market, with additional SKUs expected to follow. CPK, alongside its regional partner, is preparing to enter Japan in the coming months, followed by expansion into the Shanghai region of mainland China.

With more than 25 years of leadership in the premium frozen pizza category, CPK’s global consumer products business remains a key pillar of its long-term global growth strategy, anchored on owned and franchised restaurants, non-traditional food service locations and branded retail products.

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. Recently celebrating its 40th anniversary year, CPK today is 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 also 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.