California Pizza Kitchen is adding a local flavor to its entire chain by making each restaurant reflect its surroundings, said the company’s CEO G.J. Hart. ‘It’s all about trying to make a genuine connection in the community that we are in and with the guests that would dine with us,’ said Hart. ‘Being part of that community, emulating part of what is special about that community, is important to us. It’s important to us to make that connection. It’s not just about California. It’s about that community.’ Of the 280 CPK restaurants worldwide, 80 will feature the new changes this year. To date, more than 20 pilot restaurants have been transformed including the restaurant’s first ever location on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. The company said the total conversion will be completed by the end of next year. CPK, which is owned by private equity shop Golden Gate Capital, is promising menu changes as well, with new menu options in every category showcasing seasonally inspired ingredients. And while pizza is literally the company’s middle name, Hart stresses the fact that pizza only makes up a third of the menu and ‘ingredients are where it’s at’ especially in today’s polished casual marketplace. Aside from revitalizing its domestic restaurants, Hart said the company is also growing internationally.
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