# California Pizza Kitchen business developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/california-pizza-kitchen-business-developments
> Updated: 2026-08-21T13:30:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has undergone significant shifts in business strategy and operational focus. Co-founder Rick Rosenfield recently criticized the California business climate, citing high costs, increased bureaucracy, and a $20-per-hour fast-food minimum wage as factors that make the state “less business-friendly” compared to Florida.

In a move toward technological expansion, CPK announced a partnership with T-ROC Global to deploy up to 1,000 automated retail machines across the United States over the next three years. These kiosks, which utilize Turbo-chef technology to deliver menu items in approximately 90 seconds, are intended for high-traffic locations such as airports, hospitals, and universities where traditional restaurant footprints are impractical.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: California Pizza Kitchen and White Castle expand via automated retail

California Pizza Kitchen and White Castle are expanding their reach through new automated retail formats, with CPK planning 1,000 kiosks nationwide via a partnership with T-ROC Global.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-pizza-kitchen-and-white-castle-expand-via-automated-retail

### 2026-07-23: Rick Rosenfield says California Pizza Kitchen would launch as ‘Florida Pizza Kitchen’

Co‑founder Rick Rosenfield says California Pizza Kitchen would be launched in Florida today, citing higher costs, new regulations and a $20 minimum wage as reasons California is now less business‑friendly.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rick-rosenfield-says-california-pizza-kitchen-would-launch-as-florida-pizza-kitchen

---
Cite as: California Pizza Kitchen business developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/california-pizza-kitchen-business-developments