California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) (NASDAQ:CPKI), home to the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts, today announced the opening of the first company-owned and operated restaurant in Shanghai, China. The Company has opened its first international office that will assist CPK franchise partners in addition to supporting the company growth in China. Both initiatives are part of a long-term expansion strategy to broaden the Company’s presence in Asia.
The new California Pizza Kitchen is located in the Sinan Mansions’ commercial area of the LuWan District. Situated in the heart of Shanghai’s former French Concession, the LuWan District is the city’s latest entertainment and lifestyle hub. The new restaurant overlooks the lush greenery of Fuxing Park, the former French Park, and is two blocks from the retail, residential and entertainment hubs of Huaihai Road and Xintiandi.
“California Pizza Kitchen has been well received internationally, and we see a great opportunity to further expand the brand in one of the most robust economies in the world,” said Rick Rosenfield, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. “The presence of Company-owned restaurants and an international office will allow us to provide better support for our franchise partners in India, Malaysia, Dubai, and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.”
Sophistically decorated with a new modernistic design for the China market, the restaurant will open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The open-exhibition kitchen allows guests to watch many of California Pizza Kitchen’s popular innovations prepared in addition to several new dishes created to suit local tastes such as Red Curry Duck Pizza and Spicy Voodoo Vodka Fettuccine.
“We have always been known for our globally-inspired menu items,” said Larry Flax, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. “We are very excited about the new items we have created for the Shanghai menu and we look forward to introducing some of these items on our U.S. menu in the future.”