CPK Joins Crowd in Offering Its Fare in Stores

California Pizza Kitchen is joining the parade of restaurants selling its fare through grocery stores. The Los Angeles-based chain with 80 restaurants in 22 states has signed a licensing agreement with Kraft Foods Inc., which will produce frozen pizzas for sale in supermarkets. The premium pizza line, including the restaurant’s signature BBQ Chicken and Thai Chicken dishes, will make its debut during the fourth quarter, according to Kraft. CPK joins other California-based firms, such as Irvine-based Claim Jumper, Wolfgang Puck Food Co. in Santa Monica and Calabasas-based Cheesecake Factory Inc., which are selling restaurant menu items in supermarkets.