California Pizza Kitchen is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a series of promotions, returning menu items and a collaboration with actor and former employee actress Busy Philipps.
The actress began working as a hostess at California Pizza Kitchen in Arizona in high school − around 16 or 17 − and has had a soft spot for the chain ever since her younger years growing up in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale.
“I’ve been a huge fan of CPK ever since I worked there as a hostess back in the day, so of course I was thrilled to help them celebrate this incredible anniversary,” Philipps said in a statement. “My job was to remind CPK that at 40 years old, there’s no need for reinvention. Their legacy and continued leadership of creating incredible flavors and lasting memories is exactly what will keep people of all ages loving the brand for many years to come.”
In honor of its 40th anniversary, CPK is reintroducing select menu items from its past, chosen by guests, team members, executive chef Paul Pszybylski and company founders Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax.
The seasonal offerings, available through May 19, include:
- Rosemary Roasted Potato & Grilled Chicken Pizza – Lemon cream sauce, grilled chicken, roasted Yukon gold potatoes, mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh rosemary and wild Greek oregano.
- Chicken Milanese – Panko-crusted chicken breast with arugula, housemade checca, Parmesan and lemon, with an optional tomato basil sauce.
- Waldorf Chicken Salad – A mix of field greens, grilled chicken, red grapes, Granny Smith apples, celery, candied walnuts and Gorgonzola, with Dijon balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing.
- Tortilla Spring Rolls – Hand-rolled flour tortillas stuffed with Baja Chicken, Thai Chicken or Mediterranean fillings, baked in CPK’s pizza oven.
CPK’s annual Thank You Card promotion is also back for the anniversary. The promotion offers a prize to every adult guest who dines in or orders takeout or delivery through May 11.
Prizes range from discounts on future meals to cash awards of up to $40,000.
New this year, CPK is introducing a digital second-chance giveaway. By scanning a QR code on their Thank You Card, guests can join CPK Rewards for an instant $5 bonus and a chance to win a five-day cruise.
Guests can reveal their prizes at any full-service CPK location between March 2 and June 8.
More information is available at www.cpk.com/thankyou/2025.
