California Pizza Kitchen Reports Preliminary Second Quarter Results;
         Comparable Store Sales Increase 8.6%; Earnings Guidance Raised
                        to $0.32 per Fully Diluted Share


    LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 2005--California Pizza
Kitchen, Inc., (Nasdaq:CPKI) announced today that revenues increased
16.5% to $119.4 million for the second quarter ended July 3, 2005
versus $102.5 million in the second quarter of 2004. Comparable store
sales increased approximately 8.6% compared to 7.3% in the second
quarter a year ago.
    On its April 28, 2005 conference call, the Company forecasted a
second quarter comparable store sales increase of approximately 5.0%
to 6.0% and earnings per fully diluted share in the range of $0.26 to
$0.28. Based on the aforementioned results, however, management is now
comfortable increasing its estimated earnings per fully diluted share
to $0.32.
    According to the Company, there are three primary factors
affecting its revised guidance for the second quarter. First, the
Company achieved strong comparable store sales in excess of its
original forecast driven by continued guest count momentum. Second,
the new Point of Sale (POS) system allows for the launch of an
electronic gift card program; and, as part of the transition from
paper gift certificates to electronic gift cards, management expects
to realize one time "other income" of $0.04 per diluted share from
previously unredeemed paper gift certificates. Third, the accelerated
and now concluded POS implementation is estimated to have a one time
effect on second quarter results and reduced earnings by approximately
$0.03 per diluted share as restaurant operators transitioned to a new
operating system. The Company noted that with the POS system
implementation now complete, it has concluded the final series of
major tactical initiatives previously announced since the return of
co-CEO's Flax and Rosenfield.
    The Company intends to release its second quarter earnings on July
28, 2005 at approximately 4:00 pm EDT with a conference call to follow
at approximately 5:00 pm EDT. Management will specifically address
guidance for the third quarter and full year at that time. A webcast
of the conference call can be accessed at www.cpk.com.
    California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., founded in 1985, is a leading
casual dining chain in the premium pizza segment. The Company's full
service restaurants feature an imaginative line of hearth-baked
pizzas, including the original BBQ Chicken Pizza, and a broad
selection of distinctive appetizers, pastas, salads, soups and
sandwiches. The average guest check is approximately $12.80. As of
July 12, 2005 the company operates, licenses or franchises 182
restaurants of which 150 are company-owned and 32 operate under
franchise or license agreements. The Company also has a licensing
arrangement with Kraft Pizza Company which manufactures and
distributes a line of California Pizza Kitchen premium frozen pizzas.
    California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. can be found on the internet at
www.cpk.com.

    This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and, therefore, undue reliance should
not be placed on them. Forward-looking statements can be affected by
inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties.
Our actual results may differ materially from the expectations
referred to herein. Among the key factors that may have a direct
bearing on our operating results, performance and financial condition
are the execution of our expansion strategy, the continued
availability of qualified employees, the maintenance of reasonable
food and supply costs and numerous other matters discussed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or
alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.


    CONTACT: California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.
             Sarah Grover (media) or Sue Collyns (investors)
             310-342-5000