Exhibit 99.1

      California Pizza Kitchen Reports Preliminary First Quarter Results;
                 Comparable Restaurant Sales Increase of 6.4%;
        Increases Earnings Guidance to $0.22 to $0.23 per Diluted Share

     LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2006--California Pizza Kitchen,
Inc., (Nasdaq:CPKI) announced today that revenues increased 17.6% to $129.7
million for the first quarter ended April 2, 2006 versus $110.3 million in the
first quarter of 2005. Comparable restaurant sales increased approximately 6.4%
compared to 9.3% in the first quarter a year ago.
     During its February 2, 2006 conference call, the Company forecasted a first
quarter comparable restaurant sales increase of approximately 5.0% to 6.0% and
earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.21 to $0.22 including the effects
of stock-based compensation expense and the impact of the October 6, 2005 lease
accounting pronouncement. Based on first quarter 2006 revenues and comparable
restaurant sales results, management is increasing its earnings per diluted
share guidance to $0.22 to $0.23.
     The Company intends to release its first quarter earnings on May 9, 2006 at
approximately 4:00 pm EDT with a conference call to follow on the same day at
approximately 5:00 pm EDT. Management intends to address guidance for the second
quarter 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 pastas, salads, soups and
sandwiches. The average guest check is approximately $12.83. As of April 11,
2006 the Company operates, licenses or franchises 190 restaurants, of which 159
are company-owned and 31 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 release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements include projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items,
statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future
operations, statements concerning proposed new products or developments,
statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, statements of
belief and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.
Forward-looking statements may include the words "may," "will," "estimate,"
"intend," "continue," "believe," "expect," "anticipate" and similar words.
     Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees
of future performance and, therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on
them. Our actual results may and will likely 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
changing consumer preferences and demands, the execution of our expansion
strategy, the continued availability of qualified employees and our management
team, the maintenance of reasonable food and supply costs, our relationships
with our distributors and numerous other matters discussed in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. California Pizza Kitchen
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.
              310-342-5000
              Sarah Grover (media)
              Sue Collyns (investors)