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by Rick Rosenfield (Author)
The California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza is a candid business memoir that traces the unlikely journey from federal courtrooms to the creation of one of the most influential brands in modern casual dining.
Before co-founding California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Rick Rosenfield built his career as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, handling cases before the US Supreme Court, prosecuting organized crime, and representing high-profile clients. In 1985, Rosenfield and his longtime partner and fellow former federal prosecutor, Larry Flax, made the radical decision to leave the law field and open a pizza restaurant in Beverly Hills. Their ambition was not simply to open a restaurant, but to rethink what pizza could be, where it could be eaten, and who it could be for.
What followed was the moment California-style pizza moved into the mainstream--with its unexpected ingredients, open kitchens, and a relaxed yet elevated dining experience--and the rapid growth of CPK from a single location into a global brand. Along the way, Rosenfield and Flax navigated skeptical bankers, explosive expansion, partnerships with major corporations, and the pressures and consequences of private equity ownership.
More than a growth story, this book reveals the human realities of entrepreneurship: partnership dynamics, culture under pressure, betrayal and resilience, and the constant tension between creativity and control. Central to CPK's success was the deliberate creation of a people-first culture, embodied in the ROCK values--Respect, Opportunity, Communication, and Kindness--and the belief that culture, not product alone, drives enduring success.
Written in a direct, personal voice, The California Pizza Kitchen Story is both a memoir and a practical guide, offering lessons in leadership, reinvention, and how vision and values can turn an unconventional idea into a lasting brand.
