California Pizza Kitchen to deploy 1,000-plus automated pizza kiosks
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is going big in a non-traditional format.
The restaurant chain is partnering with T-Roc Global to implement and operate up to 1,000 CPK automated retail machines nationwide over the next three years. The kiosks will bring the brand to high-traffic locations such as airports, universities, hospitals, hotels, office complexes and more where traditional dining options may be lacking.
T-Roc will leverage its nationwide infrastructure, including 32 warehouses, a dedicated van fleet and thousands of technicians, to deploy, replenish, maintain and support CPK automated retail machines across the country. The rollout will initially focus on clusters of at least 20 units across 30 major U.S. markets.
CPK currently has automated retail machines operating at airports in Boston, Atlanta, Dallas and Dayton, Ohio, with another 15 activated by later this year at several universities.
“For decades, CPK has been dedicated to meeting consumers wherever they are, whether through our global restaurant network, airport and non-traditional locations, off-site events, or the local grocery store where we’ve been a leading premium pizza brand for 25 years,” said Michael Beacham, president of California Pizza Kitchen Global. “Our automated retail strategy, now accelerated through a partnership with T-Roc, introduces CPK to entirely new occasions and venues where consumers desire quality food on the go.”
Leveraging “Turbo-chef” powered cooking, data-driven intelligence and touch-screen technology, users can create an on-demand CPK pizza in as little as 90 seconds.
In addition to pizza, CPK and T-Roc plan to offer a selection of other menu favorites, including Kung Pao and Bolognese Spaghetti, Mac ‘N’ Cheese (in classic, BBQ Chicken and Burnt Ends varieties) and CPK's signature Butter Cake.
“CPK is exactly the kind of iconic consumer brand that can redefine what automated retail can be,” said Brett Beveridge, CEO and Founder of T-Roc Global. “Consumers increasingly expect their favorite brands to meet them where they are, and technology is making that possible in entirely new ways. By combining CPK’s brand, food and loyal following with T-Roc’s nationwide infrastructure and technology capabilities, we have an opportunity to build a new national distribution channel at a meaningful scale.”
[READ MORE: Consortium Brand Partners in group to acquire California Pizza Kitchen]
Founded in 1985 in Beverly Hills, Calif., California Pizza Kitchen has a global footprint that includes more than 120 restaurants in 10 countries. It also has a consumer packaged goods business featuring frozen pizzas and other products available in more than 10,000 major grocery retailers nationwide and across the globe.
