California Pizza Kitchen will open its first-ever Canadian location in Edmonton, AB on August 1.
This marks the first entry into Canada for the California-style pizza brand, which has nearly 200 restaurants in eight countries and U.S. territories. The opening is part of the brand’s latest efforts to strategically expand across target markets throughout North America.
Leading the expansion are CPK Alberta CEO and experienced restaurant franchisor Naheed Shariff and his mother Samira, a CPK Edmonton franchisee with four decades of experience. The Shariffs have already helped successful brands grow in Alberta.
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“We were first introduced to California Pizza Kitchen in the mid-1990s and were immediately inspired by its culture and innovation. We’re honoured and excited to bring this iconic, forward-thinking brand to Canada for the first time, while simultaneously attributing to job creation here in Alberta,” said Naheed Shariff.
The new location will provide guests with seasonal menus and ingredients featuring flavour inspirations from around the world, resulting in California Pizza Kitchen’s hand-tossed pizzas, pasta, desserts, and beverage program.
Known for its handmade, fresh-forward menu, the brand’s menu will include All Day Breakfast featuring the Beverly Hills Breakfast Sandwich, Dynamite Shrimp, Shanghai Power Bowl, California Tacos with grilled lime chicken or crispy fish, its California Pizza Kitchen Classics like The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and Thai Crunch Salad, and more.
As part of its commitment to give back to the community it serves, California Pizza Kitchen Edmonton has partnered with the Cross Cancer Institute to help raise funds for residents throughout Alberta who are battling cancer.
California Pizza Kitchen provides franchisees flexibility with customizable menus, design layouts, and multiple daypart offerings so that each location can individually align with consumer needs and thrive within their market. The brand is in the middle of an “aggressive” expansion in markets throughout the U.S.
