California Pizza Kitchen names first round of managing partners

Business Wire, Nov 20, 1996

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1996--PepsiCo and CPK co-founders Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax aren't the only ones that own a piece of the action at CPK.

Last week, CPK welcomed its first group of partner managers at a celebration dinner held at the posh Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

"We're excited to roll out this program as it will help us build a growing base of `best-managed' restaurants," said CPK's Vice President of Operations Rick DeMarco. "The introduction of this program marks another milestone for CPK. By offering this option to our managers, there's enormous potential for success and opportunity," he added.

The majority of CPK's partner managers have been with the company for a minimum of three years or longer, reflecting the chain's philosophy to promote from within and emphasizing the company's attitude toward creating an environment that provides long-term career stability.

- Tim Aquino is a nine-year veteran of CPK and is partner

manager at the chain's Post Oak location in Houston

- Mark Dion began his career as an assistant manager at CPK in

October 1990. He is partner manager at the Tarzana, Calif.

location

- Mike Macias, who is partner manager at the Mission Viejo,

Calif. location is a six-year veteran of CPK

- Greg Adams has been with CPK since 1988 when he started as a

kitchen manager. He is partner manager of the chain's La

Jolla, Calif. location

- Kris Klinger started at CPK in August 1993 as an assistant

general manager. He is partner manager at the Walnut Creek,

Calif. location

- Phil Mastrioanni, who is partner manager at the Natick, Mass.

location, has been with CPK since 1994 when he started as an

assistant general manager

- Steve Diaz started with CPK three years ago and is partner

manager in Sacramento, Calif.

- Kevin Brendt who is partner manager in San Mateo, Calif. has

been with the company for three years

- Dan Burrell, partner manager at the Studio City, Calif.

location has been with CPK for three years

- Keith Sulesky started at CPK in 1988, has worked in various

locations, most recently Newport Beach, Calif., where he is

partner manager

- Pat Ellis started with CPK in 1991 and is partner manager at

the Lenox Square location in Atlanta

CPK will announce more partner managers in the coming months.

California Pizza Kitchen was founded in 1985 by former attorneys Rosenfield and Flax. Known for great food and service, CPK is one of the hottest restaurant concepts in the industry. In May 1992, PepsiCo invested a substantial equity interest in CPK. In addition to introducing the new partner-manager program, CPK recently unveiled new menu items and a new packaging and menu design. There are currently 80 locations nationwide.

CONTACT: California Pizza Kitchen

Sarah Goldsmith, 310/342-4656

Roxanne Ruben, 310/342-4618