California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPKI) announced today that revenues decreased 3.2% to $170.9 million for the second quarter ended June 28, 2009 versus $176.6 million in the second quarter ended June 29, 2008. Full service comparable restaurant sales decreased approximately 6.5% compared to a 1.5% increase in the second quarter last year.

During its May 7, 2009 conference call, the Company forecasted comparable restaurant sales of negative 5.5% to negative 6.5% and second quarter earnings in the range of $0.18-$0.20 per diluted share. Based on second quarter results and the Company’s continued focus on operating efficiencies, management is increasing its earnings guidance range to $0.24-$0.25 per diluted share.

Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., stated, “Our preliminary second quarter results and increased earnings guidance reflect the progress we’ve made with regard to managing costs and driving operating efficiencies as our industry continues to face significant pressure on the revenue line. For the period, our Thank You Card promotion was successful and we’re pleased that new restaurant openings are experiencing strong weekly sales averages. We look forward to several new, creative sales initiatives which are underway for the third quarter and remain cautiously optimistic as we enter a period where comparable restaurant sales ease.”

In addition, the Company reduced its outstanding debt by $17.0 million during the second quarter to a $50.0 million balance at quarter end.

During the second quarter, the Company added three full service restaurants in Norcross, Georgia, and Sacramento and Valencia, California. In addition, one of the Company's franchise partners opened a full service restaurant in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Company intends to release its second quarter earnings on August 6, 2009 at approximately 4:00 pm ET with a conference call to follow on the same day at approximately 4:30 pm ET. A webcast of the conference call will be accessible at www.cpk.com.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., founded in 1985, is a leading casual dining chain. 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, appetizers and sandwiches. The average guest check is approximately $14.30. As of July 8, 2009 the Company operates, licenses or franchises 255 locations, of which 208 are company-owned and 47 operate under franchise or license agreements.