This north Fresno pizza chain restaurant has closed, blaming the coronavirus pandemic
California Pizza Kitchen in Fresno has closed.
The popular restaurant on north Blackstone emailed its customers Wednesday evening with the news.
“We have loved serving the community in Fresno and want to thank you for your patronage. Our location in the Villaggio Shopping Center has closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related lease challenges with our landlords.”
The business filed for bankruptcy on July 30 and is closing unprofitable locations.
Before the closures, the Los Angeles-based chain had 200 restaurants in eight countries.
The restaurant, sometimes dubbed CPK, was known for its extensive pizza menu, but also served salads, pasta, soups and cocktails. It opened in Fresno in 2002.
The company had pivoted to adapt to the closure of dining rooms due to coronavirus. In addition to takeout food, it began selling take-and-bake meals, build-your-own pizza kits for kids, and boxes of fruit and veggies, along with pantry staples like eggs and milk.
But it apparently wasn’t enough.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 9:52 AM.
