By Tracy Morin
Costa Mesa, California-based California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the full-service dining pizza restaurant brand, is making amends—and creating buzz—with its fan base this National Pizza Month through its Apology Pizzas promotion. “California Pizza Kitchen has a confession: It’s been ignoring years of fan pleas to bring back pizzas like Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Shrimp Scampi and Pear & Gorgonzola,” the brand announced. “So, this October, CPK is finally saying sorry, and doing it with 25,000 free ‘Apology Pizzas.’”
As the brand humorously acknowledges it failed to bring back these beloved pizzas from past menus—based on years of guest requests and social comments clamoring for their comeback—it is offering a two-part appeasement to guests. First, the free Apology Pizzas will be available to claim through the end of October. Fans simply comment “Apology Accepted” on CPK’s related Instagram, TikTok or Facebook posts and get a code for a free 7” pizza sent straight to their DMs.
“We take full responsibility for the unforgettable pizzas that fans have loved and lost,” says chef Paul Pszybylski, vice president of culinary innovation at California Pizza Kitchen. “But this National Pizza Month, we’re making it right—with 25,000 free pizzas now, one returning pizza next year, and zero regrets about how seriously we’re taking this. So yeah, we’re sorry, but also you’re welcome.”
CPK even hired a CFO (Chief Forgiveness Officer) to deliver a serious video apology to guests, posted to CPK’s social channels at the start of the month. Then, throughout the month, CPK will post multiple apology-accepting opportunities on its social channels, encouraging fans to follow closely for their chance to participate.
Up to 25,000 codes are available through October 31 while supplies last, and pizzas can be redeemed through November 10. The free 7” pizzas are confined to select varieties (The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage, Pepperoni, Margherita, Wild Mushroom and Hawaiian) with a minimum net purchase of $20 on CPK.com or the CPK app, excluding tax, gratuity, delivery fee and alcohol.
For the second part of the apology, CPK will bring back one fan-favorite pizza in 2027, and the fans get to help decide which one by speaking up on social through the month of October. CPK executives will be monitoring social channels to identify the most cherished pizza of its past. “We’ll be listening even more closely this month,” says Dawn Keller, chief marketing officer at CPK. “We invite all guests to speak up through comments or their own posts—your voice could decide the destiny of CPK pizza fans nationwide.”
Founded in 1985 by Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, CPK introduced the world to California-inspired pizza by growing to locations nationwide and abroad. CPK has also been a familiar brand in the U.S. frozen pizza grocery aisle for more than 25 years while expanding to branded salad dressings and sauces. Recently celebrating its 40th anniversary, CPK now has restaurants in 25 U.S. states along with nine countries and U.S. territories.
Tracy Morin is PMQ’s associate editor.
