CPK/ASAP Opens in Redondo Beach, Calif., on May 17, 2005; Opening to Benefit South Bay Children's Health Center.

LOS ANGELES -- California Pizza Kitchen (NASDAQ:CPKI), home of the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other delicious hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, soups, appetizers, sandwiches and desserts, launched its new CPK/ASAP concept in Redondo Beach, Calif. on May 17, 2005.

The new CPK/ASAP concept features a specialized selection of items from the full-service restaurant menu, in a setting that provides customers with a fast, convenient way to experience CPK's creative California-style cuisine. The CPK/ASAP has a newly designed interior featuring vivid reds and warm yellows, in a fast-casual service environment. Its menu includes a variety of CPK's most popular hearth-baked pizzas, salads, appetizers and offers new soups including Tomato Basil Bisque and Adobe Chicken Chowder along with a selection of Panini sandwiches, including Grilled Ham and Swiss, Turkey Club, Grilled Vegetarian and Grilled Chicken, which are exclusive to CPK/ASAP.

In celebration of the grand opening, California Pizza Kitchen/ASAP will host a fundraising event to benefit the South Bay Children's Health Center (SBCHC). On Wednesday, May 25, California Pizza Kitchen will donate 100 percent of pizza sales to the SBCHC. The South Bay Children's Health Center provides out-patient dental, vision, hearing, child guidance diagnosis and treatment services to children, kindergarten through high school ages, who come from low and moderate income families, and cannot afford these vital health services.

"The CPK/ASAP concept is an excellent way for us to serve our great CPK food in a more convenient way to those looking for a quick, fresh meal," said Larry Flax, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen. "We are thrilled with the new ASAP prototype and look forward to expanding the concept," added Rick Rosenfield, co-founder and co-CEO of California Pizza Kitchen.

The 2,200 square foot CPK/ASAP seats 62 people and is located at 1430 S. PCH on Pacific Coast Highway at G Street in Redondo Beach, CA. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests can dine-in or place a take-out order by calling [phone].

California Pizza Kitchen is a leading casual dining chain in the premium pizza segment and is widely known for its innovative menu items. The chain operates, licenses or franchises 178 restaurants as of May 17, of which 148 are company-owned and 30 operate under franchise or license agreements. There are 24 CPK/ASAP locations throughout the United States, five of which are company owned and 19 are franchised by HMSHost. California Pizza Kitchen provides a range of creative California dishes, from the signature California-style, hearth-baked pizzas to creative salads, appetizers, pastas, soups and sandwiches. Children who dine at California Pizza Kitchen choose from an extensive menu, recently named "The Best Kids Menu in America" by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine.

California Pizza Kitchen can be found on the internet at www.cpk.com.