{"product_id":"the-california-pizza-kitchen-story-how-two-federal-prosecutors-changed-the-way-america-eats-pizza-hardcover","title":"The California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRick Rosenfield\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza\u003c\/em\u003e is a candid business memoir that traces the unlikely journey from federal courtrooms to the creation of one of the most influential brands in modern casual dining.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore co-founding California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), Rick Rosenfield built his career as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, handling cases before the US Supreme Court, prosecuting organized crime, and representing high-profile clients. In 1985, Rosenfield and his longtime partner and fellow former federal prosecutor, Larry Flax, made the radical decision to leave the law field and open a pizza restaurant in Beverly Hills. Their ambition was not simply to open a restaurant, but to rethink what pizza could be, where it could be eaten, and who it could be for.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat followed was the moment California-style pizza moved into the mainstream--with its unexpected ingredients, open kitchens, and a relaxed yet elevated dining experience--and the rapid growth of CPK from a single location into a global brand. Along the way, Rosenfield and Flax navigated skeptical bankers, explosive expansion, partnerships with major corporations, and the pressures and consequences of private equity ownership.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore than a growth story, this book reveals the human realities of entrepreneurship: partnership dynamics, culture under pressure, betrayal and resilience, and the constant tension between creativity and control. Central to CPK's success was the deliberate creation of a people-first culture, embodied in the ROCK values--Respect, Opportunity, Communication, and Kindness--and the belief that culture, not product alone, drives enduring success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWritten in a direct, personal voice, \u003cem\u003eThe California Pizza Kitchen Story\u003c\/em\u003e is both a memoir and a practical guide, offering lessons in leadership, reinvention, and how vision and values can turn an unconventional idea into a lasting brand. \u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 352\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x 9.1 x 5.9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 21, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49590086893720,"sku":"9798900262321","price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/8830\/4024\/files\/E3wTXgnC2S9798900262321.webp?v=1785348342","url":"https:\/\/thepinkflamingobooks.myshopify.com\/products\/the-california-pizza-kitchen-story-how-two-federal-prosecutors-changed-the-way-america-eats-pizza-hardcover","provider":"The Pink Flamingo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}