Shares in California Pizza Kitchen Inc. gained more than 5 percent Wednesday after the company said that it may report higher-than-expected earnings and beat its initial guidance for same-store sales for the first quarter.

The Los Angeles-based gourmet pizza restaurant chain owner said it expects same-store-sales for the quarter ended March 30 to increase 0.4 percent. That’s down from the same period last year, when same-store sales were up 4.7 percent, but it’s an improvement from the company’s original forecast of a 1 percent drop.

The casual dining chain owner said it now expects earnings of 7 cents to 8 cents per share in the first quarter, up from earlier guidance in the 4 cents to 6 cents per share range.

The company also said Wednesday that based on preliminary results, it expects sales of $165 million, 10 percent more than the same period a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were predicting sales of $164 million for the quarter.

California Pizza Kitchen added five full service restaurants during the quarter, which may have helped boost its sales numbers. It will release its first quarter numbers May 8.

Shares in CPK were up 5.1 percent to $15.03 in early trading Wednesday.