California Pizza Kitchen to Expand into Taiwan

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California Pizza Kitchen Inc. said late Monday that it had signed an agreement with a new franchise partner to open restaurants in Taiwan.

Quanta Foods has agreed to open at least six California Pizza Kitchen restaurants over the next five years, according to the Los Angeles restaurant chain, which last month agreed to be acquired by a private equity company.

“We are proud to be a global brand, and whenever we are able to introduce our innovative menu into a new country, it is an opportunity we pursue,” said Co-Chief Executives Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax in a statement. “Quanta Foods has a great success record in Taiwan, and we are pleased to partner with them on this venture.”

Quanta Foods was previously a joint-venture partner in Taiwan with McDonald’s and TGI Friday’s, and now is the exclusive franchisee there for Outback Steakhouse. It also operates independent restaurants.

California Pizza Kitchen currently has 230 restaurants in the U.S. and 35 overseas in China, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, Guam, India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Shares earlier closed down 1 cent, or less than 1 percent, to $18.38 on the Nasdaq.

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