SerpApi.Org
California Pizza Kitchen might have been called Florida Pizza Kitchen if it launched today, according to co-founder Rick Rosenfield, who says the business climate in California has changed.
In an interview with Fox News, Rosenfield said he would choose Florida over California if he were opening the chain now.
“If it were me today, I would open in Florida before I would open it in California,” Rosenfield told the outlet. “California is less business-friendly today, and they make it apparent.”
Rosenfield and Larry Flax opened California Pizza Kitchen in Beverly Hills in 1985. The chain is known for its California-style pizzas, including its popular barbecue chicken pizza. Today, the chain operates 185 locations, with a heavy concentration in California.
Rosenfield said California was “the greatest place to do business” a decade ago. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the state’s business environment changed, citing labor shortages, rising costs, and the state’s fast food minimum wage law.
During the pandemic, California Pizza Kitchen struggled like many restaurant chains as customers stayed home. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020.
Rosenfield himself moved to Florida in 2024, according to the L.A. Times.
“Florida is quite friendly. There’s less bureaucracy in Florida, and there’s more bureaucracy in California, and that’s basically my experience,” he told the outlet.
In recent years, other businesses have also re-evaluated their conduct in the Golden State. Similarly, a proposed tax on billionaires has prompted some wealthy residents to leave.
Still, California’s economy remains strong. The state has become a major hub for the artificial intelligence industry. Southern California has also emerged as a center for fast-growing space and defense technology companies.
Other chains continue to expand in the state. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers recently announced plans to open 60 new stores nationwide, with Northern California listed as a focus region.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
