California Pizza Kitchen has partnered with retail technology firm T-Roc Global to install up to 1000 automated food kiosks across the US over the next three years. 

The rollout targets high-foot-traffic sites such as airports, universities, hospitals, hotels, and EV charging stations.

Combining touchscreen ordering with TurboChef cooking technology to prepare CPK pizzas in about 90 seconds, the kiosk will offer select CPK menu items, including pasta dishes, macaroni and cheese, and butter cake.

T-Roc Global will oversee the rollout, operations, and ongoing service for the automated kiosk network. 

To support national scaling, the initial phase will focus on creating operational density by deploying clusters of at least 20 units across 30 major US markets.

The partnership builds upon automated kiosk trials CPK began operating last year, where automated units are installed in several airports, including Boston Logan, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas Love Field, and Dayton International.

CPK president Michael Beacham and T-Roc CEO Brett Beveridge noted that the automated distribution channel allows CPK to access new consumer dining occasions without the real estate overhead of traditional restaurant footprints. 

 “Our automated retail strategy, now accelerated through a partnership with T-Roc, introduces CPK to entirely new occasions and venues where consumers desire quality food on the go,” said Beacham.

“Consumers increasingly expect their favorite brands to meet them where they are, and technology is making that possible in entirely new ways,” added Beveridge.

“By combining CPK’s brand, food and loyal following with T-Roc’s nationwide infrastructure and technology capabilities, we have an opportunity to build a new national distribution channel at a meaningful scale.”

In March, California Pizza Kitchen expanded its consumer packaged goods business with new product categories and wider international distribution, including partnerships in Latin America and Asia.