Z Pizza vs California Pizza Kitchen Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Z Pizza vs California Pizza Kitchen including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Z Pizza Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Investment $249,000 - $359,000N/A
Franchise Fee $30,000N/A
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19861985
Year Franchised 19990
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Z Pizza Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • * Proven track record in the restaurant industry * Current ownership of multiple restaurants with an established infrastructure, preferably full service U.S. brands * Previous franchise restaurant experience * Strong knowledge of market trends, real estate, governmental issues, distribution and labor * Minimum of $5 Million total net worth * Minimum of $2 Million cash available for investment * Franchise partner must have the resources and be willing to send multiple managers and several key restaurant employees to California for a 3 month training program. * All minimum requirements are subject to California Pizza Kitchen's collective evaluation of the potential franchise partner If you feel you meet the initial criteria and are interested in franchise opportunities, please tell us more about yourself and your company in the following preliminary application.

    Financing Options

     
    Z Pizza Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Z Pizza Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
    Training Additional training available as required-
    Support The zpizza support system is extremely detailed and begins from the moment your franchise agreement is signed, throughout your development phases, and through your store opening. Training is provided to the operational owners and managers for your store. The zpizza Training Program is a four week program comprehensive of all operational details involved in your business. zpizza provides a team to serve from pre-opening to opening. - Use of brand name, trademarks, recipes, operational systems and methods, and décor - Facility planning on site location and architectural design - Specifications for fixtures, equipment, and leasehold improvements - Assistance in site selection and lease negotiation - Corporate training for Owner/Operator and Director of Operations/General Managers - Kitchen/Back of the House Workflow design - Ongoing support from members of the Training and Operations Team - Ongoing updates for increasing profitability - Products with high industry demand - Favorable national contracts with suppliers of goods and services - Operating manuals, policies, procedures, and business management systems - Annual franchisee meetings - Access to zpizza's proprietary, Internet-based system that acts as a repository for all above-mentioned support materials, manuals, graphics and brand communications. -
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Z Pizza Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Z Pizza

    Z Pizza was founded in 1986 and began franchising in 1999. The Newport Beach, California-based company has more than 90 units in the United States.Z Pizza is a rapidly growing chain of gourmet, health conscious pizza stores operating in high-profile lifestyle centers and metropolitan retail centers. The store footprint is approximately 1,100 to 1,500 square feet. Z pizza serves four day parts which include, lunch, afternoon chill, dinner and catering. The wide menu serves pizza, pizza by the slice, salads and sandwiches.

    About California Pizza Kitchen

    All U.S. Locations Are Company-Owned, Not Franchises

    Unlike most fast-food chains, all American locations are owned and operated by California Pizza Kitchen, as opposed to franchise owners. If you want to buy a California Pizza Kitchen for yourself, you’ll have to buy it overseas and run a company that already owns full-service restaurant chains. 

    California Pizza Kitchen
    is a leader in authentic California-style cuisine both domestically and internationally. Our diverse menu items from Kung Pao Spaghetti to Tostada Pizza provide an assortment of worldly flavors. In 1998, the first international CPK opened, beginning the company's global expansion. CPK is now considering additional expansion opportunities in select markets with experienced restaurant franchisees.
    California Pizza Kitchen is always looking for passionate, experienced partners to help us expand into new markets as we continue to grow our worldwide brand. We provide best-in-class training and development in all areas of our business in addition to on-the-ground support.
     
    International Franchising Requirements
     * Proven track record in the restaurant industry
     * Current ownership of multiple restaurants with an established infrastructure, preferably full service U.S. brands
     * Previous franchise restaurant experience
     * Strong knowledge of market trends, real estate, governmental issues, distribution and labor
     * Minimum of $5 Million total net worth
     * Minimum of $2 Million cash available for investment
     * Franchise partner must have the resources and be willing to send multiple managers and several key restaurant employees to California for a 3 month training program.
     * All minimum requirements are subject to California Pizza Kitchen's collective evaluation of the potential franchise partner