California Pizza Kitchen on Saturday will unveil a redesigned outlet on Ohio Street that features rustic decor as part of the casual dining chain’s strategy to attract young consumers. The downtown Chicago location is the third of the 80 units that will be remodeled by the end of 2016.
No two units will look exactly alike, the company said. The chain also has expanded its menu and added new drinks, including hand-crafted cocktails made from fresh fruits, juices, purees and herbs.
“The new approach is to de-chain the chain, so no two restaurants will be exactly the same, and to revamp its authentic, made-to-order food and drinks to attract the young and sophisticated foodies,” said G.J. Hart, chief executive of California Pizza Kitchen.
In 2011, California Pizza Kitchen was sold to a San Francisco-based private investment firm for about $470 million.