1,000 CPK Spaghetti Vending Machines | Theme Park Ride Death | Flying Taxi Bargain Fare: CA Business News

CALIFORNIA — This week in California business news: A company that plans to bring flying taxis to the state wants the price of a ride to be competitive with Uber, California Pizza Kitchen is readying vending machines that serve spaghetti and Six Flags has settled a wrongful death claim stemming from one of its rollercoasters.

Additionally, a popular European coffee chain is backing out of Southern California following its plan to open 40 stores.

But before getting to the biggest business stories in the Golden State, here are some of the best consumer deals of the week:

• Teachers and other education professionals can get a buy-one-get-one-free entree at STK Steakhouse locations from Aug. 31 through Sept. 7 with a valid school ID. The promotional menu includes steak frites, maple rubbed salmon, free range chicken and mushroom & truffle tagliatelle. The deal is limited to two offers per table. More info.
• Cheesecake Factory customers can get a $10 Bonus eCard when they buy a $50 gift card online through Sept. 7. The bonus card can be redeemed from Sept. 8-30 at participating locations. More info.

Freebies, Deals And Steals

Check out this week's top headlines for California business news on Patch:

• LA Mayor Demands Feds Preserve CA's Coastal Authority Amid Offshore Drilling Fight
• Flying Taxis Coming To CA Could Cost About The Same As An Uber Black Ride
• California Pizza Kitchen Launching 1,000 Vending Machines Across The Country
• Major Coffee Chain Backs Out Of SoCal After Plan For 40 Stores
• Six Flags Settles Wrongful Death Case Tied To Magic Mountain Ride
• This CA Restaurant Chain Has Closed Over 100 Locations, With Less Than 40 Remaining
• $7B Biotech Company Leaves CA For Texas, Citing Business Advantages: Report
• Newsom Negotiating Coastal Carveout Tied To Donor's SoCal Project: Report
• What It Takes To Be Middle Class In CA: New Studies Show Why It's So Hard To Get By

More Restaurant News

New Kosher Mediterranean Restaurant Opening In Beverly Hills

Chef Eyal Shani's kosher concept will debut at SIXTY Beverly Hills with signature dishes and California-inspired additions.

Johnny Costa’s Marks 50 Years Of Italian Dining, And Sinatra History, In Palm Springs

The landmark family owned eatery was founded by an Italian immigrant who served The Rat Pack and later became Frank Sinatra's personal chef.

Popular Chicken Joint Set To Open In Fremont

The new locale is expected to open in 2027.

Petaluma’s New Café Nears Opening But Still Under Wraps

The owners behind two downtown Stellina spots are preparing a third location at Lakeville Square.

CA Dominates In Ranking Of America's 10 Best Winery Restaurants, Taking 5 Spots

To determine the ranking, an expert panel nominated top picks and readers voted, USA Today reported.

PopUp Bagels To Open 2nd Location In Los Angeles

The location planned a grand opening celebration for Friday.

Red Lobster In Coachella Valley Shutting Its Doors After 14 Years

Located at Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive, the location reportedly opened its doors in June 2012.

Amid Wine Country's Vineyard Retreat, A Family Doubles Down In Sonoma County

A former global makeup artist came home during the pandemic and found a future in his family’s Sonoma County vineyard.

Cheez-It Food Court Pop-Up Coming To LA Mall In September

The limited-time Cheez-It Court will serve three Cheez-It-inspired dishes through September.

More Retail News

New Barnes & Noble Opens Doors At South Coast Plaza

The sprawling, 27,000-square-foot book and media store is the fourth new location in Orange County.

Popular Temecula Shopping Center Building Sells For $6.5 Million: Report

The 100%-leased, multi-tenant retail building is located at 32435 Temecula Parkway.

Luxury Fitness Gym Coming To Alameda

"We designed this space around how this community actually lives, trains, and spends time together," the company's vice president said.

Long Beach Tried To Regulate Self-Checkout, Stores Shut Them Down Instead

Ten of 13 retailers surveyed by Long Beach said they closed their self-checkout lanes after the city's new staffing rules took effect.

CA Skincare Store Accused Of Using Coercive Sales Tactics. How A Customer Spent Over $50K

Chisolm said he'd visited a skincare store called "Bee & Co," and was convinced by a salesperson to spend his savings on products.

Raley’s To Close Los Gatos Store Amid CA Shutdowns

The grocery company will shutter stores in Los Gatos, Brentwood, Elko, and Petaluma, while denying broader downsizing plans.

New Lake Elsinore Car Wash Fetches $3.4M

“Investor demand remains very strong for single-tenant net-leased express car washes in California,” the team that sold the deal said.

Popular Rohnert Park Sourdough Stand Prepares For Last Day Before Move North

Jaxon’s Sourdough plans its likely final Rohnert Park farm stand before moving to another location soon.

Private Equity-Backed Company Buys Walnut Creek Pet Hospital

The acquisition brings a nearly five-decade-old veterinary hospital into VetnCare’s growing Northern California network.

Demolition On Old Regal Starts As Plans For New Costco Take Shape In Lake Forest

The 165,000-square-foot Costco Wholesale building will replace a shuttered Regal Cinema movie theater that closed in 2024.

More Entertainment Industry News

LA County Supervisor Urges Bonta, Paramount To Resume Warner Bros. Settlement Talks

"The breakdown in settlement discussions this week is disappointing," county Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.

Composer Seeks At Least $5M In 'Real Housewives' Royalties Spat

The composer claims he's owed royalties from "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" music cues.

Women Still Underrepresented In Emmy Nominations, Report Finds

The report found women continue to be outnumbered by men in key behind-the-scenes television roles.

'The Odyssey' Makes Box Office History At TCL Chinese Theatre In Hollywood

The milestone was reached last week, 37 days after the Universal Pictures and Syncopy film opened in theaters.

More Tech News

Data Center Applications Halted in Palm Springs

Palm Springs is the latest city to say "no" to new data center applications. But for how long?

Time Limits And A Midnight Cutoff: Meta’s New Rules For Kids Go Further, But Critics Say Not Enough

Meta has agreed to strengthen its age estimates to keep kids under 13 off its platforms and teens in age-appropriate accounts.

Walnut Creek Eyes Millions For Electric Vehicles: Report

City leaders support expanding electric vehicles and charging infrastructure as transportation drives most local emissions.

Coachella City Council Voted To Permanently Ban Data Centers Citywide

Coachella became the first city in the Coachella Valley to enact a permanent prohibition on data centers.

UCLA To Offer Nation's First Bachelor's Degree In Digital Humanities

UCLA's new department will blend humanities and technology, with courses examining AI, digital tools and their impact on society.

More Business News

Penske To Pay $480K To Riverside County As Part Of CA Environmental Lawsuit Settlement

The case involved alleged hazardous-waste, hazardous-material and storage-tank violations in Riverside County and across the Golden State.

'Dog And Pony Show' Temecula Mayor Says Of SDG&E's Open House For Power Transfer Line Project

SDG&E hosted the open-house Q&A at Temecula's Embassy Suites on Wednesday, leaving residents with more questions than answers.

Million-Dollar Security Deal For Autonomous Cars At Concord Base Approved

Driverless-car testing will continue behind guarded gates while Concord pursues its massive long-delayed redevelopment plans ahead.

Sonoma County Moves To Restrict Nitrous Oxide

Four deaths and recurring emergency-room cases prompted Sonoma County officials to pursue tighter sales restrictions Tuesday.

LA Blocks 301-Unit Woodland Hills Housing Project Over Fire Risk, Mountain Lion Habitat

The project would have brought 175 homes and 126 apartments to the Woodland Hills Country Club site.

2 LA Men Arrested In San Diego County Debit Card Swap Scheme

Similar incidents are being investigated by San Diego, Chula Vista and Carlsbad police departments.

State Of California Grants Nearly $4M For SDSU National Security Hub Incubator

The National Security Hub will be located at San Diego State University's Mission Valley Innovation District.

Elk Grove Police Recover Semi-Truck Trailer Containing $170,000 In Tesla Materials

The trailer, truck and products inside totaled to over $240,000 of stolen material.

Controversy Continues Over Vacation Rental Properties In Riverside County

Who really wants to live next short-term rentals?

Plan To Move Landmark, Demolish Celebrated Culinary Site Create Opposing Forces In Sonoma

Tidewater Capital proposes 46 homes, seven affordable units, and relocating the historic General's Daughter building.

OC Judge Who Conspired With LA Doctor Sentenced For Workers' Comp Fraud

The former Orange County Superior Court judge was sentenced Thursday to one year of probation for workers' compensation fraud.

Regulators Find Chevron Richmond Refinery Emissions Have Elevated Risks For Cancer, Other Health Effects

According to the report, most of the cancer risk - 74% - comes from a single pollutant called benzo[a]pyrene.

12K Cigarettes Stolen From Livermore Business: Police

Three people are accused of stealing thousands of cigarettes from a downtown Livermore business, police said.

Millions In CA May Get Surprise $68 Payments From Class Action Suit Over Privacy Violations

Sutter Health provides services for about 3.6 million patients.

SB 79 Explained: Why Santa Monica May Upzone 89 Homes To Delay Housing Law

A proposal affecting 89 single-family properties is part of Santa Monica's effort to retain control over where new housing density goes.

Buss Brothers, Ex-Lakers Execs, Join San Diego Padres Ownership Group

The Padres are in the middle of a postseason push, currently holding a slim lead on the third National League Wild Card spot.

LA-Backed Bill Would Make Cold Storage Companies Set Aside Emergency Funds

The bill would require cold-storage operators to prepare financially for emergencies and provide relief for Boyle Heights fire victims.

Nearly 200 New Homes Coming To Bishop Ranch San Ramon

Trumark Homes will build 67 single-family homes and 128 townhomes as part of Bishop Ranch's massive residential transformation.

Jeanie Buss Takes Battle With Siblings Over Laker Control To Court Once Again

Jeanie Buss has filed a petition to stop her five siblings from selling the family's remaining ownership in the Lakers.

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