Vending Machine Spaghetti: CPK Launches 1,000 Vending Machines

COSTA MESA, CA — California Pizza Kitchen has announced plans to launch up to 1,000 vending machines across the country over the next three years.

The Costa Mesa-based brand is partnering with T-ROC Global to bring the machines to airports, universities, hospitals, hotels, office complexes, residential communities, electric vehicle charging stations, sports venues and more, according to a recent news release.

The machines will be able to serve up a pizza in as little as 90 seconds and will offer other menu items, including Kung Pao and Bolognese spaghetti, a variety of macaroni and cheeses, and the brand’s signature butter cake.

“For decades, CPK has been dedicated to meeting consumers wherever they are, whether through our global restaurant network, airport and non-traditional locations, off-site events, or the local grocery store where we’ve been a leading premium pizza brand for 25 years,” Michael Beacham, president of California Pizza Kitchen Global, said in the news release.

“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.”

The rollout will initially focus on clusters of at least 20 units across 30 major U.S. markets, allowing the brand to efficiently establish market density and scale. The partnership with T-ROC is an expansion and acceleration of a strategy California Pizza Kitchen started testing last year. The brand already has vending machines at Boston Logan, Atlanta, Dallas Love Field and Dayton airports, and another 15 will be activated later this year at several universities.

“CPK is exactly the kind of iconic consumer brand that can redefine what automated retail can be,” Brett Beveridge, CEO and founder of T-ROC Global, said in the news release.

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