California Pizza Kitchen is partnering with T-ROC Global to deploy up to 1,000 automated retail machines nationwide over the next three years, expanding the restaurant brand into high traffic locations where traditional restaurants may not be practical. The companies plan to place the machines in airports, universities, hospitals, hotels, office complexes, residential communities, electric vehicle charging stations, sports venues and other locations.

The automated retail machines will use TurboChef-powered cooking, touchscreen technology and data-driven systems. According to California Pizza Kitchen, the machines can prepare a pizza in as little as 90 seconds.

The menu is expected to extend beyond pizza. California Pizza Kitchen and T-ROC plan to offer items including Kung Pao and Bolognese spaghetti, Mac ‘N’ Cheese varieties and the brand’s Butter Cake.

T-ROC Global will handle deployment, replenishment, maintenance and operational support through its national infrastructure. The company said its network includes 32 warehouses, a dedicated van fleet and thousands of technicians.

The initial rollout will focus on clusters of at least 20 machines across 30 U.S. markets. The approach is designed to build market density while supporting service and replenishment efficiency.

California Pizza Kitchen began testing automated retail in 2025. Machines are already operating at airports including Boston Logan International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas Love Field and Dayton International Airport. The company also expects to activate another 15 machines at universities by the end of 2026.

“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,” Michael Beacham, president of California Pizza Kitchen Global, said in the announcement.

Brett Beveridge, 

This goes well beyond traditional drinks and snacks vending — combining TurboChef-powered cooking, intelligent technology and touchscreen ordering to deliver CPK favorites on demand, with pizza ready in as little as 90 seconds.

Brett Beveridge, CEO and founder of T-ROC, said of the deal, “To me, this is what disruptive automated retail looks like. Convenience is changing. Distribution is changing. And major brands are starting to think very differently about where they can meet the consumer.”

Under the agreement, T-ROC will also serve as the national service provider for other California Pizza Kitchen automated retail operating partners. Services will include replenishment, repair, warehousing, logistics, execution training, kiosk management technology and venue identification.

The partnership gives California Pizza Kitchen a larger infrastructure for scaling automated foodservice while extending the brand into nontraditional locations. For vending and unattended retail operators, the rollout also reflects growing interest in automated hot-food concepts backed by established restaurant brands.