California Pizza Kitchen Co-Founder Rick Rosenfield on building a brand from the inside out

California Pizza Kitchen Co-Founder Rick Rosenfield on building a brand from the inside out

Author: The Agile Brand July 13, 2026 Duration: 25:17

With brands being defined by every customer interaction, who is really in charge of your customer experience: your C-suite, or your frontline employees?

Agility requires more than just the right technology; it demands a culture where empowered teams can make decisions and respond to customer needs in the moment.

Today, we're going to talk about building a brand from the inside out, focusing on the powerful connection between internal culture and external customer experience. We'll explore:

- How a "reverse pyramid" leadership model can directly impact customer experience and brand perception.

- Translating core values into an operational framework that empowers employees and fosters accountability.

- The principles of scaling a culture of empowerment as a brand grows from a single location to a global presence.


To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Rick Rosenfield, Co-Founder at California Pizza Kitchen, and author of the new book, The California Pizza Kitchen Story.


About Rick Rosenfield

Rick Rosenfield is the co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen and a former federal prosecutor and defense attorney. He helped grow CPK to 265 restaurants and a national retail line while shaping a new era of American casual dining. His forthcoming memoir blends legal battles, entrepreneurial inflection points, and lessons in partnership and culture.


Rick Rosenfield on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickrosenfield


---------- Resources ----------


California Pizza Kitchen: www.rickrosenfield.com


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Each conversation on The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®: Expert Mode Marketing Technology, AI, & CX moves beyond surface-level trends to explore the practical realities of modern marketing. Host Greg Kihlström guides discussions with executives and thought leaders from prominent brands and technology platforms, focusing on the tangible strategies that drive growth. You’ll hear detailed explorations of topics like the real-world adoption of AI, the construction of effective first-party data strategies, and the evolving landscape of customer experience. This podcast is built for leaders who need to translate complex technological shifts into sustainable business value and deeper customer relationships. Rather than offering quick fixes, these episodes provide a deeper understanding of how to integrate marketing technology, artificial intelligence, and customer-centric thinking into a cohesive strategy. The dialogue consistently centers on building customer lifetime value, ensuring that every technological investment contributes to long-term brand strength. If you're looking for a clear, expert-level analysis of what actually works in today's market, this series delivers substantive insights directly from the professionals shaping the industry.
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