California Pizza Kitchen Giving Away FREE Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese During Two Week ‘MAC-versary’ Event

One year after breaking the internet with its viral “forgot the Mac” video, CPK is celebrating with a special offer that kicks off on National Mac and Cheese Day

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is doubling down on its viral and nostalgic Mac ‘N’ Cheese with an extra cheesy offer to celebrate National Mac and Cheese Day. Beginning today through July 31, the iconic restaurant brand is treating guests to a FREE Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese entrée with any $20 online purchase using code: CPKMAC.

The promotion is part of CPK’s two-week ‘MAC-versary’ event, marking one year since its viral Mac ‘N’ Cheese video amassed more than 13 million views on TikTok last July. While that incident initially stemmed from a takeout order gone wrong, CPK turned the mishap into a hilariously cheesy and generous moment that took the internet by storm.

Now combining that generosity with the menu innovation it’s known for, CPK is inviting guests to try its new Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup, inspired by the brand’s best-selling pizzas. These five flavors steal the pizza toppings and ditch the crust, replacing it with its signature and beloved Mac ‘N’ Cheese, then baked in its hearth oven:

• BBQ Chicken Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Inspired by the ‘OG’ BBQ Chicken Pizza first crafted in 1985, this Mac 'N' Cheese is baked with CPK’s legendary BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, smoked Gouda, red onions and topped with fresh cilantro. Smoky, savory, and oh so cheesy!
• Burnt Ends BBQ Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Tender smoked brisket burnt ends, smothered in CPK’s signature BBQ sauce, then baked into a creamy Mac 'N' Cheese blend of smoked Gouda and Mozzarella cheeses. Topped off with tangy pickled red onions and fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor in every bite.
• Carne Asada Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Tender marinated steak, charred to perfection with cilantro pesto, shaved poblanos, yellow onions, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack and fresh cilantro, served with roasted salsa verde for a rich and smoky Mac 'N' Cheese experience.
• Five-Cheese Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – A rich and creamy Mac 'N' Cheese featuring a blend of fresh and traditional Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda and Romano cheeses. Topped with ripe tomato and fresh basil, this dish brings the classic flavors to life in every bite.
• Wild Mushroom Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese – Shaved cremini mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, with Romano, Parmesan and Mozzarella, slivered scallions and cracked black pepper, all baked to perfection in a creamy Mac 'N' Cheese.

These flavors, which have been offered online as a “secret” menu since February, are becoming increasingly discovered and popular with takeout and delivery guests. The lineup is also gearing up for a limited time run in-restaurant for dine-in guests later this summer.

“What started as a customer service mishap turned into a massively viral moment for our brand and a renaissance for our Mac ‘N’ Cheese,” said Dawn Keller, Chief Marketing Officer at CPK. “Now a year later, we’re thrilled to delight our fans with a new, elevated Mac menu and a killer offer to say ‘thank you’ for all the brand love. From meme to menu, this innovation is all about fun, buzz, and of course, craveability!”

The two-week offer of FREE Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese will be available for online orders only through CPK.com or the CPK app for pick up or delivery, at all CPK locations excluding Hawaii. For more information, visit www.cpk.com and follow @cpk on Instagram, @calpizzakitchen on TikTok or @calpizzakitchen on X.

About California Pizza Kitchen

Founded in 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) revolutionized casual dining with its first restaurant in Beverly Hills, introducing the world to gourmet, California-inspired pizza. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary year, CPK is a beloved global brand, serving creative California cuisine across 26 states and in nine countries and U.S. territories. CPK continues to redefine casual dining, fueled by a passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold global flavors. From iconic hearth-baked pizzas like The Original BBQ Chicken and California Club, to inventive salads like Thai Crunch, unique pastas like Chicken Tequila Fettuccine, and industry firsts like Cauliflower Crust and Take & Bake Pizzas, CPK combines familiar foods with a fresh, imaginative California twist that guests continue to crave.