California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the restaurant brand known for its creative, California-inspired menu, is going all-in on one of its most viral, nostalgic, and crave-worthy dishes—Mac ‘N’ Cheese. In celebration of National Mac and Cheese Day, CPK is kicking off a two-week promotion that not only honors the dish’s unexpected rise to social media fame, but also introduces a bold new lineup of Mac ‘N’ Cheese entrées inspired by the brand’s most iconic pizzas.
Starting today and running through July 31, guests can score a FREE Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese entrée with any $20 online purchase at CPK.com or via the CPK app, simply by using the promo code: CPKMAC. The offer is valid for pickup or delivery at participating CPK locations nationwide, with the exception of Hawaii.
This generous giveaway is part of CPK’s first-ever ‘MAC-versary’ celebration, which commemorates the one-year anniversary of a viral TikTok video that turned a small customer service mistake into a cultural phenomenon. The original video, which featured a takeout Mac ‘N’ Cheese order that didn’t quite meet expectations, sparked laughter, buzz, and ultimately goodwill after CPK turned the incident into a clever and heartwarming brand moment. The video went on to garner over 13 million views on TikTok, transforming a mishap into marketing gold and making CPK’s Mac ‘N’ Cheese a social media darling.
Now, riding the wave of that unexpected success, CPK is expanding the menu with a full Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup, featuring five innovative new dishes that creatively fuse the flavors of its best-selling pizzas with its classic creamy mac base. These indulgent offerings are baked in CPK’s signature hearth oven and have been quietly available online as a “secret menu” since February. Due to rising popularity, they are now being officially unveiled as part of the MAC-versary event—and will soon be making their debut in restaurants for dine-in guests later this summer.
Here’s a closer look at the five new Mac ‘N’ Cheese creations:
1. BBQ Chicken Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese
Inspired by CPK’s original BBQ Chicken Pizza from 1985, this dish reimagines that iconic flavor profile in a creamy, cheesy new form. It features grilled chicken, red onions, smoked Gouda, and CPK’s tangy house-made BBQ sauce, all topped with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. It’s smoky, savory, and full of cheesy goodness.
2. Burnt Ends BBQ Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese
For barbecue lovers, this version delivers a hearty blend of tender smoked brisket burnt ends, baked into a rich mac blend of smoked Gouda and Mozzarella cheeses. Topped with pickled red onions and fresh cilantro, it offers a perfect balance of tang, smoke, and creaminess.
3. Carne Asada Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese
This bold fusion dish features marinated steak, char-grilled to perfection and combined with cilantro pesto, poblano peppers, yellow onions, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack cheeses. Finished with roasted salsa verde and fresh cilantro, it’s a smoky, spicy, and satisfying take on Mac ‘N’ Cheese.
4. Five-Cheese Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese
For purists who love cheese in all its glory, this entrée delivers in spades. It features a creamy blend of fresh Mozzarella, traditional Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda, and Romano cheeses. Topped with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, this dish offers familiar comfort with an elevated twist.
5. Wild Mushroom Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese
This earthy, aromatic variation brings together shaved cremini mushrooms, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a trio of cheeses—Romano, Parmesan, and Mozzarella. It’s finished with slivered scallions and cracked black pepper, offering an umami-rich and satisfying vegetarian option.
These inventive flavors reflect California Pizza Kitchen’s legacy of culinary creativity and menu innovation. By taking the beloved components of its most iconic pizzas and combining them with one of America’s favorite comfort foods, the brand is redefining Mac ‘N’ Cheese in a way that feels both nostalgic and new.
From Viral Meme to Menu Innovation
“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 viral moment behind the promotion not only showcased CPK’s sense of humor and responsiveness, but also revealed a surprising truth—people really, really love Mac ‘N’ Cheese, especially when it’s done with flair. CPK’s ability to take a seemingly negative situation and turn it into a highly successful brand initiative has become a textbook example of smart, human-centered marketing in the digital age.
Promotion Details and Participation
To take advantage of the free entrée promotion, customers must place an online order of at least $20 through CPK.com or the CPK mobile app, and enter the promo code CPKMAC at checkout. The offer is valid through July 31, 2025, and is limited to one redemption per order. It applies to takeout and delivery orders only and excludes dine-in purchases and all Hawaii locations.
While this new Mac lineup has been quietly gaining traction online, fans will soon be able to enjoy these flavors in-person as CPK plans to bring them to restaurants nationwide for a limited time beginning later this summer.
As the fast-casual and casual dining space becomes increasingly competitive, CPK’s playful, trend-savvy approach stands out—showing that the brand isn’t just about pizza, but about crafting unique dining experiences that reflect creativity, quality, and connection with its audience.
For more information about the MAC-versary event, the new Baked Mac ‘N’ Cheese lineup, or to place an order, guests can visit or download the California Pizza Kitchen mobile app.
