The California Pizza Kitchen in the Villaggio Shopper Center in north Fresno is permanently closed. The restaurant partially blames the COVID-19 pandemic.

GV Wire℠ arrived at the restaurant Thursday morning. A single worker there appeared to be starting the closing process.

CPK Statement

A statement posted to the store’s website says:

“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related lease challenges with our landlords, we regret to inform you that we have closed this CPK restaurant. We look forward to welcoming you at our other locations and invite you to continue checking CPK.com for updates.”

No further information was posted.

COVID-19 & Restaurants

According to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence emailed to GV Wire℠, the pandemic upended the restaurant industry and sped up delivery and takeout trends. Smaller, independent restaurants are more at risk than the large publicly traded restaurant companies, experts say.

Restaurants are among the hardest-hit U.S. businesses, with the pandemic and lockdowns forcing dining rooms to close. Sales at U.S. food services and drinking places were down 26.3% in June from the year-ago period. U.S. banks are adjusting their exposure to the restaurant industry.

Restaurants could be further impacted after expanded unemployment benefits expired and as Congress continues hashing out the details of another rescue package, analysts say.