California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)

The only thing the app works properly for is to scan the loyalty/reward for dining in (not promotions or freebies, only to get “points” for order. The app is infuriating in every possible way. It is embarrassing how bad it is. To reset password you have to do thru link sent via email. No problem. But the app doesn’t recognize the reset for hours or maybe even longer. We ended up having to create a new account instead. There is no easy way to pull up a menu to browse/discuss with friends/family what to order. You actually have to do all the steps as if ordering. If you switch to a different screen while placing an order in app before checking out (like take a phone call) and come back even in 30 seconds, the basket is empty and you have to re do it. We had coupons for free appetizer (for signing up), then some other coupons on other occasions. In none of the 3 instances it worked properly in the app. So these ‘sign up’ for rewards account and get free appetizer would work and neither are any other promos we got after sign up via email. We have ordered pick up through app thrice. Every time it takes between 30 min to 1 hr to complete the order because of tech failures of this app. I don’t know who is rating this app above 4 stars. But 5 of us each tried and had same issues. Each person using other apps with no problems. And each person concluding that CPK app pick up ordering is out aa an option for our group. Unless the app/process is significantly revamped-pick up ordering is out for us.

I tried to use what I presume was the original CPK app which I could never operate easily. Difficult if not impossible to use it to pay. Frequently locked and counter-intuitive. Waitstaff admitted a lot of people complained. I quit using it. Came back to CPK a year or so later and downloaded what I hoped would be a new version. It’s actually worse. Would not let me log in. I used the “forgot password” link to reset my password. Tried 4 or 5 times without success. After requesting a reset, I kept getting the message that my request had timed out despite my trying to complete the process within 20 seconds after receiving they reset link. Thinking maybe my account had been deleted, I tried to create a new account. Also unsuccessfully. App will not even identify the only (and oldest CPK) in town. App seems to think that the only COK in town is the one that closed over a year ago. Don’t waste your time with this App. A couple of years ago I contact CPK corporate about the app, got referred to the developer? In Florida who was totally unaware of any problems. Nothing is ever fixed. With as many budding chip heads as there are out there, one would think there would be one somewhere who could handle an app with at least basic functions. Could it be that CPK ‘s failed apps are the reason for its declining business?

CPK, please push training to your restaurants. Many employees lack familiarity which defeats purpose & convenience of the app. In one instance, the app wouldn't allow paying. After the server called the manager to the table, he advised that he had shut down the app for the night. This unnecessarily complicated paying for dinner. Why let customers "check in" with the app, redeem a reward, then shut it down before they get a chance to pay via the app? As far as functionality, please add ability to enter CPK gift cards as a form of payment in the app. This would streamline paying as well.