Financial Planning Analyst

California Pizza Kitchen; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Growth opportunities

Bonus potential

The Proof learning platform

All the pizza you can eat

Employee assistance program

Competitive compensation

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

California Pizza Kitchen is seeking a Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst to support monthly and weekly P&L reporting across all locations, with a focus on variance analysis, budgeting, and KPI dashboards. The role offers visibility into operations, marketing, and senior finance leadership from day one.

The ideal candidate has 2–4 years in FP&A, strong Excel skills, and experience translating data into actionable insights within a multi-unit restaurant setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 2-4 years of progressive experience in financial planning & analysis.
• Solid Excel skills - pivot tables, VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, basic modeling.
• Comfort working with large data sets and translating numbers into insights.

Responsibilities

• Support monthly and weekly P&L reporting across all locations, including variance analysis vs. budget and prior year.
• Maintain and update financial models tracking food cost, labor, and store-level EBITDA performance.
• Assist in the annual budgeting process, gathering input from department heads.
• Build and refresh dashboards and reports that surface key restaurant KPIs - comp sales, traffic, check average, and menu mix.
• Conduct ad hoc analysis to support operations and marketing decisions.
• Partner with Accounting during month-end close to reconcile actuals and ensure accurate reporting.
• Prepare clear, concise financial summaries and slide decks for leadership review meetings.

Skills

Financial analysis

Excel pivot tables

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

TM1

IBM Planning Analytics

Job description

At California Pizza Kitchen, we bring the biggest and best parts of ourselves to work and to our communities, and are guided by our ROCK philosophy (Respect, Opportunity, Communication, and Kindness). We are committed to moving people forward and encourage everyone to apply their passion at CPK. So go ahead...be bold, be epic, be YOU!

SUMMARY OF POSITION

This is a great opportunity for a talented individual to work at an iconic brand undergoing an exciting transformation. The Financial Planning & Analysis team plays a critical role in growing the business through strategic analysis, financial and strategic planning, and proactive and comprehensive recommendations to senior management. We're looking for a curious, detail-oriented Financial Planning & Analyst to join our growing FP&A team. Reporting to the VP of FP&A, you will support the financial planning, reporting, and analysis that drive decisions across our restaurants. This is a hands‑on role with real visibility - you will work closely with operations, marketing, and senior finance leadership from day one.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Support monthly and weekly P&L reporting across all locations, including variance analysis vs. budget and prior year.
• Maintain and update financial models tracking food cost, labor, and store-level EBITDA performance.
• Assist in the annual budgeting process, gathering input from department heads.
• Build and refresh dashboards and reports that surface key restaurant KPIs - comp sales, traffic, check average, and menu mix.
• Conduct ad hoc analysis to support operations and marketing decisions (e.g., LTO performance, pricing impact, daypart trends).
• Partner with Accounting during month-end close to reconcile actuals and ensure accurate reporting.
• Prepare clear, concise financial summaries and slide decks for leadership review meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 2-4 years of progressive experience in financial planning & analysis.
• Solid Excel skills - pivot tables, VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, basic modeling.
• Comfort working with large data sets and translating numbers into insights.
• Strong attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Proficient verbal, written and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate through all levels of the organization.
• Restaurant, retail, or multi‑unit consumer industry exposure preferred.
• Experience with IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequent exposure to computers.
• Noise level and temperature are moderate.
• Ability to sit, stand and/or walk for up to 10 hours a day.
• Occasionally required to stoop, bend, or kneel, lift up to 25 lbs.
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WHO IS CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

We are passionate individuals committed to inspiring others by bringing California creativity to every meal! Founded in 1985, former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their fervor for food and fresh ingredients to create innovative, hearth‑baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, California Club and Thai Chicken that are created in a lively open kitchen. The concept gave California a place in the pizza revolution alongside Chicago and New York. CPK has since become the place for taste makers, rule breakers and earth shakers who conquer challenges by daring to work on the edge and thinking creatively.

THE PERKS

• Tremendously passionate, one‑of‑a‑kind company culture.
• Opportunities for growth and development. We love promoting from within!
• Unique electronic learning platform appropriately titled "The Proof" to engage continuous development.
• All the pizza you can eat!
• An environment where you can express your unique talents and skills.
• Employee driven assistance program called the Kindness Fund which lends a helping hand to our team members encountering life challenges.
• Industry competitive compensation package including bonus potential.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and more.

NOTE: This job description is not a contract of employment. The job duties and requirements may be changed at any time, with or without notice, at the discretion of the employer to ensure the continued success of the business.

The current salary pay range for this role is: $80,000 - $90,000.

Various benefits are available for this position, including 401K, health, dental, vision and disability insurance through CPK's designated providers. CPK regularly reviews its benefits offerings and may change benefits and providers from time to time.

California Pizza Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, or any other legally protected classification. Everyone has a seat at our table.