California Pizza Kitchen Co-Founder Says State Has Grown Too Costly for Entrepreneurs

Rick Rosenfield cites rising labor costs and bureaucracy in weighing Florida over California

The co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen said he would choose to open a business in Florida rather than California today, pointing to rising labor costs and increased regulatory burden in his home state, according to Fox News.

Rick Rosenfield's comments add a prominent voice to a long-running debate over California's business climate, as entrepreneurs and companies weigh the state's high costs against its large consumer market and workforce.

Rosenfield co-founded California Pizza Kitchen, a chain that built its identity around the state's name and culinary reputation, making his critique notable. He cited bureaucracy and labor expenses as key factors that would steer him toward other states if he were starting out now.

The remarks come amid broader scrutiny of California's regulatory and tax environment, which business owners across industries have cited as a factor in decisions to relocate or expand elsewhere, including to lower-cost states such as Florida and Texas.

— Compiled from reporting by Fox News.