California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPKI: 13.9, 0, 0%) gave preliminary fourth-quarter 2009 results slightly ahead of analyst expectations, but the company cut its forecast for earnings per share.
The pizza restaurant chain said earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of 15 and 17 cents, down from its November forecast for earnings between 16 and 18 cents a share.
Same-store sales are expected to come in within earlier projections at -5.5% to -6.5%. The company said revenues increased 3.8% during the quarter to $167.8 million. That compares to revenue of $161.7 million during the year-ago quarter.
Analysts were expecting California Pizza Kitchen to report revenue of $167 million, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.
The company is expected to report fourth-quarter results on Feb. 18
