Who Made Blaze Pizza? - HablemosDePeces

What is Blaze Pizza? In 2012, James invested $1 million into a growing pizza chain called Blaze. At the time, Blaze was blooming into a national chain, and James opened up a pair of restaurants in Miami and Chicago. Blaze Pizza is not your typical pizza restaurant.

Is Blaze Pizza the next Chipotle?

Founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel of Wetzel’s Pretzels, Blaze Pizza was modeled after the Chipotle concept as a made-to-order approach to serving customers. Basketball player LeBron James is one of the original investors in the chain, which is touted by Bloomberg ‘as the next Chipotle’.

When did Alshaya open its first Blaze Pizza restaurant?

In May 2018, Alshaya opened its first Blaze Pizza restaurant in Saudi Arabia in the capital city of Riyadh. In September 2018, Alshaya opened its first Blaze Pizza restaurant in Bahrain.

How Blaze Ignited a Pizza Revolution

″Every now and again, an idea bites you,″ she explains.We were leaving that meal and saying, ‘We’re going to establish a pizza business, aren’t we?’ I remember thinking to myself at the time.As a result, we looked each other in the eyes and agreed: ″Yeah, we’re going to do this.″ Instead of opening just one pizza restaurant, they decided to open two of them instead.It was 2012 when the first two Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza restaurants opened in Southern California, with one in Pasadena and one in Irvine, on the same day and simultaneously.When it came to getting the idea perfect, Rick Wetzel said he needed ″two chances at bat,″ adding that the stores were identical but located in distinct real estate contexts.Their timing was impeccable; fast casual was thriving at the time, and there were few quick, economical pizza alternatives for lunch at that time.

In a limited-service context, kitchen equipment has evolved to enable for the production of made-to-order pizzas.Wetzel claims that a press enabled Blaze to prepare dough quickly and without the need to toss it by hand, and that a wood-fired oven that had been converted to gas ″cracked the code″ on how Blaze could scale an authentic cooking experience while still serving pizzas in 2–3 minutes was a game changer.In addition, he points out, the pizza business was ripe for a shift.The fast-casual categories of burgers, chicken, sandwiches, and Mexican food had already ″fired off,″ leaving pizza as the natural next logical target.

Consumers’ eagerness to accept fast-casual pizza, he believes, may be attributed to ″our friction point,″ which he believes was ″paying for toppings.″ This is a significant step forward for the pizza category in that you can put whatever you want on it and we won’t charge you for it,″ says the chef.Chipotle was still the undisputed ruler of the fast-casual sector in 2012, serving as a model for other restaurant companies looking to establish premium, socially conscious business models in the process.The Blaze Pizza brand, according to Wetzel, served as a lighthouse for the business, which he and his team could then use as a filter for critical choices.

When he and his colleagues wanted a sense of direction or a means to address their issues, they would ask, ″WWCD?″ or ″What would Chipotle do?″ In every situation, we’d ask ourselves: ‘If we’re going to choose an oven, what would Chipotle do?’ What would Chipotle do if they had to manufacture dough, you may wonder.How would they prepare the dough?Would they make it from frozen or from scratch?Blaze’s crew decided to go with the freshly made dough.They also pushed for raw ingredients, sophisticated beverage choices, and distinctive store-design aspects that rejected trade dress, all of which are Chipotle trademarks and distinguishing characteristics.Because Chipotle had done so, they even went so far as to create a second make line in every kitchen.

At the time, it wasn’t clear what the restaurants would do with them, as delivery was not initially envisioned as a component of the idea.However, the third-party delivery boom that has occurred in recent years has made the choice appear prophetic.The firm is backed by an excellent executive team, which includes chief culinary officer Bradford Kent, who formerly owned the Zagat-rated Los Angeles pizzeria Olio, and chief development officer Carolyn Canady, who previously worked for Buffalo Wild Wings, among others.High-profile investors, such as Maria Shriver and Boston Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner, as well as basketball sensation LeBron James, who served as a spokesperson and starred in the 2016 ad, were among the first to go on board (see sidebar for more).

Having put these components in place, Blaze had laid the groundwork for what would become a fast-casual empire that has yet to reach its zenith.
Mizes, who joined Blaze in 2013 following a successful career in which he built businesses such as Freebirds World Burrito, Jamba Juice, and Noah’s New York Bagels, believes there is still more work to be done.
In his words, ″A brand is like a piece of stone that you’re continually shaping in order to eventually produce the completed thing.″ ″You never get to the finish line, but the objective is that you’re continually working on the foundation of the brand while also adjusting to what’s going on in society,″ says the designer.
This is a legitimate brand.

Blaze has achieved incredible levels of success thus far.
In its first five years, the company opened 200 sites, earning it the title of ″fastest-growing restaurant chain ever″ from the Technomic research firm.
Its 300th branch, in Miami, debuted in November, and the firm expects to launch a new restaurant every five or six days this year, with the 500th facility expected to open by 2021, according to the company.

Blaze’s average unit volume today, according to Wetzel, is around $1.4 million, which is more than the combined average unit volume of the six largest national pizza franchises.
Customers seem to be responding well to the brand; a Harris EquiTrend survey of more than 77,000 U.S.
consumers in 2018 indicated that Blaze was the nation’s favorite pizza chain.
Blaze Pizza is a well-established company.

It is a legitimate brand that must adapt in order to function as the national chain that it has become.
According to Mizes, ″the world has changed as we’ve grown from zero to 300, and the world will change even more when we expand from 300 to 600.″ ″How will you continue to deal with the waves of technological change?″ What is the demographic makeup of the workforce?
What is it about the significance of convenience and value that has such a profound influence on everyone working in the foodservice industry?″ He believes that the goal is to guarantee that Blaze is not just effective at the shop level, but also efficient across the board, particularly for the benefit of franchisees.
Blaze operated in 42 states with 55 franchise groups by the end of 2018, according to Mizes, and this has forced the firm to think considerably more about efficiency in its supply chain in recent years.

He also emphasizes the importance of the media in the implementation of this national policy.For the most part, Blaze has concentrated on efficient local-store marketing and public relations, but the company now has to act more like a national brand through media buying and a bigger social media push.With regard to the technological component, Blaze is investing in cutting-edge developments.The firm is investigating if it can utilize technology to expedite the ordering process, which is particularly important during the lunch period.

It has now launched a new app that will aid in the tracking of guest usage and the enhancement of the ordering experience—particularly for younger customers.The company prides itself on ″being out in front of utilizing technology to enhance the visitor experience, especially for millennials and Generation Z, where it’s all about convenience,″ adds Mizes.It will be more convenient for customers, as well as more convenient for our staff working in the restaurants to serve them, says the company.

Take, for example, delivery.In order to differentiate itself from its competitors in the quick-serve industry, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s, Blaze wanted to be a dine-in concept rather than an off-premises idea.As a result, delivery was not included in the company’s initial business strategy.After the explosion of third-party delivery services, Blaze collaborated with the main providers and connected its platform with Olo, allowing for more convenient ordering through mobile apps.That second production line that the firm erected while copying Chipotle will now be able to pay its dues; according to Wetzel, delivery may help boost AUV to almost $2 million.

There are further irons in Blaze’s fire that might open even more doors for the business in the future; for example, the Wetzels and Mizes suggest that the firm is looking into drive-thru versions in the near future.
For the time being, however, Elise Wetzel believes that Blaze’s most effective tactic in dominating the pizza sector will be the addition of new locations to its existing areas.
″To be honest with you, the majority of individuals in this nation have not yet gone through the door of a Blaze Pizza,″ she explains.
″We are still very much a new and rising company,″ says the founder.
While our brand is becoming more well-known, the possibility to create new restaurants will assist us in spreading the word about our company.″ Riding the crest of the wave If Blaze Pizza’s success had occurred in a vacuum, it would have been one of the most unexpected occurrences in the history of the chain restaurant industry.
The pace with which it established restaurants, the talent it attracted, and the passion with which it ingrained itself into the lives of consumers are unmatched in the industry.

It is, after all, the restaurant industry, and in a post-Chipotle, post-foodie world, it is rare that a concept achieves widespread acceptance and success.For example, better burgers and frozen yogurt followed a model established by other categories prior to fast-casual pizza, in which a successful culinary trend sparks an exodus of firms eager to get a piece of the action in the next big thing.That is to say, Blaze ascended to the top of the food industry on the back of a wave that includes dozens of other fast-casual pizza restaurants.Pieology, PizzaRev, MidiCi, Pizza Studio, 800 Degrees, and The Pizza Press are just a few of the companies that have set up shop in Southern California.You’ll find a slew of other restaurants that follow Blaze’s approach, such as Your Pie, Rapid Fired Pizza, Firenza Pizza, &pizza, Uncle Maddio’s, and Pie Five, among many more, each with its own take on the concept, with varying degrees of success.

— Elise Wetzel ″What we’ve discovered is that it’s critical that when a visitor goes into the restaurant, there is something there that they haven’t seen before, that they haven’t snapped a photo of before,″ — Elise Wetzel There’s also MOD Pizza, which is the only other fast-casual pizza brand to reach 300 units in the United States (it recently opened No.
400).
With the help of former Starbucks CEO Scott Svenson, who launched the Seattle-based restaurant in 2008, the two have been competing for fast-casual pizza dominance ever since Blaze joined the fray.
The Wetzels aren’t blind to their rivals’ existence.
The company’s founder, Rick Wetzel, recalls that ″by the time we arrived, there were already a number of other fast-casual ideas in the field—not just pizza, but a lot of various categories.″ ″As a result, our environment has always been far more competitive than others.

″It has a slight effect on the way our DNA is constructed.″ As a result of the company’s DNA, he says, it has learned how to ″adapt continually,″ which has resulted in moves like as introducing alternative crusts to the menu and inventing the $5 Lunch Hack offer, which allows customers to buy a half pizza with as many toppings as they want for $5.It also had franchising in its DNA; unlike MOD, the Wetzels constructed Blaze from the ground up to be a franchise firm, and they devised infrastructure that could support 1,000 or more locations in the future.When the fast-casual pizza craze turned into a frenzied dash for real estate, Blaze’s incredible variety of franchise partners was in the greatest position to take advantage of the opportunity.

Foodservice Results CEO and founder Darren Tristano says that while the pizza market is already robust—generating approximately $40–$42 billion in annual sales, according to Tristano—the fast-casual pizza market was an underdeveloped niche that has been able to thrive during lunch and on weekdays, which have traditionally been slow times for quick-serve pizza chains.
Blaze, he continues, has a silver lining as a result of the competition: It raises public knowledge of and increases demand for a fast-casual pizza product line.
And, as Blaze has established itself in the majority of cities across the United States, it is well-positioned to benefit on that need in the long run.
Furthermore, Blaze is being pushed to perform at a high level by the competition.

″They’re attempting to distinguish themselves from MOD particularly, but in the process of raising the standard even higher, they’re also attempting to distinguish themselves from other companies in the market, such as Pizza Hut and Domino’s,″ Tristano explains.This, I believe, will be beneficial to a generation that is striving for quality and originality.It is also true that this same generation expects quality and freshness from other foodservice businesses, and the Blaze team asserts that they consider all food to be competition, from fast serves like McDonald’s to casual restaurants like Applebee’s and even grocery stores like Whole Foods.And, according to Rick Wetzel, with almost all of these experiences now accessible for delivery at the touch of a smartphone button, the playing field has been leveled.This has compelled Blaze to maintain his offensive strategy, and pizza lovers all around the country are better off as a result.When it comes to attracting customers, Elise Wetzel believes that ″it is critical that when a guest enters into the restaurant that there is something that they haven’t seen before, that they haven’t snapped a photo of before.″ In the past, I’d said to myself, ″We have 40 components, therefore there are a million different pizzas you could make, so why would we need to innovate?″ However, as we’ve grown and changed, we’ve discovered that this is something that our visitors find quite significant and valuable.″

Blaze Pizza, How A Brand Remains Timely And Culturally Relevant

Blaze Pizza, a company widely regarded as a pioneer in the ″Build Your Own″ pizza industry, has always placed a premium on high-quality ingredients, customisation, and environmentally conscious business methods.As the essential components of the Blaze Pizza brand, co-founder and chief culinary officer Brad Kent maintains a close eye on these things, which are always evolving.In today’s CEO Q&A, we’ll talk about how to keep a brand current and topical in a world when the restaurant business is being driven to innovate at breakneck speed.The present labor scarcity, digital innovation, growing costs of goods, environmental sustainability, marketing, and developing a brand in today’s hard business climate are all topics that Mr.Kent discusses candidly.Gary Occhiogrosso (Gary Occhiogrosso): Please tell me a little bit about your previous experience in the restaurant business.

What brought you to Blaze Pizza in the first place?Brad Kent: I’d want to thank you for your time.More than 25 years have passed since I began my career in the restaurant sector, and food science has always been a particular interest of mine.Throughout my professional career, I’ve devoted a large amount of time and attention to researching and developing non-thermal food preservation techniques, with a particular emphasis on using all-natural substances to improve flavor and texture.

My profession has encouraged me to use my knowledge and study to create my own restaurant idea, which I am now developing.When I moved to California in 2008, I was inspired by my passion for pizza to start the world’s first mobile wood-fired pizza business in Los Angeles, which was launched in 2009.Farmers Market Pizza was the name we chose for the company, which we then promoted in local farmer’s markets across Los Angeles.

The following year, I opened Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria, which I still own and run today and which is frequently recognized as one of the top pizza restaurants in Los Angeles.My early years in the pizza industry led me to understand that there was a need in the quick-service market for a pizza concept that was committed to fresh ingredients and personalization while still running an efficient and consistent operation.I decided to create that idea.In order to address this need, we founded Blaze Pizza in 2011, breaking new ground as the first company to provide a DIY approach to the pizza industry.The ‘Blaze Your Way’ approach we take at each of the more than 340 locations we have today has generated an enthusiastic following among consumers throughout the country who continue to fall in love with our handmade pizzas and made to order selections.Occhiogrosso: When creating the first Blaze Pizza menu, how did you prioritize the needs of future franchisees and operators of franchised stores in your mind?

Kent: When creating the first Blaze menu, we considered the owners and operators of future franchised sites at the forefront of our thoughts.As we looked for methods to differentiate our menu options from those of other quick-service pizza concepts, we realized that it was critical to keep the quantity of dishes on the menu from becoming too overwhelming for our employees.When you give customers greater control over their orders and provide customisable alternatives, you may increase brand loyalty, which is incredibly beneficial for rising restaurant companies wanting to expand their reach over state boundaries and into new markets.Franchisees might incur significant costs as a result of shifting processes on a regular basis to accommodate menu expansion.

Because we don’t want to burden our operators with the ongoing addition and editing of signature pizzas, we’ve shifted our focus away from that and toward the introduction of new components that consumers may include into their own customized creations.
Occhiogrosso: Blaze Pizza is known for its ability to customize orders.
In what ways has the brand’s Bring Your Own (BYO) philosophy assisted in the brand’s expansion since its inception?
Kent: The build-your-own strategy has been at the heart of Blaze Pizza’s operations from the company’s founding.

We have been able to establish smooth procedures that are appealing to prospective franchisees because of their operational efficiency and the small number of training hours required for the personnel as a result of prioritizing this functional aspect.
Efficiency, based on my personal experience and conversations with other business owners and operators, continues to be extremely important to them.
Customers who are looking for a more personalized experience than a one size fits all menu style will find it on Blaze’s BYO menu, which, unlike many other quick-service pizza concepts, allows our operators to capture the loyalty and business of customers who are looking for a more personalized experience than a one size fits all menu style This strategy has resulted to a successful 2021 on the development side, with the signature of six multi-unit franchise agreements for the construction of 22 additional units, as well as the opening of 14 new sites in major areas such as Texas and Florida, among others.

This momentum has fueled our franchise expansion initiatives and has placed our brand in a better position for success in the fourth quarter of 2021 and beyond.
Occhiogrosso: Because of the changes that have occurred over the last two years, the majority of quick-service restaurant companies have begun to shift their focus to digital platforms.
What investments in innovation has Blaze made to adapt to this new normal?
Kent: Blaze has traditionally been a dine-in concept, with on-premise dining accounting for 80 percent of total sales in 2019.

To manage the difficulties of 2020, we relied on our strong leadership team, outstanding franchisee collaboration, and digital innovation.
We didn’t hesitate to pivot and react swiftly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; within three weeks of the outbreak, we implemented a new curbside carryout method systemwide, as well as establishing a unique QR code to distribute contactless menus.
After acting quickly and implementing these two components, our brand saw a 155% boost in digital sales and a 16% rise in curbside sales as a consequence of our quick response.
Recently, we released a new version of our mobile application, which was completely redesigned.

In order to better understand what our consumers liked about the previous app and what they wanted to see in the future, our digital and marketing teams conducted extensive research.They used the information gleaned from this research to develop features that directly cater to guest preferences.Please keep in mind that our internet business now accounts for 40% of our revenues, with in-store transactions accounting for 60% of our total sales in 2018.Our ability to expand and succeed in the digital age will be important in the future, given the growing demand from customers for ease and accessibility.

We are continually on the lookout for innovations that will not only improve the efficiency of our operations, but will also allow us to build a more personal relationship with our regular and new clients.Occhiogrosso: What is it about a reduced menu that makes it appealing to potential franchisees?Kent: Franchisees enjoy it when a company stays true to its core values and does what it does well.

As opposed to introducing new products to the menu that are inconsistent with the overall idea, I feel it is critical that we remain true to our heritage and the fundamentals on which Blaze was founded.Simplifying does not imply a state of stagnation.We are dedicated to the skill of pizza making and are in a unique position to provide consumers with the ability to modify their favorite pizza masterpieces without losing taste or quality in the process.When it comes to the Blaze concept, the menu is crucial to its identity, and operators are committed to keeping it as basic as possible while still providing the one-of-a-kind customer experience that the brand is known for.Making operations too complicated and asking franchisees to change their menus every few months is neither logical nor cost-effective.

Occhiogrosso: What is it about Blaze Pizza’s strategy that appeals to customers?
What is it about your visitor experience that is unique?
Kent: When customers go into one of our restaurants and proceed to the counter, we provide them with a blank canvas on which they may express themselves and create the pizza uniquely theirs.
We created the build-your-own procedure to be a fun and immersive eating experience that keeps guests engaged throughout the whole process.
Guests can witness their pizza being constructed from behind the glass as it is assembled and then placed in the baking oven.
It’s gratifying to see our guests’ positive experiences resonating in new markets as we grow throughout the country.

Occhiogrosso: So, how does Blaze Pizza strike a balance between adhering to its core menu while still embracing product innovation?Kent: We understand that people like having a range of eating alternatives when it comes to their dining experience.Despite the fact that we have simplified our menu and promoted our build-your-own pizzas, we continue to explore for innovative ways to push the boundaries and excite our customers when they visit our restaurants.In order to be effective, we must be strategic and timely in the menu changes that we implement.While the hard seltzer craze was in full swing in June 2019, we created a dish that used the famous mango-flavored White Claw hard seltzer, which was used to replace 100 percent of the water in the pizza dough.

″White Claw Pizza″ was created by combining this crust with our distinctive red sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, roasted red pepper, fresh jalapenos, and arugula to create a unique flavor combination.
Pineapples were placed on top of the pizza to provide a complementary flavor to the mango dough.
It was only available at 20 places for one day, but consumers were so taken with it that they asked for it to be brought back in the future.
Occhiogrosso: What strategies do you use to reach Blaze’s target demographic and customers?
Do you have any intentions to adjust your strategy in the future?

Kent: Our consumer base has a tendency to be on the younger side, but it is also very family-focused.What this implies is that our visitors like engaging with companies that allow them to express themselves while also meeting their various demands.We’re catering to our consumers in more ways than one with our diverse selection of healthier toppings and ingredients.

It’s a strategy that has proven successful and will continue to make significant contributions to the unstoppable momentum we’ve gained in recent years.
Occhiogrosso: What precautions does Blaze take to ensure that quality is maintained in the middle of its widespread expansion throughout time?
Kent: Our clients are concerned about the quality of the food they consume and the source of the food they consume.
That is the primary purpose for their visit to Blaze.

We continually exceed our customers’ expectations by going to great efforts to guarantee that the ingredients we use are obtained with care and are of the highest quality possible.We must work closely with vendors that share our values and do not deviate from what we consider to be vital in order to maintain this high level of quality and customer service.Our cuisine speaks for itself, and we’ve continued to innovate and enhance wherever feasible in order to present our devoted customers with the greatest eating experience available in the fast-casual pizza market.It has been a crucial distinction for us since our start since we have never faltered in our dedication to using only fresh foods devoid of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners.This has helped us to gain significant momentum throughout the year, particularly in the last few months, and we have the best of the best bringing Blaze to markets when and where it makes the most sense for them to be introduced.During the year 2022, we will continue to concentrate our franchise growth efforts on markets such as the Northeast and Texas.

Occhiogrosso: What are the advantages of Blaze’s menu and product offers from the perspective of business operations?We keep our restaurant operations simple since our menu is designed to give a BYO immersive ordering experience.This allows our customers to effortlessly construct the pizza that best suits their mood and appetites.

Our crew walks each client through the many processes of creating their pizza, and then then bake it in the oven after the consumer is completely happy with their creation.
This not only expedites the process, but it also naturally encourages the provision of additional customer assistance that customers may not otherwise obtain at other quick-service concepts.
Additionally, it provides the ability for the owner and operators to onboard new employees without the need for the traditional number of training hours.
Occhiogrosso: What has been the impact of the labor shortage on Blaze franchisees, given the number of team members necessary to service a single visitor, and what has Blaze done to assist its franchise community is unclear.

Kent: It is not just some of our franchisees who have been hit by the labor shortage; it is all of them.As a result, we are not only redesigning our marketing efforts that reach customers, but we are also putting more emphasis on team members.This includes making improvements to the music played in the stores, upgrading uniforms, and creating a more comfortable environment for employees to express themselves in their work environments.Customer expression via their own pizza creations is important to us, and we want our staff to express themselves through the hard work and devotion they put in every day at Blaze.

When it comes to employee recruitment and retention, a safe, pleasant, and welcoming atmosphere goes a long way.
We are also continuously searching for methods to limit the number of prep processes and new product rollouts in order to avoid overburdening our personnel with too many new innovations.
This helps to keep our locations from becoming chaotic.
Occhiogrosso: What are some of the operational alterations that must be done when new items are introduced to the list of available options?
What steps does Blaze take to simplify these procedures throughout the organization?
Kent: When we add a new signature pizza to our menu, we consider the following factors: sourcing and distribution, food safety, operational convenience, and price.

Providing that all of those boxes are checked, we will be able to take the product into a testing phase.The test confirms our operational simplicity and aids in the identification of chances to further simplify things.One of the steps decided upon during the testing process is being considerate of where the additional ingredients will be placed in the assembly line.We want to make sure that any new additions don’t cause a snag in the staff’s workflow and that the prep time remains low in order to provide customers with the quick service that they have come to expect when they dine at Blaze.A new menu item implies a new recipe, which in turn implies the addition of new components.Our restaurants and distributors will need to receive and manage the new product(s) properly, therefore we must produce training materials for them.

It consists of specifications and quality inspections, as well as safe handling and storage procedures.
We also create training films and written manuals for our training teams to use on the field when they go out to work.
When addressing regional and religious demands for our partners in the Middle East and Canada, special considerations are taken for our overseas sites.

Occhiogrosso: In light of the constant media coverage of supply shortages, what changes, if any, has Blaze been compelled to make to its offerings, and how have its franchisees responded?Kent: Additionally, we have Marie Zhang, who has extensive experience as a panelist/advisor at the University of Southern California’s Global Supply Chain Management program, who is in charge of our supply chain efforts at Blaze Pizza.Working with large companies like as Focus Brands and Yum!Brands, she is a relentless advocate for our franchisees, collaborating with our vendors to guarantee total transparency and the best possible conditions for all of our locations.

Our strong quality control system allows us to take a variety of approaches to managing a shortfall if a shop is running low on a particular item.
A validated list of ″similar components″ that may be generated through the distributor or local markets as a last option, in the event of a scarcity, would be the final resort in this situation.
Occhiogrosso: Is there anything Blaze has done to alleviate or provide assistance to its franchisees in regards to the substantial spike in the cost of items that is now going place throughout the whole restaurant industry?
Kent: Our overall cost of products is lower this year than it was the previous year.
We attribute our success to our micro efforts to collaborate with vendors and suppliers, as well as macro impacts on goods such as cheese, which have all contributed to our success.
A world-class staff is ready to support our franchisees and collaborate with them to guarantee that we do everything we can to guide them through the problems that the restaurant sector may confront.

Occhiogrosso: What does the future hold for Blaze Pizza in terms of its menu and technological advancements in the next years?As we go forward in the months and years ahead, we will continue to place a high priority on the quality of our ingredients, vendor partnerships, and sustainability activities.As a versatile meal that has evolved into America’s national dish over time, it is critical that we remain timely and culturally relevant by paying close attention to nutrition and consumer trends in order to satisfy everyone who dines at a Blaze Pizza restaurant.Because we will always strive to push the boundaries of pizza making, our guests can expect to see new and exciting options as well as the highest-quality ingredients available for them to use in their creations in the future.Pizza has remained a cuisine that is deeply ingrained in our society.In order to keep this basic, long-lived, and historic product current and one of America’s favorite foods, innovation is a continual and important process.

LeBron James Invested in a No-Name Pizza Joint and Now He’s $35 Million Richer

It comes as no surprise to those who follow LeBron James’ professional trajectory that he has a wide range of interests outside of basketball.The fact that James has proven to be just as successful a businessman as he has been a basketball player has been demonstrated in a variety of endeavors, including producing music for superstar rappers, producing and acting in Hollywood productions, and launching his own brand of workout supplements.One single investment, on the other hand, may prove to be more beneficial than all of the others together.

What is Blaze Pizza?

In 2012, James made a $1 million investment in Blaze, a rapidly expanding pizza franchise.At the time, Blaze was rapidly expanding into a nationwide franchise, and James launched a pair of locations in Miami and Chicago to capitalize on the opportunity.Blaze Pizza isn’t your normal pizza restaurant in the traditional sense.In contrast to the majority of pizzerias, Blaze creates individual pizzas in a brick oven that can be entirely personalized by clients and are intended for delivery, takeout, or as part of a class dinner for a birthday celebration.Much as Chipotle does with burritos or Subway does with sandwiches, customers at Blaze travel down a line and tell staff exactly what sorts of toppings they want on their burritos or sandwiches before placing their orders.It is possible to get creative with your pizza toppings, ranging from the traditional (pepperoni, sausage, olives and mushrooms) to the unusual (corn).

What consumers can do is virtually limitless, and for the proper price, they may customize their pizza with as many or as few toppings as they choose.If his social media account is to be believed, James orders a pizza with as many as 16 different toppings.The excellent pizzas are complemented by a range of fruit-flavored beverages that guests may enjoy as they dine.If they still have room for dessert, they can indulge in an old-fashioned campfire treat known as a s’more.

On one of the most popular cuisines in the country, Blaze presents a casual dining rendition that is sure to please.When James made his investment, he recognized this.

How much has LeBron James made?

During the period 2012-2017, LeBron James’ $1 million investment increased in value to a $35 million investment.Because of the amount of money that is being invested in the firm, it must be a profitable venture.Incorporating athletes’ financial interests into the restaurant industry is not a novel notion, but James’ success with Blaze stands out among even the most famous athletes who have taken on such a venture.Blaze has surpassed McDonald’s as the fastest-growing food chain in the history of the United States.Many Blaze events have been attended by James throughout the years, including one in which he dressed as an employee for the purpose of filming a viral video and spoke about the firm on more than one occasion.In fact, James’ own venue, The Staples Center, has a Blaze in the building, but it was there long before James even donned a Los Angeles Lakers uniform there.

James currently has a total of 19 Blaze Pizza franchises, with more on the way.This investment, together with a number of other wise financial moves, has resulted in his becoming a very rich individual.One issue, though, may cause some individuals to ponder is what this means.Is James a billionaire or a millionaire?

Is LeBron James a billionaire?

Only a few of sportsmen can lay claim to belonging to the elite billionaire’s club.Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan were among those who did it.Roger Federer is getting closer and closer to joining the club with each passing minute.James, on the other hand, is not a member.At least for the time being.James is now estimated to be worth $450 million, according to the most current Forbes assessment.

This may seem like a long way off from being a billionaire, but Jordan only recently become a member of the billionaire’s club.Many of James’ investments, including films, businesses, and other ventures are still in the early phases of development.Even without his lifelong Nike contract, he is reputedly worth $1 billion on his own, but the exact figures are still being worked out.James has established himself as one of the most astute businessmen in the history of professional sports.

His increasing investment in Blaze is only a modest indication of this, which is part of a larger picture….

Blaze Pizza Signs New Franchise Agreement to Propel Expansion Across Tennessee

This year’s impressive performance by a leading fast-casual pizza concept will translate into continued growth with experienced multi-unit operators.- LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – The City of Los Angeles is launching a new public transportation system.Blaze Pizza, the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, announced today the signing of a new franchise agreement to expand the brand’s presence across Chattanooga, bringing three new units to the city.Blaze Pizza is the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, according to the National Franchise Association.The announcement comes at an exciting time in the company’s development, which has been fuelled by an outstanding year for the rapidly expanding pizza business.Blaze Pizza had strong countrywide expansion in 2021, with to the addition of 14 new locations in major target regions such as Texas, Florida, Nevada, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California.

Blaze Pizza is headquartered in Austin, Texas.In addition to an 18 percent increase in same-store sales, the company’s investments in operational efficiencies, combined with the ongoing roll-outs of innovative LTOs and best-in-class products, translated into an addition of 34 new restaurants to its growth pipeline as a result of strategic multi-unit development efforts.″While the year 2021 was not without its difficulties, Blaze Pizza’s momentum remained strong as we celebrated the inauguration of new locations and negotiated multi-unit agreements to extend our brand across the country.The past year, Blaze has made significant investments in a strong support system, including improvements to operations and the introduction of new digital innovations.

These efforts have helped the company attract established franchisees looking to diversify their portfolios with a proven concept ″Blaze Pizza’s vice president of franchise development, Ed Yancey, shared his thoughts.This recent agreement will allow us to grow our presence in the highly competitive market of Chattanooga, and we look forward to assisting our newest franchisee as they expose people throughout Tennessee to the one-of-a-kind Blaze experience,″ says the company.Blaze Pizza’s 2022 development plans will be kicked off by multi-unit operator Robert Martino of Chattanooga Best Pizza, LLC, who has agreed to create three new units over the following several years across Chattanooga.

With the help of Tony Whaley, who will serve as general manager of operations, Martino plans to build his first restaurant by the fall of 2022.A combined total of more than 30 years in the restaurant sector is brought to bear by this team.″Real estate development veterans like myself are able to quickly identify firms who are doing things well, such as Blaze Pizza, by observing their operations.I was introduced to the brand in the same way that most of us were – as a consumer and enthusiast.The product Blaze provides is genuinely unequaled by anybody else in the industry, and when I was approached with the prospect of becoming a franchisee with the brand, I didn’t hesitate to accept ″Martino expressed himself.″I have a thorough grasp of the Chattanooga market, and as a long-time fan of Blaze myself, I have no doubt that the community will fall in love with the brand’s quality, fresh ingredients and trademark customized menu selections,″ said the owner of the new restaurant.

In addition to Martino’s future Blaze eateries, the developer has a bevy of other projects in the works, including The Gateway, which will be centered by CHI Memorial Stadium and will span over 110 acres in Chattanooga and East Ridge.In addition to luxury townhouses and apartments, the Gateway will contain craft brewers, entertainment, offices, stores, and event spaces.Martino’s Blaze Pizza restaurants will also be part of the development.The Gateway will be one of the largest mixed-use developments in the town’s history.

BLAZE Pizza is now engaged in an aggressive growth and is eager to expand its burgeoning brand by acquiring competent franchisees.
Franchise possibilities are still available in a number of locations across the United States, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and major regions in the Northeast.
Contact Ed Yancey at [email protected] if you would like to learn more about development possibilities with Blaze Pizza, or visit their website.
Concerning Blaze Pizza Blaze Pizza, which was founded in 2011, is the nation’s top fast-casual pizza franchise concept, with more than 340 locations in 38 states and six countries.

Based in Los Angeles, Blaze Pizza is dedicated to providing customers with an unrivaled customer experience as well as unsurpassed high-quality goods and services.
In addition to its mouthwatering gourmet pizzas and customized made-to-order menu using fresh, natural ingredients devoid of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners, Blaze is a leader in the industry in terms of menu innovation and product excellence, according to the company.
The fast expanding brand has garnered multiple honors, including a position on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, as well as1 spots on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers and Franchise Times’ Fast and Serious list, among other distinctions.

To learn more about Blaze Pizza, visit blazepizza.com or follow them on Twitter @BlazePizza.
Ashley BennettFish [email protected] BennettFish Consulting For multimedia downloads, you must first see the source content: Blaze Pizza Markets Insider and Business Insider are two publications that cover the pizza industry.
The development of this piece did not include any members of the editorial team.

blaze pizza

Location 0 0 Username 0 0 Begin by writing a review of Blaze Pizza. Blaze Pizza, founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel of Wetzels Pretzels, was inspired by Chipotle’s approach to serving customers, which is created to order on the spot. Blaze Pizza To Open First Minnesota Restaurant In Slp St Louis Park Real Estate Experts Blaze Pizza To Open First Minnesota Restaurant In Slp

If you signed up for Blaze Rewards before the end of the day on March 14 2022 your Pi Day reward can be used online or in-restaurant with any qualifying Blaze Rewards account at participating locations.

Tips for Getting a Discount on Blaze Pizza Joining Blazers means becoming part of a team that spans the globe, a group of independent thinkers who recognize that our diversity actually make us stronger as a group of individuals.Check your Blaze Goodies account at any time, and when you have enough Flames to cash in, tap your way to taking home free pizza salads desserts and other fantastic rewards..Blaze Pizza is a fast-casual eating restaurant brand headquartered in Pasadena, California, that specializes on pizza.There is a limit of one Pi Day Reward per person.Hours of Operation 1644 S Entertainment Ave, Boise, ID 83709, United States Find out how to get there.Change the information about your company.

Recommendations for Reviews Because we value your trust above all else, companies cannot pay to have their reviews altered or removed.We always place a high importance on the individuals who make the pizza.Come and Forge Your Own Path.Okay, here’s how it works.

Every time you come, scan the app and you’ll earn one Flame for every dollar you spend.Its pizza masters meticulously construct each and every slice of pizza in a roaring-hot oven.Deliveries may be made in as little as 30 minutes.

180 seconds of fast-fired excellence in a blazing oven devoted to pizzasmiths.Pizzas made by Blaze Pizza are artisanal in nature and made using high-quality ingredients.Puyallup, Washington (WA) 0 1 242022.Founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel of Wetzels Pretzels as a made-to-order manner of serving clients modeled after the Chipotle concept, Blaze Pizza has grown into a successful business.Valid till the 31st of March, 2022.Prices and delivery are provided by Doordash.

49 953 people have given their opinions.Delivery.Locations of Blaze Pizza may be found here.Menu de l’écran principal Signature There are several options to satisfy the craftsman in you.

Meat Eater pepperoni crumbled meatballs with marinara sauce red sauce with red onion and mozzarella Artichokes for Art Lovers mozzarella red sauce with ricotta and garlic diced dollops The color green is used as a stripe.
Pizza, pasta, salad, and desserts are all available.
A fast-casual dining restaurant business based in Pasadena, California, Blaze Pizza serves pizza and other fast-casual foods.
You may find a job elsewhere, but with Blaze Pizza, you’re establishing a foundation for your future.

Prices for Blaze Pizza’s Menu in 2021 Conclusion: Blaze’s goal is to have over 800 stores by the year 2025.
More information may be found in the app’s reward.
There’s everything you need and a whole lot more you didn’t even realize you wanted in the Blaze Pizza applications.

LeBron James, a professional basketball player, is one of the company’s founding investors.
Every piece of pizza packaging at Blaze Pizza is constructed completely of recyclable, biodegradable, or post-consumer recycled materials, so you can rest certain that your purchase is helping to protect the environment.
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There are also vegan recipes for plant-based pizza and vegan recipes for vegan pizza.

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Blaze Pizza signs new franchise agreement to propel expansion across Tennessee

Blaze Pizza’s 2022 development plans will be kicked off by multi-unit operator Robert Martino of Chattanooga Best Pizza, LLC, who has agreed to create three new units over the following several years across Chattanooga.The successful year of a leading fast-casual pizza concept paves the way for ongoing expansion with experienced multi-location operators.Blaze Pizza, the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, announced today the signing of a new franchise agreement to expand the brand’s presence across Chattanooga, bringing three new units to the city.Blaze Pizza is the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, according to the National Franchise Association.The announcement comes at an exciting time in the company’s development, which has been fuelled by an outstanding year for the rapidly expanding pizza business.Blaze Pizza had strong countrywide expansion in 2021, with to the addition of 14 new locations in major target regions such as Texas, Florida, Nevada, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California.

Blaze Pizza is headquartered in Austin, Texas.In addition to an 18 percent increase in same-store sales, the company’s investments in operational efficiencies, combined with the ongoing roll-outs of innovative LTOs and best-in-class products, translated into an addition of 34 new restaurants to its growth pipeline as a result of strategic multi-unit development efforts.Blaze Pizza’s momentum proved to be strong in the face of adversity in 2021, as we celebrated the launch of new locations and negotiated multi-unit agreements to spread our brand across the country.In recent years, Blaze has invested in a strong support system, which has included improvements to operations and the introduction of new digital innovations.

″These efforts have continued to attract established franchisees who are looking to diversify their portfolios with a proven concept,″ said Ed Yancey, vice president of franchise development for Blaze.This recent agreement will allow us to grow our presence in the highly competitive market of Chattanooga, and we look forward to assisting our newest franchisee as they expose people throughout Tennessee to the one-of-a-kind Blaze experience,″ says the company.Blaze Pizza’s 2022 development plans will be kicked off by multi-unit operator Robert Martino of Chattanooga Best Pizza, LLC, who has agreed to create three new units over the following several years across Chattanooga.

With the help of Tony Whaley, who will serve as general manager of operations, Martino plans to build his first restaurant by the fall of 2022.A combined total of more than 30 years in the restaurant sector is brought to bear by this team.In my experience, real estate development veterans such as myself can identify organizations who are doing things correctly, such as Blaze Pizza.I was introduced to the brand in the same way that most of us were – as a consumer and enthusiast.″The product Blaze provides is genuinely unequaled by anybody else in the industry, and when the opportunity to franchise with the brand was provided to me, I didn’t hesitate to accept,″ Martino stated.″I have a thorough grasp of the Chattanooga market, and as a long-time fan of Blaze myself, I have no doubt that the community will fall in love with the brand’s quality, fresh ingredients and trademark customized menu selections,″ said the owner of the new restaurant.

BLAZE Pizza is now engaged in an aggressive growth and is eager to expand its burgeoning brand by acquiring competent franchisees.
Franchise possibilities are still available in a number of locations across the United States, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and major regions in the Northeast.
Interested parties can contact Ed Yancey at for further information on growth opportunities with Blaze Pizza.
Concerning Blaze Pizza Blaze Pizza, which was founded in 2011, is the nation’s top fast-casual pizza franchise concept, with more than 340 locations in 38 states and six countries.

Based in Los Angeles, Blaze Pizza is dedicated to providing customers with an unrivaled customer experience as well as unsurpassed high-quality goods and services.
In addition to its mouthwatering gourmet pizzas and customized made-to-order menu using fresh, natural ingredients devoid of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and sweeteners, Blaze is a leader in the industry in terms of menu innovation and product excellence, according to the company.
To learn more about Blaze Pizza, visit blazepizza.com or follow them on Twitter @BlazePizza.