Blaze Pizza: Difference between revisions
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{{Undisclosed paid|date=January 2020}} |
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{{Short description|American fast-casual pizza chain}} |
{{Short description|American fast-casual pizza chain}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| logo_caption = |
| logo_caption = |
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| image = Blaze Pizza, Tallahassee.jpg |
| image = Blaze Pizza, Tallahassee.jpg |
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| image_caption = Blaze Pizza in Tallahassee, Florida, |
| image_caption = Blaze Pizza in Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
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| type = [[Private company|Private]] |
| type = [[Private company|Private]] |
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| genre = [[Fast-casual restaurant]] |
| genre = [[Fast-casual restaurant]] |
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| hq_location_city = [[ |
| hq_location_city = [[Atlanta, Georgia]] |
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| hq_location_country = United States |
| hq_location_country = United States |
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| foundation = {{start date and age|2011}} in California |
| foundation = {{start date and age|2011}} in [[Pasadena, California]] |
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| founders = Elise and Rick Wetzel |
| founders = Elise and Rick Wetzel |
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| locations = 300+ |
| locations = 300+ |
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| area_served = United States, Canada |
| area_served = United States, Canada, Bahrain |
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| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Rick Wetzel (Co-Founder) |
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Rick Wetzel (Co-Founder) |
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|Elise Wetzel (Co-Founder) |
|Elise Wetzel (Co-Founder) |
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|Brad Kent ([[Executive Chef]]) |
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|Beto Guajardo ([[President (corporate title)|President]], [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<ref name="RestBusNewBeto">{{cite news |last1=Jennings |first1=Lisa |title=Focus Brands President Beto Guajardo named CEO of Blaze Pizza |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/focus-brands-president-beto-guajardo-named-ceo-blaze-pizza |access-date=9 January 2023 |work=Restaurant Business |date=4 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
|Beto Guajardo ([[President (corporate title)|President]], [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<ref name="RestBusNewBeto">{{cite news |last1=Jennings |first1=Lisa |title=Focus Brands President Beto Guajardo named CEO of Blaze Pizza |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/focus-brands-president-beto-guajardo-named-ceo-blaze-pizza |access-date=9 January 2023 |work=Restaurant Business |date=4 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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|Ana Henton (Interior Design Architect) |
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|[[LeBron James]] (Part-owner/Spokesman) |
|[[LeBron James]] (Part-owner/Spokesman) |
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}} |
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}} |
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'''Blaze Pizza''' is |
'''Blaze Pizza''' is an [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Blaze Pizza relocating California headquarters |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/blaze-pizza-relocating-california-headquarters/ar-BB1o2eyi?ocid=BingNewsSerp |work=Fox News}}</ref> –based [[Fast casual restaurant|fast-casual]] pizza [[restaurant chain]]. Founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel of [[Wetzel's Pretzels]], the chain is known for serving made-to-order pizzas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oches |first1=Sam |title=Pizza's Arms Race |url=http://www.qsrmagazine.com/competition/pizza-s-arms-race |magazine=QSR Magazine |publisher=Journalistic Inc. |access-date=7 September 2015 |date=September 2013}}</ref> |
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== Concept == |
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Customers begin orders by choosing which of the toppings, sauces, and cheeses they would like on their pizza. As customers work their way down the service line, staff assemble a pizza based on customer instructions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lutz |first1=Ashley |title=A Chipotle-style pizza chain endorsed by LeBron James is taking over America |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/blaze-pizza-business-story-and-strategy-2015-2 |website=[[Business Insider]] |date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="pizza-glory"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Balla |first1=Lesley |title=10 Innovative Restaurants Around LA |url=https://www.zagat.com/b/los-angeles/10-innovative-restaurants-around-la |website=[[Zagat]] |date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref> Pizza are then "Fast Fire'd" in a high-temperature open-flame oven with an average cook time of 3 minutes.<ref name="pizza-glory">{{cite news |last1=Marchand |first1=Lisa |title=In a Blaze of Pizza Glory |url=http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/Blogs/Twin-Cities-Taste/In-a-Blaze-of-Pizza-Glory/ |magazine=Minnesota Monthly |date=<!--undated--> |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref> |
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The Blaze ovens are "{{convert|7|foot}}-wide gas-fired ({{convert|60,000|BTU|abbr=on}}) unit operated at average temperatures of {{convert|700|F}} to {{convert|800|F}}," according to the company's executive chef.<ref name=fesm-2013jan31>{{cite news |url=http://fesmag.com/departments/chain-news-profiles/10542-blaze-pizza |title=Blaze Pizza |website=Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine |date=January 31, 2013 |first=Dana |last=Tanyeri}}</ref> Since the high-temperature gas-fired pizza oven is the only piece of cooking equipment inside each of the restaurants, the same oven is also used to roast the chicken, cook the Italian sausage and meatballs, and bake some of the desserts.<ref name=fesm-2013jan31 /> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Blaze Pizza was founded in [[Pasadena, California]], by Rick and Elise Wetzel in 2011. The chain's first location was opened in [[Irvine, California]], in August 2012,<ref name=ocr-2012apr17>{{cite news |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/style-349465-subway-wetzel.html |title=Subway-style pizza outlet to open near UC Irvine |newspaper=[[Orange County Register]] |date=April 17, 2012 |first=Jaryd |last=Lucero}}</ref> which was |
Blaze Pizza was founded in [[Pasadena, California]], by Rick and Elise Wetzel in 2011. The chain's first location was opened in [[Irvine, California]], in August 2012,<ref name=ocr-2012apr17>{{cite news |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/style-349465-subway-wetzel.html |title=Subway-style pizza outlet to open near UC Irvine |newspaper=[[Orange County Register]] |date=April 17, 2012 |first=Jaryd |last=Lucero}}</ref> which was followed two months later by the opening of their second, and [[flagship]], location in October 2012 in Pasadena.<ref name=pw-2012nov15>{{cite news |url=http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/pizza_in_a_flash/11653/ |title=Pizza in a flash: Blaze Pizza is the latest hit in Pasadena's Playhouse District |newspaper=[[Pasadena Weekly]] |date=November 15, 2012 |first=Dan |last=O'Heron |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617201334/http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/pizza_in_a_flash/11653/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The chain serves [[made-to-order]] pizzas, with a choice of various sauces and toppings. Its business model is similar to other chains such as [[Chipotle Mexican Grill]] and [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lutz |first1=Ashley |date=February 12, 2015 |title=A Chipotle-style pizza chain endorsed by LeBron James is taking over America |website=[[Business Insider]] |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/blaze-pizza-business-story-and-strategy-2015-2 |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Balla |first1=Lesley |date=January 6, 2014 |title=10 Innovative Restaurants Around LA |url=https://www.zagat.com/b/los-angeles/10-innovative-restaurants-around-la |access-date=16 September 2015 |website=[[Zagat]]}}</ref><ref name="lebron-backed">{{cite news |last1=Giammona |first1=Craig |date=April 14, 2015 |title=lebron-backed Pizza Chain Aims to Top Chipotle |website=[[Bloomberg Business News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-14/lebron-backed-pizza-chain-aims-to-top-chipotle-after-sales-surge |access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref> The pizzas are cooked in a high-temperature open-flame oven with an average cook time of three minutes.<ref name="pizza-glory">{{cite news |last1=Marchand |first1=Lisa |date=<!--undated--> |title=In a Blaze of Pizza Glory |magazine=Minnesota Monthly |url=http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/Blogs/Twin-Cities-Taste/In-a-Blaze-of-Pizza-Glory/ |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref> The only piece of cooking equipment inside each of the restaurants is an oven.<ref name="fesm-2013jan31">{{cite news |last=Tanyeri |first=Dana |date=January 31, 2013 |title=Blaze Pizza |website=Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine |url=http://fesmag.com/departments/chain-news-profiles/10542-blaze-pizza}}</ref> |
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=== Growth plan === |
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By the end of 2014, Blaze had become the first fast-casual pizza restaurant to achieve 50 opened units.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jennings |first1=Lisa |title=Blaze Pizza to lead fast-casual pizza chains in units open |url=http://nrn.com/fast-casual/blaze-pizza-lead-fast-casual-pizza-chains-units-open |website=Nation's Restaurant News |publisher=Penton |date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=16 September 2015 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> At that time, the company had commitments with [[franchising|franchise]] partners to open 343 restaurants in 39 states. The chain had grown to $33 million in sales and $1.55 [[Volume (finance)|AUV]] in 2014.<ref name="footprint">{{cite web |title=Blaze to expand footprint to 28 states, Canada in 2015 |url=http://www.pizzamarketplace.com/news/blaze-to-expand-footprint-to-28-states-canada-in-2015/ |website=Pizza Marketplace |publisher=Networld Media Group LLC |access-date=7 September 2015 |date=April 29, 2015 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> The company planned to have at least 500 locations by 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chaplin |first1=Cathy |title=L.A.'s fast-casual pizza shops: A look at 7 margherita pizzas |url=http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-margherita-pizza-fast-casual-20150127-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 29, 2015 |access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref> As of February 2022, the company has 332 restaurants in North America, 16 of which are located in Canada and the rest in the United States, as well as 10 locations in the [[Middle East]].<ref name="BlazeLocations">{{cite web |title=Blaze Pizza Locations |url=https://www.blazepizza.com/locations |website=Blaze Pizza |access-date=21 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="MELocations">{{cite web |title=Blaze Pizza locations |url=https://www.blazepizzame.com/directory |website=www.blazepizzame.com |access-date=21 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> |
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By the end of 2014, Blaze had become the first fast-casual pizza restaurant to achieve 50 opened units.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jennings |first1=Lisa |date=December 12, 2014 |title=Blaze Pizza to lead fast-casual pizza chains in units open |url=http://nrn.com/fast-casual/blaze-pizza-lead-fast-casual-pizza-chains-units-open |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 September 2015 |website=Nation's Restaurant News |publisher=Penton}}</ref> The company planned to have at least 500 locations by 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chaplin |first1=Cathy |date=January 29, 2015 |title=L.A.'s fast-casual pizza shops: A look at 7 margherita pizzas |url=http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-margherita-pizza-fast-casual-20150127-story.html |access-date=16 September 2015 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> |
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==International== |
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===Canada=== |
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In August 2015, the company announced plans to open its first location outside the U.S., in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Hayley |title=A pizza chain that emulates Chipotle and counts LeBron James as an investor is going international |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/blaze-pizza-to-open-international-stores-2015-8 |website=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=7 September 2015 |date=August 3, 2015}}</ref> The first Canadian location was opened in Toronto in October 2015,<ref name=marketwired-2015oct05>{{cite press release |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/blaze-fast-fired-pizza-announces-grand-opening-first-international-location-canada-2060961.htm |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Announces Grand Opening of First International Location in Canada: Free Pizzas for Blaze Pizza Fans at Toronto Restaurant Near Yonge-Dundas Square on Friday, October 9th |work=[[Marketwired]] |date=October 5, 2015 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> followed by openings a few months later in Calgary in February 2016<ref name=marketwired-2016feb01>{{cite press release |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/blaze-fast-fired-pizza-announces-grand-opening-of-first-calgary-location-2092822.htm |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Announces Grand Opening of First Calgary Location: Free Pizzas for Blaze Pizza Fans Near Sunridge Mall on Friday, February 5 |work=[[Marketwired]] |date=February 1, 2016 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> and Edmonton in April 2016.<ref name=marketwired-2016apr25>{{cite press release |url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/blaze-fast-fired-pizza-announces-grand-opening-of-first-edmonton-alberta-location-2117982.htm |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Announces Grand Opening of First Edmonton, Alberta Location: Free Pizzas for Blaze Pizza Fans at Manning Town Center, on Friday, April 29 |work=[[Marketwired]] |date=April 25, 2016 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> In May 2018, the company opened its first location in the province of British Columbia in the city of Surrey.<ref name="globenewswire-2018may29">{{cite press release |url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/05/29/1513294/0/en/Local-Fans-Welcome-New-Blaze-Fast-Fire-d-Pizza-in-British-Columbia.html |title=Local Fans Welcome New Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza in British Columbia: Restaurant to Provide Surrey Community with Free Pizzas on Friday, June 1st |work=[[GlobeNewswire]] |date=May 29, 2018 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> |
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In 2015, the company began to expand into Canada.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Hayley |date=August 3, 2015 |title=A pizza chain that emulates Chipotle and counts LeBron James as an investor is going international |website=[[Business Insider]] |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/blaze-pizza-to-open-international-stores-2015-8 |access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref> In partnership with [[Alshaya]], the company opened locations in the Middle East in 2018.<ref name="bb-2018sep16">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 16, 2018 |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza hosts launch event in Bahrain |magazine=Biz Bahrain |url=http://www.bizbahrain.com/blaze-fast-fired-pizza-hosts-launch-event-bahrain/}}</ref><ref name="un27-2019sep04">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 4, 2019 |title=Blaze Pizza opens its first branch in UAE |website=UAE News 24/7 |url=https://uaenews247.com/2019/09/04/blaze-pizza-opens-its-first-branch-in-uae/ |url-status=dead |access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905142906/https://uaenews247.com/2019/09/04/blaze-pizza-opens-its-first-branch-in-uae/ |archive-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> |
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In May 2022, the company expanded to Atlantic Canada. Opening its first location in [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John’s]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]. |
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In 2024, the company announced its plans to move its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia to support future expansion plans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blaze Pizza Headquarters moving from California to Georgia |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/06/06/blaze-pizza-moving-its-pasadena-headquarters-to-atlanta/ |work=East Bay Times}}</ref> |
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===Middle East=== |
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In partnership with [[Alshaya]], Blaze opened its first location outside of North America in the Middle Eastern nation of Kuwait in March 2018.<ref name="globenewswire-2018mar22">{{cite press release |url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/22/1444557/0/en/Blaze-Fast-Fire-d-Pizza-Opens-First-Middle-East-Location-at-The-Avenues-in-Kuwait.html |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Opens First Middle East Location at The Avenues in Kuwait: Additional Locations in Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Set to Open in 2018 |work=[[GlobeNewswire]] |date=March 22, 2018 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> In May 2018, Alshaya opened its first Blaze Pizza restaurant in Saudi Arabia in the capital city of Riyadh.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://alshaya.com/en/brands/food/blaze-pizza/blaze-pizza-news/item/34574-blaze-fast-fire-d-pizza-opens-first-store-in-saudi-arabia/ |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza opens first store in Saudi Arabia |date=May 27, 2018 |work=[[Alshaya]]}}</ref> In September 2018, Alshaya opened its first Blaze Pizza restaurant in Bahrain.<ref name="bb-2018sep16">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizbahrain.com/blaze-fast-fired-pizza-hosts-launch-event-bahrain/ |title=Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza hosts launch event in Bahrain |magazine=Biz Bahrain |date=September 16, 2018 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> In September 2019, Alshaya opened its first Blaze Pizza restaurant in the United Arab Emirates inside an Abu Dhabi shopping mall.<ref name="un27-2019sep04">{{cite news |url=https://uaenews247.com/2019/09/04/blaze-pizza-opens-its-first-branch-in-uae/ |title=Blaze Pizza opens its first branch in UAE |website=UAE News 24/7 |date=September 4, 2019 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905142906/https://uaenews247.com/2019/09/04/blaze-pizza-opens-its-first-branch-in-uae/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{official website|http://www.blazepizza.com}} |
* {{official website|http://www.blazepizza.com}} |
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{{Pizza chains}} |
{{Pizza chains}} |
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[[Category:Fast casual restaurants]] |
[[Category:Fast casual restaurants]] |
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[[Category:Pizza chains of the United States]] |
[[Category:Pizza chains of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Pizza franchises]] |
[[Category:Pizza franchises]] |
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[[Category:Restaurants established in 2011]] |
[[Category:Restaurants established in 2011]] |
Latest revision as of 02:14, 1 December 2024
Blaze Pizza | |
Company type | Private |
Industry | Food and beverage |
Genre | Fast-casual restaurant |
Founded | 2011Pasadena, California | in
Founders | Elise and Rick Wetzel |
Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | 300+ |
Area served | United States, Canada, Bahrain |
Key people |
|
Products | Pizza, salad, cheesy bread, desserts, drinks |
Website | blazepizza |
Blaze Pizza is an Atlanta, Georgia[2] –based fast-casual pizza restaurant chain. Founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel of Wetzel's Pretzels, the chain is known for serving made-to-order pizzas.[3]
History
[edit]Blaze Pizza was founded in Pasadena, California, by Rick and Elise Wetzel in 2011. The chain's first location was opened in Irvine, California, in August 2012,[4] which was followed two months later by the opening of their second, and flagship, location in October 2012 in Pasadena.[5] The chain serves made-to-order pizzas, with a choice of various sauces and toppings. Its business model is similar to other chains such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Subway.[6][7][8] The pizzas are cooked in a high-temperature open-flame oven with an average cook time of three minutes.[9] The only piece of cooking equipment inside each of the restaurants is an oven.[10]
By the end of 2014, Blaze had become the first fast-casual pizza restaurant to achieve 50 opened units.[11] The company planned to have at least 500 locations by 2020.[12]
In 2015, the company began to expand into Canada.[13] In partnership with Alshaya, the company opened locations in the Middle East in 2018.[14][15]
In 2024, the company announced its plans to move its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia to support future expansion plans.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Jennings, Lisa (4 January 2023). "Focus Brands President Beto Guajardo named CEO of Blaze Pizza". Restaurant Business. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "Blaze Pizza relocating California headquarters". Fox News.
- ^ Oches, Sam (September 2013). "Pizza's Arms Race". QSR Magazine. Journalistic Inc. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ Lucero, Jaryd (April 17, 2012). "Subway-style pizza outlet to open near UC Irvine". Orange County Register.
- ^ O'Heron, Dan (November 15, 2012). "Pizza in a flash: Blaze Pizza is the latest hit in Pasadena's Playhouse District". Pasadena Weekly. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ Lutz, Ashley (February 12, 2015). "A Chipotle-style pizza chain endorsed by LeBron James is taking over America". Business Insider. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Balla, Lesley (January 6, 2014). "10 Innovative Restaurants Around LA". Zagat. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Giammona, Craig (April 14, 2015). "lebron-backed Pizza Chain Aims to Top Chipotle". Bloomberg Business News. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ Marchand, Lisa. "In a Blaze of Pizza Glory". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Tanyeri, Dana (January 31, 2013). "Blaze Pizza". Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine.
- ^ Jennings, Lisa (December 12, 2014). "Blaze Pizza to lead fast-casual pizza chains in units open". Nation's Restaurant News. Penton. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Chaplin, Cathy (January 29, 2015). "L.A.'s fast-casual pizza shops: A look at 7 margherita pizzas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Hayley (August 3, 2015). "A pizza chain that emulates Chipotle and counts LeBron James as an investor is going international". Business Insider. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza hosts launch event in Bahrain". Biz Bahrain. September 16, 2018.
- ^ "Blaze Pizza opens its first branch in UAE". UAE News 24/7. September 4, 2019. Archived from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blaze Pizza Headquarters moving from California to Georgia". East Bay Times.