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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 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>
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>


By the end of 2014, Blaze had become the first fast-casual pizza restaurant to achieve 50 opened units (all thanks mainly to the fact that they hired [[LeBron James]] to work for and with them).<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>
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>


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>
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>

Revision as of 21:26, 20 February 2024

Blaze Pizza, LLC.
Blaze Pizza
Company typePrivate
IndustryFood and beverage
GenreFast-casual restaurant
Founded2011; 13 years ago (2011) in California
FoundersElise and Rick Wetzel
Headquarters
Pasadena, California
,
United States
Number of locations
300+
Area served
United States, Canada, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates
Key people
ProductsPizza, salad, cheesy bread, desserts, drinks
Websiteblazepizza.com

Blaze Pizza is a Pasadena, California–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.[2]

History

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,[3] which was followed two months later by the opening of their second, and flagship, location in October 2012 in Pasadena.[4] 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.[5][6][7] The pizzas are cooked in a high-temperature open-flame oven with an average cook time of three minutes.[8] The only piece of cooking equipment inside each of the restaurants is an oven.[9]

By the end of 2014, Blaze had become the first fast-casual pizza restaurant to achieve 50 opened units.[10] The company planned to have at least 500 locations by 2020.[11]

In 2015, the company began to expand into Canada.[12] In partnership with Alshaya, the company opened locations in the Middle East in 2018.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ Jennings, Lisa (4 January 2023). "Focus Brands President Beto Guajardo named CEO of Blaze Pizza". Restaurant Business. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  2. ^ Oches, Sam (September 2013). "Pizza's Arms Race". QSR Magazine. Journalistic Inc. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  3. ^ Lucero, Jaryd (April 17, 2012). "Subway-style pizza outlet to open near UC Irvine". Orange County Register.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Lutz, Ashley (February 12, 2015). "A Chipotle-style pizza chain endorsed by LeBron James is taking over America". Business Insider. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  6. ^ Balla, Lesley (January 6, 2014). "10 Innovative Restaurants Around LA". Zagat. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  7. ^ Giammona, Craig (April 14, 2015). "lebron-backed Pizza Chain Aims to Top Chipotle". Bloomberg Business News. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  8. ^ Marchand, Lisa. "In a Blaze of Pizza Glory". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  9. ^ Tanyeri, Dana (January 31, 2013). "Blaze Pizza". Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza hosts launch event in Bahrain". Biz Bahrain. September 16, 2018.
  14. ^ "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.
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