Blaze Pizza Explained
Blaze Pizza is an Atlanta, Georgia[1] –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]
In 2024, the company announced its plans to move its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia to support future expansion plans.[15]
Notes and References
- News: Blaze Pizza relocating California headquarters . Fox News.
- News: Oches . Sam . Pizza's Arms Race . QSR Magazine . Journalistic Inc. . 7 September 2015 . September 2013.
- News: Subway-style pizza outlet to open near UC Irvine . . April 17, 2012 . Jaryd . Lucero.
- News: Pizza in a flash: Blaze Pizza is the latest hit in Pasadena's Playhouse District . . November 15, 2012 . Dan . O'Heron . May 25, 2016 . June 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160617201334/http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/pizza_in_a_flash/11653/ . dead .
- News: Lutz . Ashley . February 12, 2015 . A Chipotle-style pizza chain endorsed by LeBron James is taking over America . . 16 September 2015.
- Web site: Balla . Lesley . January 6, 2014 . 10 Innovative Restaurants Around LA . 16 September 2015 . Zagat.
- News: Giammona . Craig . April 14, 2015 . lebron-backed Pizza Chain Aims to Top Chipotle . . 7 September 2015.
- News: Marchand . Lisa . . In a Blaze of Pizza Glory . Minnesota Monthly . 16 September 2015.
- News: Tanyeri . Dana . January 31, 2013 . Blaze Pizza . Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine .
- Web site: Jennings . Lisa . December 12, 2014 . Blaze Pizza to lead fast-casual pizza chains in units open . subscription . 16 September 2015 . Nation's Restaurant News . Penton.
- Web site: Chaplin . Cathy . January 29, 2015 . L.A.'s fast-casual pizza shops: A look at 7 margherita pizzas . 16 September 2015 . Los Angeles Times.
- News: Fitzpatrick . Hayley . August 3, 2015 . A pizza chain that emulates Chipotle and counts LeBron James as an investor is going international . . 7 September 2015.
- News: . September 16, 2018 . Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza hosts launch event in Bahrain . Biz Bahrain .
- News: . September 4, 2019 . Blaze Pizza opens its first branch in UAE . UAE News 24/7 . dead . September 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190905142906/https://uaenews247.com/2019/09/04/blaze-pizza-opens-its-first-branch-in-uae/ . September 5, 2019.
- News: Blaze Pizza Headquarters moving from California to Georgia . East Bay Times.
