Blaze Pizza
Leader in the fast-casual artisan pizza category, uses an assembly line format to create pizzas at lightning fast speed.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
N/A | Growth Equity VC | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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Blaze Pizza operates in the fast-casual dining sector, a model inspired by the made-to-order approach of companies like Chipotle. The company was founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel, who had previously co-founded Wetzel's Pretzels. The idea emerged when they sought a quick pizza lunch option but found the market lacking a fast, customizable experience, leading them to conceptualize the business while at a Chipotle. The Wetzels, who consider themselves marketers and brand builders from their time at Nestlé, launched Blaze Pizza to fill this market gap.
The first restaurant opened in Irvine, California, in August 2012, with a second flagship location following in Pasadena two months later. A key figure in the company's development is culinary officer Brad Kent, who was instrumental in designing the menu with scalability in mind for a franchise model. The business primarily generates revenue through a franchise system, with a royalty fee of 5% and a marketing fee of 2% on gross sales. By the end of 2014, Blaze Pizza had become the first in its category to open 50 locations. The chain now has over 300 restaurants in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.
Blaze Pizza's core offering is a build-your-own personal pizza. Customers move down an assembly line, choosing from a wide array of ingredients, including various crusts (like gluten-free and cauliflower), sauces, cheeses, and toppings. The 12-inch pizzas are then cooked in an open-flame oven at a high temperature, ready in approximately three minutes. The dough is made fresh daily and undergoes a 24-hour fermentation process to create a signature light, crispy crust. Beyond customizable pizzas, the menu includes signature pizzas, salads, cheesy bread, and desserts. The company primarily targets Millennials and Gen Z consumers who value convenience, quality, and customization in their dining choices.
Keywords: fast-casual pizza, build-your-own pizza, franchise restaurant, artisanal pizza, quick-service restaurant, custom pizza, fresh ingredients, open-flame oven, pizza chain, food and beverage