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LeBron James-Backed Blaze Pizza Is Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chain Ever
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:20 pm
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:20 pm
LINK
quote:
Blaze Pizza was founded five years ago with two pizza places in Southern California (Irvine and Pasadena). The concept: fast, affordable, high-quality pizza that opened up the pizza category to the lunch crowd long after burgers, salads and burritos became lunchtime staples. The idea of build-your-own pizza ready in three minutes clicked with pizza-loving Americans and franchises popped up the following year. Blaze opens its 200th restaurant today in Mentor, Ohio. Going from two to 200 franchises in four years is the fastest start in the history of the U.S. food service business, the industry consultancy Technomic confirms.
quote:
One of the world’s most famous and marketable athletes has been along for the ride from almost Day 1. Today, LeBron James is all-in on Blaze as an investor, franchisee and paid endorser of the company. “LeBron helps us punch in terms of our brand awareness well above our weight,” says Blaze Pizza CEO Jim Mizes. Witness a recent Harris Poll where Blaze finished second among the best pizza chain brands, behind Papa John’s and ahead of Pizza Hut, which has more than 7,000 locations in the U.S. James often uses social media to promote Blaze to his 91 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. A video of James working the counter of a Blaze Pizza as team member “Ron” last year went viral with more than two million views on YouTube. James invested in Blaze Pizza in 2012 shortly after the first restaurants were opened by Rick and Elise Wetzel. James was recruited by movie producer John Davis to invest in the business and Davis, James and the rest of the investment group secured one-third of the company. James was interested in being a franchisee in South Florida in 2013 when he played for the Miami Heat. But one of Blaze’s tenants is to only partner with established franchisees who operate other brands as well. Blaze officials connected James with Larry Levy of Levy Family Partners who was also interested in the Florida market. Levy, James and Maverick Carter, James' business manager, eventually secured rights to Blaze franchises in the South Florida and Chicago markets. They have 17 franchises now (12 in Chicago and five in South Florida) with plans for more.
This post was edited on 7/11/17 at 1:22 pm
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:23 pm to RedRifle
Glad to see all of his business ventures are doing so well. Wish him nothing but the best financially.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:24 pm to RedRifle
I burnt the frick out of my mouth eating at one of these in Chicago. Pizza was pretty good though
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:26 pm to RedRifle
quote:
The idea of build-your-own pizza ready in three minutes clicked
It's allllll supervised.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:26 pm to RedRifle
We have 1 here in Houston. Went a few weeks ago and it was really good. Basically subway pizza style
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:27 pm to RedRifle
quote:
RedRifle
Do you get royalties from the Ichabod Crane looking Jew? All you do is promote the NBA.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:30 pm to castorinho
quote:
He looks like Dwyane Wade
Wade gave up the Dewy hairstyle already?
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:31 pm to RedRifle
One by my parents place in houston. It's pretty good
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:34 pm to RedRifle
Arnold Schwarznegger's son, Patrick, actually owns a couple of franchises in Southern California as well.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:35 pm to MikeyFL
There's like 4 versions of this chain and they are popping up everywhere
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:41 pm to RedRifle
quote:
Going from two to 200 franchises in four years
MJ could have done it in 3
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:53 pm to sms151t
quote:
Do you get royalties from the Ichabod Crane looking Jew? All you do is promote the NBA.
No, he sucks the players dicks in the off season. He's their personal Fluffer.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:54 pm to CoachKlein
quote:
MJ could have done it in 3
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:54 pm to rockiee
Yeah there's a dozen version of this place as a concept. Been to several and it's a customer-friendly concept to be sure. No surprise the California/Lebron version is growing quickly.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:56 pm to RedRifle
I'm curious to try it if it's really that good.
Pieology and Maddio's are both lackluster pizza with a similar concept of "build your own."
Pieology and Maddio's are both lackluster pizza with a similar concept of "build your own."
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:57 pm to RedRifle
We are getting one in a couple months. Have heard nothing but good things. Interesting to see how much more it has taken off compared to alternatives like Pie Five.
Posted on 7/11/17 at 1:59 pm to RedRifle
I've eaten at one. I like it. That 11" or whatever it is, is the perfect size if you're pretty hungry.
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