LeBron James and Blaze Pizza

How Blaze Got Started

Legend has it that in 2011 the Wentzel brothers, of Wentzel’s Pretzels fame, drove around Pasadena, California, looking for a pizza place to meet for business. Being disappointed by the options, they settled for Chipotle. While dining there, they thought to replicate the Chipotle business model for pizza. From there, the concept took off.

Roughly a year later, the two opened restaurants in Pasadena and Irvine simultaneously. The company’s business model is one that promotes fresh ingredients with no chemicals or additives. Blaze offers fully customizable pizzas ready in three minutes. The pizzas are cooked in large, gas-powered fire-burning ovens, which are visually stunning. Beyond pizza, the chain offers apps, salads, desserts, and an assortment of beverages. The company has exploded since its launch in 2012. Currently, the company has grown to 303 locations in 39 states.