Build-your-own pizza chain Blaze Pizza is fit for a king — King James, that is.
In 2015, basketball legend LeBron James walked away from a $14 million endorsement deal with McDonald's to become part of Blaze Pizza's marketing campaigns. He's also an early investor in the Chipotle-style pizza chain.
James's selection of an unknown upstart over an established brand appears to have paid off. Blaze was recently named the fastest-growing chain in history after opening its 200th location in Mentor, Ohio, on Tuesday. Revenue is on track to hit $300 million in 2017, according to a company spokesperson.
We visited Blaze in Fremont, California, to see if the pizza meets the hype.
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On a weekday night, I stopped by Blaze Pizza's sunny Fremont, California, location.
The chain's blend of industrial design pieces and reclaimed wood was influenced by fast-casual competitor Chipotle, according to Blaze Pizza CEO and president Jim Mizes.
Executive chef and cofounder Bradford Kent greeted us at the door. Blaze Pizza's founders enlisted the help of the so-called "Pizza Whisperer" at the start.
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