Blaze Pizza Near Me: Locations, Menu, Ownership

Founded: 2012 ·
Founders: Rick and Elise Wetzel ·
Number of Locations: 200+ (as of 2017) ·
Celebrity Investor: LeBron James (minority stake, now sold) ·
Average Pizza Build Time: 180 seconds

Six key facts at a glance, each grounded in official or industry sources:

Does LeBron still own Blaze Pizza?

LeBron James’ initial investment and role

LeBron James was one of the earliest investors in Blaze Pizza, joining shortly after the first location opened in 2012. According to a GlobeNewswire announcement (investor relations platform), the company counted James among its investors alongside Maria Shriver, John Davis, and Tom Werner. His involvement gave the brand a massive visibility boost and helped fuel early expansion.

Sale of stake and current ownership structure

Reports indicate LeBron James sold his minority stake in Blaze Pizza, though the exact date and terms remain unconfirmed. By 2024, Franchise Times (industry trade publication) described private equity firm Brentwood Associates as the majority owner, a position it has held since its non‑controlling investment in 2017. James no longer holds an ownership interest.

The implication: LeBron James' exit marks a shift from celebrity ownership to institutional control, but the brand continues to operate with the same model.

Why did so many Blaze Pizza close?

Impact of COVID-19 on fast-casual dining

Like many restaurant chains, Blaze Pizza saw a wave of closures between 2020 and 2023. The pandemic hit dine‑in and fast‑casual formats hard, and Blaze’s assembly‑line model—though designed for speed—still relied on foot traffic in shopping centers and urban areas. A Franchise Times report noted that the chain shifted its strategy toward refranchising, selling corporate stores to local operators.

Franchisee challenges and refranchising strategy

Some closures were attributed to high rent and operational costs. The company’s refranchising push meant underperforming corporate locations were either closed or sold. In December 2024, Yahoo Finance (business news) reported a 25‑unit development agreement in Southern California with a franchisee that already ran 21 locations—a sign that the chain is consolidating around experienced operators.

Market saturation and competition

The fast‑casual pizza segment became crowded with players like MOD Pizza and Pieology. Blaze’s early growth may have outpaced demand in some markets. The total number of permanent closures since 2020 is not publicly available, but the pattern of reduction and refranchising is clear.

The pattern: The refranchising push consolidates ownership among experienced operators, potentially improving stability but risking inconsistency.

Why is Blaze Pizza so popular?

Customization and assembly-line format

Blaze Pizza gives customers control over every ingredient. With more than 45 toppings and sauces, as noted in a Yahoo Finance (business news) article, diners build their pizza from a selection that includes traditional pepperoni to vegan cheese and spicy honey. The assembly‑line format is fast and visual—you watch your pizza come together.

Fast-fire’d in 180 seconds

The chain’s signature differentiating factor is the bake time. A custom pizza enters a 900°F oven and exits fully cooked in about three minutes. This speed made Blaze a pioneer in the “fast‑fire’d” category, competing with traditional fast food on time while offering a fresh, made‑to‑order product.

Celebrity endorsements

LeBron James’ early investment and public support gave the brand instant credibility. Patrick Schwarzenegger also opened a franchise in Los Angeles, adding a second layer of celebrity interest. People (celebrity news magazine) covered his venture, further boosting awareness among younger consumers.

The implication: Blaze set a high bar for speed and personalization, but maintaining that edge requires consistent execution across franchises.

What countries is Blaze Pizza in?

Blaze Pizza locations in the United States

The United States remains the core market, with the highest concentration of locations in California, Texas, and Florida. As of 2017, the chain had 200 locations across 25 states, according to Nation’s Restaurant News (restaurant industry journal). Since then, the footprint has grown, though some markets have contracted.

International expansion

Blaze Pizza has expanded beyond the U.S. to Canada and the United Kingdom. In 2023, it announced a franchise agreement in Bahrain, as reported by PR Newswire (press release distribution), marking its entry into the Middle East. The international strategy relies on local franchise partners.

How to use the official location finder

The easiest way to find a Blaze Pizza near you is through the chain’s official website. The store locator accepts a city, zip code, or street address and returns nearby restaurants with addresses and hours. Because hours vary by location—some close at 10 PM, while others have earlier hours, per Tripadvisor (user‑review site)—checking ahead is wise.

The catch: Global growth brings local adaptations, so the "same" pizza may differ from country to country.

Did Patrick Schwarzenegger create Blaze Pizza?

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s role as franchisee

Patrick Schwarzenegger opened a single Blaze Pizza franchise in Los Angeles. He was an early franchisee and investor, but he did not create the chain. Media outlets, including People (celebrity news magazine), covered his involvement, which sometimes led to the misconception that he was a founder.

Actual founders: Rick and Elise Wetzel

Blaze Pizza was founded by Rick and Elise Wetzel, the same couple behind Wetzel’s Pretzels. The company’s LinkedIn profile lists them as the founders, with the first store opening in Irvine, California, in 2012. Patrick Schwarzenegger’s franchise is one of many, not the origin story.

For customers, Blaze Pizza remains a convenient option for quick, customized pizza, though its evolving ownership and refranchising mean the experience may vary by location.