The origins of Blaze Pizza can be traced to Elise and Rick Wetzel, founders of Wetzel’s Pretzels. Seeking a fast-casual pizza experience, Elise Wetzel spearheaded the creation of the first Blaze Pizza location in 2011 in Pasadena, California. The concept centered around customizable, artisanal pizzas cooked rapidly in a blazing hot oven.
Understanding the founding of this fast-casual pizza chain provides context for its rapid growth and distinctive approach. The Wetzel’s Pretzel background underscores an existing understanding of franchising and scaling a food service business. The emphasis on customizable, made-to-order pizzas filled a market niche and differentiated the company from established pizza chains. This approach resonated with consumers seeking fresh, personalized options delivered quickly.
