Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$666,900 - $1,143,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Min Cash Required
$20,000
Total US Locations
265
Business Summary
Blaze Pizza operates restaurants that specialize in build-your-own, artisan-style pizzas. Customers can either select a pre-designed pizza or create their own from a selection of up to 40 ingredients, which are then quickly cooked in an open-hearth oven. Blaze Pizza restaurants offer both dine-in and takeout options, including online ordering, and are generally open year-round, with limited holiday closures. Some locations may also be authorized to serve beer and wine or incorporate other approved co-branded businesses within the restaurant.
Corporate History
Blaze Pizza, LLC was originally established as PYR Pizza, LLC in California on October 28, 2011. The company began offering franchises for Blaze Pizza restaurants in May 2012. Its parent company is Blaze Pizza Holdings, LLC, which is ultimately controlled by various funds managed by Brentwood Associates. Blaze Pizza also has affiliates that operate company-owned restaurants, such as Blaze Pizza Operations, LLC, which runs 11 locations in California, and Blaze Pizza International, LLC, which has been franchising in the Middle East and Europe since 2018. Additionally, other affiliated companies offer franchises for different restaurant and service concepts, including sushi bars, chicken salad restaurants, and water/ice vending stations.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$666,900 - $1,143,000
Franchise Fee (Low)
$30,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$30,000
Minimum Cash Required
$20,000
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$545,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$865,000
Working Capital
$32,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
The auditors have issued an unqualified opinion on Blaze Pizza's financial statements, meaning they present the company's financial position fairly. However, a special risk highlighted in the FDD questions Blaze Pizza's financial ability to provide services and support to franchisees. The company has also recorded a $615,000 accrual for various lawsuits in 2024, acknowledging that additional losses are reasonably possible and could negatively impact its financial results or cash flows.
Financing Details
Blaze Pizza does not offer any direct or indirect financing options to its franchisees. Additionally, the company does not guarantee any loans, leases, or other financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
265
Franchised Units
254
Corporate Units
11
Avg Square Footage
2,600
Franchising Since
2012
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Blaze Pizza has one disclosed litigation case, which was a class action lawsuit filed in February 2019. The lawsuit alleged that Blaze Pizza and some of its California franchisees did not redeem gift cards with balances under $10 for cash, violating California law. Blaze Pizza settled the case in January 2020 without admitting wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, Blaze Pizza paid the plaintiff $1,500, covered $67,000 in attorney fees, agreed to issue over 3,000 $10 e-gift cards to California residents, and committed to training employees and posting notices about gift card redemption in its California restaurants. The settlement received final court approval in January 2020.
Bankruptcy History
Blaze Pizza has no bankruptcy history to report for itself, its predecessors, affiliates, or key management personnel.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Blaze Pizza franchisees must have consistently met all their obligations under the current agreement and other agreements with Blaze Pizza. They must also agree to remodel and update their restaurant to meet Blaze Pizza's current design standards, not have accumulated three or more significant defaults within any 36-month period, and fulfill all current training requirements. Additionally, franchisees are required to sign a general legal release and a new successor franchise agreement, which may have different terms than their original contract. A renewal fee, equal to 50% of the then-current initial franchise fee, must also be paid.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Blaze Pizza provides comprehensive assistance to its franchisees, starting before the restaurant opens. This includes access to the Blaze Standards Guidelines, help with site selection and lease review, and guidance on site design and equipment specifications. For training, Blaze Pizza offers a free Blaze Standards Training Program (BSTP) lasting up to four weeks for up to three managers and an Operating Principal for a franchisee's first two restaurants, along with on-site opening support. Once open, Blaze Pizza continues to provide assistance by informing franchisees of mandatory operational standards, offering advice based on inspections, approving advertising, and providing optional training and certification programs (some with fees). Blaze Pizza also allows franchisees to use its confidential materials and trademarks and keeps them informed about mandatory and optional promotional campaigns. Optional support may include modifying the System, periodic visits from corporate staff (which may incur fees if requested or extended), and holding periodic national or regional conferences.
Initial Training Hours
235
Training Location
Corporate NCTR or Franchise Operated NCTR, and at the franchisee's restaurant
Ongoing Support
Blaze Pizza provides ongoing support by keeping franchisees informed of mandatory operational standards and procedures, and offering advice and consultation via written materials, electronic media, and telephone based on reports and inspections. Blaze Pizza approves franchisee advertising materials and offers various certification and additional training programs, some of which may incur fees. Franchisees are also allowed to continue using Blaze Pizza's confidential materials and trademarks and keeps them informed about mandatory and optional promotional campaigns. Optional support may include modifying the System, periodic visits from corporate staff (which may incur fees if requested or extended), and holding periodic national or regional conferences. The company also administers a Creative Fund for system-wide marketing and advertising initiatives.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Blaze Pizza seeks franchisees who are qualified and committed to actively operating their restaurants. An ideal candidate, designated as an "Operating Principal," must devote 100% of their time and effort to the restaurant's operations. They must meet Blaze Pizza's educational, experience, and financial criteria, and hold at least a 10% ownership or voting interest in the franchise. Candidates are expected to demonstrate good moral character, a strong reputation, satisfactory credit, and sound business qualifications. They should also have the ability to obtain necessary licenses, such as for alcoholic beverages, and fully comply with the franchise agreement. For multi-unit operators, the franchise also requires a "Director of Operations" to oversee all restaurants and suggests hiring "Multi-Unit Supervisors."
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Protected
Territory Size Requirements
Blaze Pizza defines its franchise territories at its sole discretion based on circumstances. A territory may be specified as a radius around the restaurant, a geographic area defined by zip codes, streets, highways, or other written descriptions in the Franchise Agreement's Attachment A. For area development, the development area is established based on consumer demographics, geographical area, city, county, and other boundaries.
Staffing Notes
Blaze Pizza requires specific management roles for its franchise operations. For individual franchisees, an "Operating Principal" must devote 100% of their time to directly supervising the restaurant. For franchisees opening two or more restaurants, a "Director of Operations" is required to oversee all locations in their designated area, also on a full-time basis. Multi-Unit Supervisors are optional for franchisees with two or more restaurants, overseeing multiple locations and reporting to the Director of Operations. Each restaurant must have a minimum of three "Blaze Certified Managers" for the first 30 days of operation for the first restaurant in a new area, then two for subsequent restaurants for 30 days, and then at least one per restaurant thereafter. Franchisees are solely responsible for all employment decisions, including hiring, firing, training, and complying with labor laws.