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Blaze Pizza Takes a Slice of the Fast, Casual Dining Sector

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  • Description

    Blaze Pizza co-founder Rick Wetzel on the restaurant chain’s growth.

  • Duration 4:42
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Fast casual healthy dining chains like chipotle are the fastest growing area of the restaurant sector in one entrepreneur thought why not profit from this red hot trend.

With a different idea.

He ditched the burrito bowl for pizza and celebrities are fired up about it -- in fact they're throwing their money into the pizza ball here joining me now is written -- he's the co-founder and CEO.

Of blaze pizza and if Rick's name sounds familiar it's because he's founded what -- pretzels which I I go to an occasion to -- This isn't your first -- trip around the block but certainly with pizza.

And the name delays and how it's going along this could be a real opportunity how does that work what makes you guys different.

Hi -- thanks for having me -- more real excited about it basically what we do as we have not.

We've taken an assembly line format we've applied it to the pizza category.

And in a very hip and fun environment -- fast casual environment.

What customers do as they come in the store they go down the line they choose from.

Forty different toppings from -- several different sauces we've got to.

Up to forty different meats and cheeses and different vegetables that they can put on the pizzas.

From traditional.

Toppings like pepperoni and olives and mushrooms to more innovative toppings like pesto drizzle.

Can -- artichokes.

-- didn't.

When you get to the register your pizza goes in the up and it it Bakes into minutes and by the time you get your drink your -- not.

Okay that is customization.

On a terrific level what and cut just quickly ask some really big on the whole wheat crust you offer that as well.

We offer the traditional crust and we also offer gluten free crust that's that's pressed pressed so LA gluten free OK so so here in California right now.

This is going to be a franchising opportunity tell your first couple of stores are trending what are the sales how does -- look.

Well the first -- stars -- here in California we've got four more under construction here in Southern California.

Basically were doing fourteen lunches and dinners for getting winds not out the door and out to the curb on sales are extremely strong and we're real excited about it.

Okay who were excited and particularly since -- business network about the investment opportunity and while it isn't public yet.

You have some pretty heavy hitting names behind this who have invested Maria Shriver for example via former newscaster and the former wife and by the governor of California.

Tom Warner who is the Boston Red Sox on our former producer John Davis is a big producer as well.

And you know I I cheer because Paul Walker -- Maria Shriver is financial advisor also advises look brawn James.

That would -- may -- throwing some money in here is that true.

It is true -- Ron and his -- manager of maverick Carter formed a company and they've invested pretty substantially in this company as well so we're excited to have them in the team.

What what would think now now here's my question is there a little guy opportunity here and is it simply through owning a franchise and how would people go about doing that.

Well that's our model today is -- to build a franchise network and much like Panera Bread which is built out about forty franchises across our franchisees across the country.

We're looking to do something like that as well so we're looking for strong multi unit operators in different markets I'd like -- that explains.

On what the two minute thing because it really it is fast but it appears to be very healthy here's another business type a question which I'm sure you pondered.

The high cost of commodities in some cases now they've come down in many cases but you look at -- you look at corn.

-- it really smackdown chipotle.

Couple quarters ago this is not an easy business when you're in the food industry of course that's something you would have known -- -- pretzels but.

Do you do you bake that -- sort of your business model why do you think you'll be able to compete in that area when it's a very very tough at this point with very heavily fluctuating commodity prices.

But.

The good thing is we have very strong unit economics right now so I think we have quite a bit of of room to absorb.

Some commodity increases end it in the industry.

Even when prices go up.

I'm eventually you do have to pass them on that right now I think we've we've got down quite a -- room to to absorb.

To -- give us your address and in Los Angeles where the two locations.

Where in Pasadena California and Colorado boulevard and where you CIA.

Just talking -- campus in Irvine Irvine -- It's a good idea -- the plan -- to be near the college students who love pizza but be careful when it comes to New York -- its home with a mom and pop pizza chains right.

-- that's true but I'm I think New Yorkers are familiar with -- original pizza and that's what we are.

It's basically a fifteen dollar pizza for six dollars and 85 cents.

Rick we love entrepreneurs on this network thank you for joining us.

Right thanks for having come back when you go public 'cause you know you might -- -- Wetzel and it's blaze pizza David I would go there.

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