Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, the fast-casual concept known for its chef-driven menu and casually hip restaurants, announced today that it will soon open a new Central Coast location in San Luis Obispo. The highly anticipated restaurant, which features a 2,400 square foot interior with seating for 52 inside and an additional 42 seats on an exterior patio, will open on May 5 at 892 E. Foothill Blvd, located next to Lassens in the new University Square development. Blaze Pizza also plans to open five more restaurants on the Central Coast in 2016.
Blaze Pizza is a modern day “pizza joint” that has been inspiring excitement and cultivating fanatics for its custom-built artisanal pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade and s’more pies since it opened its first location in 2012. Each restaurant features an interactive open-kitchen format that allows guests to customize one of the menu’s signature pizzas or create their own, choosing from a wide selection of carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients – all for around $8. The generously-sized 11” pizzas are then sent to a blazing hot open-flame oven – the centerpiece of the restaurant – where dedicated “pizza-smiths” ensure that the thin-crust pies are fast-fire’d and ready to eat in just 180 seconds. Each restaurant makes its own dough from scratch using a recipe developed by critically-acclaimed Executive Chef Bradford Kent (the “Pizza Whisperer”), which requires a 24-hour fermentation period to produce his signature light-as-air, crisp crust. For pizza fans with specific dietary needs, Blaze Pizza offers gluten-free dough and vegan cheese. The new San Luis Obispo restaurant will also feature a selection of wine and craft beer.
To create the perfect vibe inside the new San Luis Obispo restaurant, award-winning design architect Ana Henton has added several unique, modern touches, including an oversized wall graphic custom-built to suit the space. Additionally, in support of the company’s commitment to “Intelligent Choices for Our Pizzas, People & Planet”, the San Luis Obispo restaurant will use both recycled and sustainable materials, as well as energy-efficient LED lighting, and will feature eco-friendly, compostable packaging.
“At Blaze, we’re all about creating an engaging dining experience where guests can enjoy artisanal pizza that’s both fast and affordable,” said Jim Mizes, president & COO of Blaze Pizza. “The authenticity of our food, plus a service culture that genuinely focuses on the happiness of our guests and crew, have been key to our popularity and expansion.”
The newest Blaze restaurant is looking forward to building strong roots within the community, offering a spot where guests can connect, create and enjoy. To that end, the restaurant promotes a turnkey fundraiser program that returns 20 percent of an event’s proceeds back to the organization, helping schools, sports clubs and other local groups “cause a scene for a good cause.”
The newest Blaze restaurant’s management has a history on the Central Coast. One of its owners, Mitch Wolf, has been a marketing instructor at Cal Poly for 10 years. Previously Mitch had owned the Taco Bell restaurants in San Luis Obispo, and is excited to bring Blaze to the Central Coast. As part of the grand opening, Blaze will be offering a free pizza day for anyone that “likes” Blaze on social media.