BATON ROUGE, La. (WVLA/WGMB) — Los Angeles-based chain Blaze Pizza announced a development deal that will see a group of New-Orleans based partners grow the brand’s footprint in south Louisiana.
Seasoned restaurant owner-operators Kaleb and Khai Duong and Jacob Strider signed an agreement to open five Blaze Pizza locations, with restaurants between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, according to a press release. The exact locations of the new establishments and the number that will open in Baton Rouge (versus New Orleans) has yet to be determined, according to publicist Joey Jiracek.
The Duong brothers and Strider are multi-unit franchise owners of MOOYAH in New Orleans and own a series of frozen yogurt locations. The team also owns a construction business in Louisiana.
“With enthusiasm for the build your own pizza category and proven franchise success, Kaleb, Khai and Jacob are a perfect fit for Blaze Pizza,” said Carolyne Canady, President International, Chief Development Officer for Blaze Pizza. “They are eager to grow their portfolio with a forward-thinking brand, and we’re thrilled to support their development plans for Southern Louisiana. We’re confident they’ll be top performers for years to come.”
Blaze Pizza is a modern day “pizza joint” serving up artisanal pizzas that are both fast and affordable, according to the press release. 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 real ingredients that are free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners.
The pizzas are then sent to a blazing hot open-flame oven – the centerpiece of the restaurant – where dedicated pizzasmiths ensure the artisanal pies are fast-fire’d and ready to eat in just minutes. Restaurants make fresh dough from scratch using a proprietary recipe developed by 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 crusts and vegan cheese.
To learn more about Blaze Pizza and its franchise opportunities, visit www.blazepizza.com.
