Blaze Pizza | A Fresh Concept

Blaze Pizza | A Fresh Concept

My family & I recently had the opportunity to visit Blaze Pizza ® located in Brookfield, WI. I would like to tell you about our experience!
First, I will tell you what they are all about. Check out their recent press release here:

Blaze “Fast-Fire’d” Pizza in Brookfield is Serving Up 100 Calorie Slices

Custom-create your own signature pizza at Blaze Pizza in just 180 seconds to help you eat right and stay on track in 2014

 Milwaukee, Wis., January 14, 2014… For most people a new year means new resolutions. Whether you’ve resolved to get fit or to eat right this year, let’s face it, you don’t want to sacrifice taste and give up the foods you love just to lose a few extra pounds.  The great news is, now you don’t have to!  Brookfield’s own Blaze “Fast-Fire’d” Pizza, a leader in the fast-casual, custom-created artisan pizza category, is serving up pies at just 100 calories a slice, in only 180 seconds! The franchise’s newest addition recently opened in the Brownstones Shopping Center located at 17530 W. Bluemound Road in Brookfield, bringing its unique twist on a national trend to the Milwaukee area.  Blaze Pizza offers high quality food with quick service speeds at an affordable price, making it a great option for individuals as well as families.

Originating in California, the fast-casual dining trend is on the rise, as restaurants switch to offering more customizable menu items. And now it has made its way into the pizza sector.  Blaze Pizza offers an entirely new approach to pizza centered on delivering a delicious pizza, freakishly fast.

“In today’s world, people are always on the go, which makes it difficult to eat right,” said John Walch, owner and operator of Blaze Pizza in Brookfield.  “That’s why we’ve created a delicious and healthy on-the-go option with our “Fast-Fire’d” pizzas. They’re great for health conscious consumers who may be trying to shed a few pounds after the holidays.” Walch, who has over 20 years of restaurant industry experience, including leading the opening and operation of 25 Panera Bread franchise stores in Wisconsin and Illinois, saw the potential in this growing company and quickly got on board, opening the first Blaze Pizza in Wisconsin in November. With only 12 Blaze Pizza locations nationwide, this recently opened local hotspot is introducing something new and fresh to the Milwaukee market.  Modeled after restaurants like Chipotle, this contemporary twist on a traditional pizzeria allows guests to watch as their pizza is hand crafted right before their eyes. Known for their light-as-air thin crust, every batch of Blaze pizza dough is made from scratch, requiring a 24 hour fermentation period. Each Blaze pizza begins with a perfectly proofed ball of their famous dough, hand pressed into an 11-inch, thin and light-weight crust. From there the pizza slides down to the creation station where guests “co-create” their meal, choosing from one of Blaze’s eight signature pies or over 40 artisan and contemporary toppings including gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, ovalini mozzarella and much more.

Each customized pizza is then “Fast-Fire’d” in Blaze’s 800 degree open-hearth oven.  Using a three-sided flame, the signature oven cooks the pizza to perfection in under 180 seconds.  Within a matter of minutes, guests have a hot custom-created pizza, ready to dig into – and all for only about $7! With a thin, crisp crust, healthier cheese-to-crust ratio and unlimited veggies, a whole 11-inch Blaze pizza could practically be a diet food. Blaze Pizza also offers signature salads, fresh lemonades, craft beer, wine and house made S’more pies in addition to its signature pizzas.  With gluten free crust and vegan cheese options, Blaze Pizza truly does have something for everyone.“But don’t just take our word for it – we encourage everyone to come to Blaze Pizza in Brookfield and try an individual pizza for themselves,” added Walch.  “With so many selections to choose from, guests are sure to leave feeling full and satisfied, without having to break their diet.”

Our own family experience: We went on a Wednesday night around 5:30 pm. It was hoppin’! Very busy. The line was out the door, but it moved very fast. Once you get up to the “creation station” you can tell them what you’d like-a build your own pizza or one of their signature pizzas. We had BBQ Chicken and their White Pizza. They build them right in front of your eyes using fresh ingredients, and then it slides over to be “blazed” in their oven for just 180 seconds! By the time we sat down, and filled our drinks our names was called and it was time to eat! Super fast. The pizza looked delicious, unique flavors- truly artisan crafted! The staff was so friendly and welcoming. Each pizza is 11 inches, and just around $7. What a deal! They also had some beautiful salads to choose from. I was so impressed with the service, the fun concept, and I was amazed a pizza could be done so quick and taste so good! I really hope you bring your family to experience this unique new concept to have a pizza night. They were even handing out a buy one, get one free coupon good for a next visit! I am adding some photos and their menu so you can check it out. Go pay them a visit and tell them we sent you!

Some more about Blaze Pizza:

Founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel, founders of Wetzel’s Pretzels, Blaze Pizza introduces an entirely new approach to pizza, serving custom-made, artisan quality pizzas at freakishly fast speeds, all at an affordable price.  Putting a contemporary spin on a traditional pizza joint, the first two Blaze Pizza locations were opened in Southern California in August 2012.  With all of the hype surrounding fast-casual restaurants, where guests can order at the counter and don’t have to tip, the franchise quickly gained a lot of attention.  The company was featured by CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Good Morning America Live.

 Along with its rise in popularity, Blaze Pizza has garnered support from numerous influential people including California’s former first lady, Maria Shriver; Boston Red Sox co-owner, Tom Werner; Founder of Panda Express, Andrew Cherng; and NBA superstar, LeBron James.  Blaze Pizza is now expanding nationwide.  For more information regarding the Blaze Pizza franchise, please visit them here:  Blaze Pizza or their Facebook page.

Note: My family was given vouchers to try out their pizza at no cost to us. My opinions are my own.