Pizza is one of the most popular meal options, yet many pizza parlors offer the same experience in decor, pizza choices and style. At a price of $8.25, Blaze Pizza offers college students and customers a chance to create their own pizza.

Similar to Subway or Chipotle, a customer has to move along a counter and choose their crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings at several different stations. Each location offers over 40 different pizza toppings, wheat based gluten-free dough, and soy-free vegan cheeses.

Once a pizza is constructed, it’s put into a large 800 degree open-flame oven where an average cook time of 180 seconds and cooks each pizza to perfection. The urban and welcoming design of the restaurant pairs perfectly with this innovative meal choice. The company is very eco-friendly. The eatery is composed of tables and chairs that are compostable and recyclable and have drink cups and straws made from plant–based materials. Their pizza boxes are even certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which is the world’s largest forest certification system.

The shift manager at the Whittier location, Gabby Ramirez, stated that the aspect that people really have come to appreciate at Blaze, besides the customization of their food, is the work environment. She said that the workers are quick, use 24-hour refrigerated homemade dough and ingredients, which are all baked in their large fire oven. She is really proud of how lively the workers are and how they really promote individuality, which fits well with the company’s motto, attitude, and slogan, “Intelligent choices for our pizzas, people and planet.”

The restaurant was first established in California 2011, by Rick and Elise Wetzel of Wetzel’s Pretzels. Their premiere location and current headquarters is in Irvine, where they soon began to grow in popularity and as a business. In 2014, 10 Blaze Pizza locations were opened and individually posted about $1.55 billion on average. Soon they expanded and now they have over 105 locations in 20 states. In 2020, they plan to have over 500 restaurants in and outside of the U.S.

Not only has Blaze gained popularity with the average consumer, but several celebrities have become interested in the business. NBA star Lebron James, activist Maria Shriver and Boston Red Sox co-owner  Tom Warner are early supporters and investors of the company.

Although the build-your-own-pizza option is the most popular, they also feature eight signature pizzas and offer both soft and alcoholic drinks, s’mores cookies, salads, and fruits.

Going to Blaze Pizza is truly an amazing experience you cannot miss because of their amazing food. So when wondering what to eat for a quick lunch or dinner, always remember to Blaze it.