Blaze Pizza signed two new multi-unit franchise agreements to expand its West Coast footprint. As part of these deal signings, Blaze will expand its presence in Southern California with two restaurants under development that will open in Indio and Colton, new markets for the brand in its home state. Additionally, the chain has signed an agreement to open its first locations in Alaska, with four restaurants in the pipeline to be developed across the state, with an initial focus on Fairbanks.
Blaze Pizza franchisees Greg and Catharine Persinger will own and operate the brand's Alaskan locations. The Persingers are experienced multi-brand developers, and in addition to their new agreement with Blaze, the couple also own successful Firehouse Subs and Cold Stone Creamery franchises. This husband-and-wife team plan to open four new Blaze Pizza locations throughout the state, with the first slated to open in Fairbanks.
To support its aggressive development efforts, Blaze appointed Andrew Verhagen to serve as franchise sales manager and John Grega as director of construction. Their backgrounds include working with such restaurant companies as Bojangles and Inspire Brands.