Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza, a leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, has signed a new franchise development agreement that will significantly expand the brand’s South Florida footprint, bringing nine new units to the greater Miami market. Spearheading this development are seasoned multi-unit operators Asif Ghaffar and Tahir Mahmood of BLD Restaurant Group, who are expanding their existing portfolio. Blaze Pizza currently has 25 locations throughout the Sunshine State and a strong development pipeline that will further propel its expansion statewide over the next several years.
Local franchisees Ghaffar and Mahmood are slated to open their first new Blaze Pizza in the Miami market in spring 2022, with a second location already under development and on track to open shortly after. In addition to their new partnership with Blaze Pizza, Ghaffar and Mahmood have more than 15 years of experience in franchising and foodservice, currently operating 12 Denny’s restaurants throughout Miami.
“After navigating the significant disruptions COVID-19 caused to full-service dine-in restaurants, Tahir and I wanted to diversify with a fast-casual concept that offered strong infrastructure and proven processes,” says Ghaffar. “With the entire restaurant industry reeling in the early days of the pandemic, Blaze Pizza pivoted operations quickly and showcased its resilience, and this ability to adapt in the face of a crisis made the brand stand out. After seeing how Blaze has continued this success into 2021, we knew we wanted to be a part of expanding its presence in the thriving South Florida community.”
The new Miami deal signing is fueled by Blaze Pizza’s ongoing success and nationwide growth, which have sparked a surge in franchise development particularly amongst experienced franchisees looking to diversify their portfolios. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Blaze Pizza’s investments in technology and operational support coupled with consumer demand for its innovative products have fueled its expansion. The brand’s pipeline of agreements consists of prototypes with flexible dining experiences that meet consumers’ demand for convenience, including curbside pickup, third-party delivery and drive-thru lanes. These models have allowed Blaze Pizza to tap into the wealth of potential in highly populated markets such as South Florida, as well as major cities throughout Texas and California, among others.
Founded in 2011, Los Angeles-based Blaze Pizza has more than 340 restaurants across 38 states and six countries. For more information, visit www.blazepizza.com.
SOURCE: Blaze Pizza