Blaze Pizza has announced the signing of a multi-unit agreement to bring nine new locations to South Florida and the greater Miami market. The pizza brand signed with experienced multi-unit developers, Asif Ghaffar and Tahir Mahmood of BLD Restaurant Group, who are expanding their existing portfolio with the rapidly-growing pizza franchise. There are currently 25 Blaze Pizza locations across the state.
Ghaffar and Mahmood are on track to open their first Blaze Pizza location in Miami in Spring 2022, with a second in development to follow. The partners have over 15 years of experience in franchising and foodservice and currently operate 12 Denny’s restaurants in 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,” said 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 brand’s pipeline of agreements consists of prototypes with flexible dining experiences designed for convenience, including curbside pick-up, third-party delivery, and drive-thru lanes. These models have allowed Blaze Pizza to open in densely populated markets throughout the country.
“Coupled with the ongoing development success we’ve experienced throughout 2021, our latest franchise agreement is a direct reflection of Blaze Pizza’s position as an industry leader and the operational excellence that has continued to fuel our growth,” said Ed Yancey, vice president of franchise development for Blaze Pizza.
“As pioneers of the DIY model in the pizza segment, our understanding of consumer preferences and commitment to innovation are second-to-none, making us an ideal diversification option for multi-unit portfolios.
“We’re thrilled our newest franchisees Asif and Tahir identified Blaze as the ideal fast-casual concept to diversify their full-service portfolio, and look forward to supporting their growth in South Florida.”
Blaze Pizza was founded in 2011 and now has over 340 locations across 38 states and six countries.
