California-based pizza chain debuts in area

LUTZ — Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza has opened its first location in the Tampa Bay area, debuting a 2,600-square-foot restaurant in Lutz and giving away free pizza to customers who follow the Pasadena, Calif.-based chain on social media.

The restaurant is located at 25456 Sierra Center Blvd., and features seating for 70 people inside and 40 outside. Franchisee Millennial Restaurant Group, which also developed Blaze restaurants in northeast Florida, has hired 50 workers to staff the eatery.

According to a press release, Blaze specializes in artisan-style, made-to-order pizzas that are priced affordably. The chain uses open-flame ovens that cook pizzas in just three minutes, and offers a range of vegan and nut- and gluten-free menu options.

“At Blaze, we’re taking one of America’s favorite foods back to its roots by offering high quality, affordable pizzas — without the wait,” states Dennis Sherer, operating partner for Blaze Pizza in Florida, in the release. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Blaze to Lutz."

Blaze plans to open two more restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, in Tampa and Trinity; it already has a location in Sarasota. A restaurant is also planned for Fort Myers.