Blaze Pizza Opens First Alaska Restaurant in Wasilla
The Wasilla store is the first of four planned for the fast-casual pizza franchise that lets customers make their own pizza.
Patricia Morales | Alaska Business
November 14 marked opening day for Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza in Wasilla, the fast-casual artisanal pizza franchise’s first foray into the 49th State.
Former Olympian Owner
Blaze Pizza is owned and operated by Alaska-born partners Greg Persinger and Catharine Persinger. The pair also own Firehouse Subs, next door to Blaze at 1080 East Steam Commons Avenue in Wasilla, on Home Depot Hill.
The partners have experience opening franchise eateries in Alaska; they opened the first Firehouse Subs in Alaska in Fairbanks in 2018 after Greg, a member of Team USA at the 2018 World Men’s Curling Championship, discovered the chain restaurant while on the road competing. At the time, Catharine told FastCasual.com that Greg took the team to eat at Firehouse Subs and they started winning; more Firehouse visits led to more wins and a national title for the team. When a Fairbanks sub shop closed, the partners took it as a sign it was time to bring his good luck with Firehouse Subs to Alaska. They now operate Firehouse Subs restaurants in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Wasilla, along with three Cold Stone Creamery locations in Fairbanks, Wasilla, and Eagle River.
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“We’re thrilled to bring this beloved brand to the state of Alaska,” Greg says. “Blaze Pizza is like nothing else in the area. Whether for a quick lunch or a family dinner where everyone can customize their pizza and get exactly what they want, we can’t wait for everyone in Wasilla to give Blaze a try.”
Pizzas made to order are cooked in a fast-fired artisanal oven.
Patricia Morales | Alaska Business
Guests can combine more than forty-five options, including ingredients like roasted peppers, artichokes, roasted garlic, and plant-based chorizo or keep it simple with a classic pepperoni and cheese pizza. With multiple crusts to choose from, including their signature made-from-scratch dough, a gluten-free crust, and cauliflower, Blaze goes to great lengths to provide guests with an experience that meets their lifestyle.
In addition to pizza, Blaze offers build-your-own and specialty salads, cheesy bread, and desserts. The Wasilla location will offer dine-in and carry-out. The franchise makes giving back to the community a top priority, offering an in-restaurant fundraising program that returns 20 percent of event proceeds back to local organizations and individuals in need. Those interested in fundraisers can visit blazepizza.com/fundraising.
Blaze Pizza opened in Wasilla November 14.
Patricia Morales | Alaska Business
In their company kitchens, the Corporate 100 blend wholesome ingredients with exquisite utensils to create the scrumptious ambrosia that keeps employees gratified and contented. Meet the top Alaska employers ranked by number of Alaskans on their payroll, and learn the recipe for success. This issue also includes a focus on economic development initiatives in Anchorage and Kodiak.