LeBron James-backed Pizza Restaurant Ready to Open in Storrs

Got pizza?

UConn students and Mansfield - Storrs area residents will have a new option to sate their pizza cravings.

Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza, the fast-casual artisanal pizza concept known for its chef-driven menus and casually hip restaurants, will open near the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, on Thursday, Jan. 28. The restaurant has financial backing from NBA superstar LeBron James, Maria Shriver, Boston Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner and movie producer John Davis.

To celebrate the grand opening, the restaurant will offer free build-your-own artisanal pizzas on Friday, Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. to anyone who follows Blaze Pizza on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

The new restaurant, which features a 2,700 square foot interior with seating for 55, is located at 12 Royce Circle, in Storrs Center.

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It is Blaze’s second venture in Connecticut. The first Blaze Pizza opened in in December.

The restaurants serve custom-built pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade and s’more pies with an interactive open-kitchen format that allows guests to customize one of the menu’s signature pizzas or create their own, choosing from a selection of fresh, artisanal ingredients – all for about $8. The generously-sized personal pizzas are then sent to a blazing hot open-flame oven – the centerpiece of the restaurant – where dedicated pizzasmiths ensure that the thin-crust pies are fast-fire’d and ready to eat in just 180 seconds.

For pizza fans with specific dietary needs, Blaze Pizza offers gluten-free dough and vegan cheese. The Storrs restaurant also will feature a selection of wine and craft beer.

“Our mission at Blaze is really simple – we’re taking pizza back to its roots, “ said Jim Mizes, president & COO of Blaze Pizza. “By making dough in-house, carefully sourcing ingredients, and cooking by fire, we’re giving guests a great way to enjoy artisanal pizza without the wait. It’s changing the way people think about and eat pizza.”

Blaze Pizza plans to continue its commitment to build strong roots within the community with its in-restaurant fundraiser program that returns 20 percent of an event’s proceeds back to local organizations, and will be partnering with local schools, sports clubs and other organizations to host fundraising events at the new restaurant.

The restaurant will be operated by Lessing’s Franchise Group, Inc. of New York, led by Michael and Mark Lessing.

Contributed photo.