NBA superstar LeBron James has ended his business relationship with McDonald’s to become a marketing partner of Blaze Pizza, a growing pizza franchise.
James, who is an original investor in Blaze, the assembly-line fast-casual pizza restaurant, will look to lend his name and marketing power to the brand, which he owns more than 10 percent of, reported ESPN.
“Blaze Pizza isn't your typical pizza chain,” James said in a news release announcing his partnership, via Cleveland.com. “Their model is literally changing the future of the fast casual industry altogether.”
“I initially invested in this company because I knew it was a special idea that offered something people would want,” James added. “Now I'm excited to go all in with Blaze Pizza in this new role and continue to give people a whole new experience.”
Blaze co-founder Rick Wetzel said that he was excited at the prospect of changing the entire industry with LeBron’s marketing power and recognition.
“LeBron is the perfect ambassador for our brand because he embodies everything Blaze Pizza stands for,” Wetzel said. “In everything he does, he is authentic and totally unique.”
Blaze currently has 88 locations across the United States; however Wetzel said that the company is planning to have more than 200 locations by next year, with a restaurant opening every four days.