Blaze Pizza names new CEO John Owen amid declining sales and store closures

Blaze Pizza has appointed John Owen as its new CEO, replacing Beto Guajardo. The leadership change comes as the fast-casual pizza chain faces challenges, including a drop in unit numbers and declining industry sales.

Owen brings decades of experience, having worked at McDonald's for 30 years before leading Subway Russia and Scooter's Coffee. Founded in 2012 by Rick and Elise Wetzel, Blaze Pizza has seen its store count shrink. By the end of 2024, it operated 294 locations—down from around 330 in June. The decline reflects broader struggles in the fast-casual pizza sector, where sales fell by 5% last year, according to Technomic.

The chain is now owned by Brentwood Associates, with Dollarhyde Investment Group holding a minority stake. Rahul Aggarwal, a Blaze board member, highlighted Owen's focus on customer experience and relationship-building as key strengths for the role.

Owen's career includes three decades at McDonald's, where he rose to corporate vice president. He later became CEO of Subway Russia before serving as chief operating officer at Scooter's Coffee. As CEO of Blaze Pizza, he plans to emphasise the brand's customisation options to keep it competitive. With Owen at the helm, Blaze Pizza aims to stabilise its business amid a tough market. His experience in fast food and leadership roles could help the chain adapt to changing consumer demands. The company's future will depend on reversing recent declines while maintaining its focus on customisable pizzas.