BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - Apr 7, 2016) - The wait is over! Baltimore diners get to have their free Blaze Pizza and eat it, too. Today Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, the nation's leading fast-casual artisanal pizza concept opens its debut location in Baltimore.

The new restaurant is located in Baltimore Inner Harbor's Lockwood Plaza at 600 East Pratt Street, across from the iconic National Aquarium. To celebrate, diners are invited to give Blaze Pizza a try on the house. Stop by on Friday, April 8 between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm, and enjoy a free, build-your-own, artisanal pizza. All you have to do is follow Blaze Pizza on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Snapchat.

Blaze Pizza is a modern day "pizza joint" that has been cultivating fanatics since it opened its first location in 2012. Each restaurant features an interactive open-kitchen format that allows guests to customize one of the menu's signature pizzas or create their own, choosing from a wide selection of carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients -- all for around $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.

The concept, known for its custom-built artisanal pizzas, freshly made salads, blood orange lemonade and s'more pies, debuted in Maryland in August 2014 with the opening of its Bethesda location in Montgomery Mall. Two additional locations opened later that year at the University of Maryland in College Park and the Towne Centre in Laurel.

"From our high-quality ingredients and made-to-order pies to our expert pizzasmiths and welcoming staff, the Blaze Pizza experience cannot be beat. Blaze is so much more than your typical pizza shop," said Amit Patel, Operating Partner for Blaze Pizza in Maryland. "Baltimore residents, workers and tourists will be hooked on our one-of-a-kind concept."

Each restaurant makes its own dough from scratch, using a recipe developed by critically-acclaimed Executive Chef Bradford Kent (the "Pizza Whisperer"), which requires a 24-hour fermentation period to produce his signature light-as-air, crisp crust. For pizza fans with specific dietary needs, Blaze Pizza offers gluten-free dough and vegan cheese.

The authenticity of Blaze Pizza, along with its culture that focuses on the happiness of their guests and crew, has been the key to the concept's nationwide popularity and expansion. Blaze's close attention to detail extends well beyond the food, as seen by its carefully considered, modern approach to restaurant design. Award-winning design architect Ana Henton has added several unique, modern touches to the Baltimore location including an oversized, custom wall mural that features an ode to the National Aquarium across the street.

Driven by its commitment to "Intelligent Choices for Our Pizzas, People & Planet," the restaurant will be constructed with recycled and sustainable materials, use eco-friendly packaging and feature energy-efficient LED lighting. The 2,900 square foot interior can seat more than 80 diners.

The new Baltimore Blaze Pizza will be operated by New Jersey-based AMPAL Pizza, LLC, which continues to develop the concept throughout Maryland, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia.

About Blaze Pizza
The first Blaze Pizza® restaurant opened on Aug. 6, 2012, in Irvine, Calif., and quickly gained attention for its chef-driven recipes, thoughtful interior design, and a service culture that celebrates individuality. Now ranked as the overall #2 fast-casual brand in FastCasual.com's annual Top 100 list, Blaze Pizza is building momentum and developing a cult-like following as it expands across the country. The company currently operates 120 restaurants in 27 states and Canada, including the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Dallas, Las Vegas and Washington D.C. Founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel (co-founder of Wetzel's Pretzels), the concept is backed by investors including LeBron James, Maria Shriver, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Boston Red Sox co-owner Tom Werner and movie producer John Davis. For more information, please visit blazepizza.com and facebook.com/blazepizza or click here to view a company video.

Blaze Pizza®, Fast-Fire'd®, the horizontal logo design, and the proprietary names "Pizzasmith," "Intelligent Choices For Our Pizzas, People & Planet" and related trademarks are the property of Blaze Pizza LLC.