Operations

Blaze Pizza names John Owen CEO, launches GLP-1 pizza

January 6, 2026

Blaze Pizza has named industry veteran John Owen as its chief executive officer, signaling a push for global expansion and technological innovation.

Owen joins the fast casual artisanal pizza chain with 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, most recently serving as chief operating officer of Scooter's Coffee. During his time at the beverage franchisor, he managed more than 900 locations and oversaw a period of double-digit growth in both store counts and same-store sales.

"John's commitment to great guest experiences and his ability to build strong relationships across the system position Blaze for profitable growth and successful expansion in the U.S. and abroad," Rahul Aggarwal, a Blaze Pizza board member and representative of Brentwood Associates, said in a company press release.

Owen's career is rooted in operational fundamentals; he began his career as a crew member at McDonald's Corp. and eventually rose to become corporate vice president of strategy and execution. He also previously served as president and CEO of Subway Russia, where he doubled the brand's footprint to more than 700 locations.

The appointment comes as Blaze Pizza, headquartered in Atlanta, seeks to scale its "fast-fire'd" concept beyond its current footprint of 250 restaurants across 30 states and three countries.

'I'm excited to work alongside our franchisees, the Blaze Pizza support team, and our suppliers to build on that foundation, while unlocking the brand's next phase of innovation and growth," Owen said in the release.

Doubling down on protein

Blaze Pizza is the latest restaurant chain to lean into the high-protein diet trend, announcing the launch of its new "Protein-zza" to cater to health-conscious diners and those following GLP-1 medication regimens.

Debuting Wednesday, the pizza features a cauliflower crust topped with mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, fresh basil, a buffalo sauce drizzle and a double portion of grilled chicken. By utilizing the double-protein serving and a cauliflower base, the company says the pizza delivers 56 grams of protein per pie, or roughly 10 grams per slice.

The move comes as more consumers seek out nutrient-dense options that align with mindful eating habits and medical weight-loss treatments.

"Today's guests want meals that work for their lifestyles, whether that means prioritizing protein, following GLP-1-friendly habits, or simply eating more mindfully," Casey Terrell, chief marketing officer at Blaze Pizza, said in a press release.

The Protein-zza joins the company's existing "Carnivore" pizza, a 60-gram protein option that features pepperoni, ham and meatballs on traditional scratch-made dough.

While the new offering is a set recipe, the Pasadena-based chain continues to push its "build-your-own" model as a way for customers to hit specific nutritional targets. The company noted that diners often "hack" the standard menu by adding plant-based toppings or multiple meat portions to customize their caloric and protein intake.

The Protein-zza will be available for a limited time at participating locations across the country.