A44/100FDD 2025
Blaze Pizza — Litigation & Risk
Food & Beverage - Full Service · FDD Items 3, 4 & 5
Moderate — Review
1 case disclosed in FDD Items 3 and 4.
Source: FDD Items 3–5
FDD Items 3 & 4
Litigation Metrics
Cases disclosed
1
Total from FDD Items 3 and 4
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
—
Franchisor or officer bankruptcy
Overall risk score
44 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
STRONG
STRONG / MODERATE / CAUTION / AVOID
7(a) FOIA data · FY2020–present
SBA Loan Performance
Aggregated from public SBA 7(a) loan disclosures. Default rate is the share of loans that were charged off or settled for less than the full balance.
Total 7(a) loans
43
Government-backed loans issued
Default rate
0.0%
vs <3% typical · system-wide
5-yr default rate
0.0%
Defaults
0 loans
Loans charged off or defaulted
Total loan volume
$30.5M
Avg loan size
$710K
Participating lenders
22
FDD Items 5, 6 & 17 — what you give up
Contract Risk Indicators
Mandatory arbitration
Required
Disputes resolved outside court — limits your legal options
Jury trial waiver
Waived
You give up the right to a jury trial
Non-compete
2 yrs
Post-termination restriction on similar businesses
Franchisor can compete
Yes
Franchisor can open competing locations in or near your territory
Right of first refusal
Yes
Franchisor can match any purchase offer when you try to sell
Governing law
California
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there
What drove the 44/100 rating
Risk Score Breakdown
- 01MEDUnit count declined 10.2% YoY (265 units) — indicates systemic challenges or market saturation
- 02MEDNo disclosed net income data despite $1.28M avg revenue — opacity raises profitability concerns
- 03HIGHLitigation history (Zebrasky 2019-2020) involving consumer protection and gift card mishandling — suggests operational/compliance issues
- 04MINORHigh initial investment range ($666,900–$1,143,000) with 10-year commitment creates significant capital lock-up
- 05MINOR5% royalty on gross sales (not net) — franchisees pay even during unprofitable months
Severity inferred from FDD text — not a regulatory or legal classification
Litigation data from FDD Items 3, 4, and 5. SBA data from public 7(a) FOIA records (FY2020–present). Not legal advice — consult a franchise attorney before signing any franchise agreement.