Introducing Ron, the towering new recruit at Blaze pizza, standing at an impressive height of 6 feet 8 inches. Hailing from the state of Michigan, this spicy sauce enthusiast embarks on his first day on the job with an admission: he knows absolutely nothing about basketball (yes, really).
As Ron interacts with customers, they can’t help but notice his striking resemblance to Miami Heat superstar, Dwayne Wade. Surprisingly enough, Ron is no stranger to these comparisons and candidly acknowledges that he hears them quite frequently. However, it doesn’t stop there. Some observant individuals are quick to point out that Ron also bears an uncanny resemblance to none other than basketball legend, LeBron James. And here comes the unexpected twist – it just might be because Ron is, in fact, the basketball legend LeBron James himself.
Introducing ‘Ron’, the freshest addition to the team at Blaze Pizza, who happens to bear no resemblance to the renowned basketball icon LeBron James.
Ron, a friendly restaurant worker with a deep knowledge of pizza but an absence of sports knowledge, recently made headlines when he appeared in a viral video for Blaze Pizza. As a key investor and spokesperson for the Cleveland Cavaliers player, LeBron, he decided to surprise customers by posing as an employee at a Blaze store in Pasadena on March 11. In the video, he can be seen shadowing another employee and jokingly referring to himself as a “very large shadow” to customers.
Despite his famous status, LeBron managed to go unnoticed by the customers who only saw him as Ron, a helpful and dedicated employee. One customer even compared him to his former Miami Heat teammate, Dwayne Wade, without realizing his true identity.
Ron enthusiastically assisted customers, explaining the various sauce options available at Blaze Pizza while expressing his personal preference for the spicy sauce. However, his lack of basketball knowledge became evident when he encountered a man wearing a basketball-themed sweater. Ron turned to a fellow employee and asked if the design depicted a golf ball. The employee corrected him, explaining that it was, in fact, a basketball. Unfazed, Ron attempted another guess, this time speculating if the referee holds something through the goal posts in basketball. His co-worker, somewhat frustrated, clarified that it was actually a reference to football.
Despite his unfamiliarity with sports, Ron’s dedication to providing excellent service to Blaze Pizza customers never wavered. This humorous encounter showcased a different side of LeBron, reminding fans that beyond his basketball prowess, he can also embody the role of an average, friendly restaurant worker.
However, he isn’t your average employee – he happens to be none other than LeBron James, the NBA sensation. In a unique marketing venture, he assumed an undercover role at Blaze Pizza in Pasadena, California.
LeBron, known for being photographed taking selfies with fans, also happens to have a 10 percent stake in Blaze, which is currently one of the fastest-growing casual dining establishments.
Later on, after finishing his work for the day, Ron decides to leave the store. However, before leaving, he takes a moment to take a selfie with some fans who are waiting further down the line.
Blaze is taking advantage of the growing demand for fast-casual dining, a combination of fast food and sit-down dining that offers a standard menu while allowing customers to customize their orders to their heart’s content.
While Subway and Chipotle have dominated the industry for a long time, with Chipotle being the trendy choice until the E Coli scare occurred, Forbes suggests that Blaze is carving out its own unique place in the market.
According to a report from November of last year, the chain was opening a new location approximately every five days, and its sales last year exceeded $105 million, a significant increase from the previous year’s revenue of just $33 million.
LeBron was an early investor in Blaze, which was founded by Rick and Elise Wetzel of Wetzel’s Pretzels fame. It is estimated that he currently owns approximately 10 percent of the company, in addition to his ownership of franchises in Chicago and Florida.