LeBron-invested pizza place becomes fastest growing chain in US

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers  JASON MILLER/Getty Images/AFP

LeBron James has certainly earned enough throughout his career to last multiple lifetimes, but he continues to make smart investments with his money.

Among his successful ventures is the emerging build-your-own pizza chain “Blaze Pizza,” which recently opened its 200th branch in just four years—making it the fastest-growing restaurant in the US.

“LeBron helps us punch in terms of our brand awareness well above our weight,” Blaze Pizza CEO Jim Mizes told Forbes.com.

The four-time NBA MVP first invested in the restaurant in 2012, and currently owns 10 percent of the company, the report said.

In 2015 James shunned a reported $14-million endorsement deal with fast-food chain McDonald’s to be able to join Blaze Pizza’s marketing campaigns.

Since then, “The King” has promoted the innovative pizza place on his social media accounts.

I mean who doesn’t like pizza 🍕!!!! 🤷🏾‍♂️. 😂😂😂. Ain’t that right @BlazePizza?!?! https://t.co/udZyBCGRUc

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 11, 2017

James even appeared as an undercover employee named “Ron” in a viral promotional video for the company.  Khristian Ibarrola /ra