Lebron James’ Fast-Casual Pizzeria Has Plans for a Massive DFW Expansion

— Lebron James-backed pizzeria chain Blaze Pizza is set to saturate the DFW market by opening 20 new pizza outposts over the next several years. The chain, which already operates four locally in Frisco, Arlington, Fort Worth and The Colony, is pushing to operate 1,000 restaurants in at least six countries, up from its current count of nearly 300 in five countries with the goal of becoming a billion-dollar company by 2022. In addition to James, several other star-powered investors are involved in the brand including Maria Shriver and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. [GuideLive]

— District 9 Draught Haus, a new German-themed beer spot will open just east of White Rock lake at 718 North Buckner Boulevard. The beer slingers are Dana and Andy Thompson, the latter being the guitarist for the now-defunct 1990s Dallas alt-rock band Buck Pets. Andy is a home brewer with a penchant for German lagers and bratwurst, therefore the new spot will feature 28 taps of lagers, maibocks, helles lagers, altbier, bocks and double bocks, along with German-themed eats. Look for District 9 to open in mid-November. [CultureMap]

— Trick Pony, Harlowe MXM’s neighboring sister bar, has a new 10-person tasting room Pony Tail devoted to one spirit only. The bar-within-a-bar at the back of the establishment serves up amaro from 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Look for the mirrored wall under an “MXM” sign to sample the bartenders’ amaro-infused concoctions using well-known liqueurs such as Campari and Aperol, alongside some lesser-know counterparts. [Dallas Observer]