Two one-time teammates are about to go to battle to see who wins over the next generation of pizza eaters.

Former McDonald's (MCD) - Get Report CEO Don Thompson and his new venture-capital firm, Cleveland Avenue, said Tuesday that it acquired a majority stake in upstart fast-casual pizza chain PizzaRev. The make-your-own pizza concept was launched in 2012 by music industry executives Irv Zuckerman and Nicholas Eckerman. It operates 40 restaurants in the U.S., and plans to open about 200 more locations in Mexico and in 14 U.S. states. In 2013, Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) took a minority stake in PizzaRev.

Thompson was a long-time McDonald's executive who ran the Golden Arches from 2012-2015 with mixed success. Since departing, Thompson has made several investments in the food business through Cleveland Avenue, with injection into PizzaRev being the biggest one yet.

As luck would have it, Thompson's arrival onto the pizza scene coincides with a NBA star that used to hawk Big Macs under his watch, but is now all about the pizza.

Since ditching McDonald's to become a spokesman for upstart pizza chain Blaze Pizza last October, Cleveland Cavaliers great LeBron James has amassed a portfolio of more than 16 locations as a franchisee across Chicago and South Florida. James also reportedly owns 10% of Blaze Pizza, a fast-casual chain that is direct competitor to PizzaRev.

James isn't stopping in those regions, however. He has plans to open Blaze Pizza stores in his hometown of Cleveland, Blaze Pizza COO Jim Mizes told TheStreet in an interview last September.

To be sure, Blaze Pizza isn't just a LeBron James story, though the two are now often discussed in the same breath. The fast-growing company continues to gain followers because of its focus on "healthier" ingredients such as gluten-free dough. Blaze Pizza opened 68 new restaurants a year ago, reaching 173 locations across the United States. The chain's sales surged 84% to $186 million last year.

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Editor's Pick: Originally published May 23.