Jim Treliving is a regular on the Dragon’s Den and the owner of Boston Pizza and he’ll be in Virden on Monday afternoon.

In 2019 Treliving, who grew up in Virden, was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. However due to covid he couldn’t have his Hometown Star event until now.

He chose to hold his event in his old hometown of Virden and at the Aud Theatre. Michelle Chyzyk is coordinating the entertainment for the ceremony.

“He grew up here and so many people remember him and he went on to fame and fortune to become owner of Boston Pizza. We were thrilled he had selected the Aud Theatre as the recipient of a $10,000 donation as part of his induction in Canada’s Walk of Fame.”

Jim Treliving is Chairman and owner of BostonPizza International. Starting from a single restaurant franchise in 1968, today he has businesses have operations throughout North America in the retail, manufacturing, real estate and service sectors with annual system-wide sales exceeding $1 billion.

Prior to acquiring BPI, Treliving was a multi-unit franchisee of Boston Pizza with 18 full-service restaurant locations in British Columbia.

Jim Treliving was born and raised in Virden. At eighteen years old, he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and served on the Force for eight years, in British Columbia and Alberta. After trying pizza for the first time in a restaurant in Edmonton, Jim thought he might try his hand at business. He took the leap and opened the very first Boston Pizza franchise in Penticton, British Columbia in 1968. Jim Treliving has since grown the operation from one location to more than 400 restaurants across North America.

“It’s like a homecoming for Jim Treliving and so we’re making this event as special as possible and there will be lots of great entertainment at the ceremony” said Michelle Chyzyk.

Doors of the Aud Theatre open at 4:45 with the entertainment starting at 5:00pm and the ceremony is set for 5:30. “There will be the unveiling of a plaque, the cheque donation and all sorts of things involved with the program.”

 

“We’re thrilled to have Jim coming back to Virden.”