Jim Treliving: Net Worth, Boston Pizza & Dragons’ Den

Most people know Jim Treliving as the no-nonsense Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, but his road to becoming a Canadian business icon started in an RCMP uniform. In 1966, while working as a young Mountie in Edmonton, he walked into a Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House — a decision that would eventually lead him to co-own the entire chain.

Age: 83 (born May 12, 1941) ·
Known for: Co-owner of Boston Pizza, former Dragon on Dragons’ Den ·
Estimated net worth: $250 million CAD ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Years on Dragons’ Den: 2006–2021

Seven key facts about Jim Treliving, one pattern: a career built on leveraging a single restaurant bet into a diversified empire.

Does Jim Treliving still own Boston Pizza?

Yes, Jim Treliving still co-owns Boston Pizza International. He and his brother John purchased the original Boston Pizza in 1968 with money borrowed from their father, according to the Horatio Alger Association (renowned membership organization). Treliving later bought the entire chain for $3.5 million and now serves as Chairman and Owner. CBC (Canada’s public broadcaster) reports that Boston Pizza has operations in three countries and over $1 billion in annual system-wide sales.

What is Jim Treliving’s involvement with Mr. Lube?

Jim Treliving co-founded Mr. Lube in 1976, but he sold his interest in the chain in the 1980s. The exact date of the sale is not publicly confirmed. Mr. Lube grew into a major quick-lube chain across Canada, but Treliving’s focus remained on Boston Pizza and later television.

The implication: Boston Pizza remains Treliving’s primary business vehicle, and his continued ownership signals confidence in the brand’s long-term growth despite a competitive casual-dining market.

How rich is Jim Treliving?

Jim Treliving’s net worth is estimated at $250 million CAD, according to multiple sources including CBC (Canada’s public broadcaster) and Wikipedia. His wealth comes from Boston Pizza, the sale of Mr. Lube, his 15-year run on Dragons’ Den, and a portfolio of real estate, sports, and entertainment investments.

What is Jim Treliving’s net worth?

The $250 million CAD figure is an estimate because Boston Pizza is privately held. CBC notes that the chain generates over $1 billion in annual system-wide sales, making Treliving one of the wealthiest Dragons on the show. A business podcast (Elaine’s Kitchen Table) reported that the chain has over 400 locations across North America.

The trade-off: private ownership means exact net worth is opaque, but the $250M estimate is widely cited and consistent with the chain’s reported scale.

Why did Jim Treliving leave Dragons’ Den?

Jim Treliving left Dragons’ Den after 15 seasons in 2021. In his exit statement, he said the decision was a natural transition, allowing him to focus on his own businesses and family, as reported by Wikipedia. He called his departure deliberate, not a retirement.

What was Jim Treliving’s best mistake?

Treliving has often described his best mistake as buying a failing pizza restaurant that became Boston Pizza. Speaking to The Globe and Mail (leading Canadian newspaper), he said: “I’m emotional about work, practical about money and instinctual about people.”

How did his entrepreneurial journey begin?

He started his career as an RCMP officer. In 1966, while still a Mountie, he walked into a Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House in Edmonton. Two years later, he borrowed $3,000 from his father, quit the force, and became the first franchisee of the chain. He eventually bought the entire company for $3.5 million, as detailed by Horatio Alger Association.

“I’m emotional about work, practical about money and instinctual about people.”

— Jim Treliving, as told to The Globe and Mail

The pattern: Treliving’s career is a series of calculated leaps — from policeman to franchisee, from franchisee to chain owner, from restaurateur to TV personality. Each exit was timed to capture value, not to escape trouble.

How many times has Jim Treliving been married?

Jim Treliving has been married three times. His first wife was Barbara Treliving; they divorced. His current wife is Lisa Treliving. The name of his second wife has not been publicly confirmed. He has two children: James Treliving Jr. and Christina Treliving.

Who is Jim Treliving’s wife?

His current wife is Lisa Treliving. She is not extensively in the public eye, but the couple resides in British Columbia.

Who is Jim Treliving’s first wife?

His first wife was Barbara Treliving. They had two children before divorcing. Barbara’s last name is not publicly known beyond her married name.

What this means: for those researching Treliving, the family picture is incomplete. The confirmed facts are three marriages, two children, and a current spouse; the rest is speculative.

What is Jim Treliving doing now?

Jim Treliving remains active as Chairman of Boston Pizza International. He is also deeply involved in philanthropy through the Boston Pizza Foundation, which has raised over $24 million for Canadian charities since 1990, according to CBC (Canada’s public broadcaster). He also supports the David Foster Foundation. He makes occasional public speaking appearances and mentors young entrepreneurs.

What businesses does Jim Treliving currently own?

His primary business is Boston Pizza International. He has also made investments in real estate, sports, and entertainment, as reported by CBC.

Is Jim Treliving involved in philanthropy?

Yes. The Boston Pizza Foundation, founded in 1990, has raised over $24 million for charities. Treliving has also been a major supporter of the David Foster Foundation, which helps families with children in need of organ transplants. Horatio Alger Association notes that Treliving credits his RCMP background with instilling a sense of community service.

Philanthropy is not just giving money — it’s giving time and leadership. The Boston Pizza Foundation is about making a real difference in the communities where our guests live.

— Jim Treliving, Horatio Alger Association interview

The upshot: Treliving’s post-Dragons’ Den life is a deliberate shift from TV exposure to business stewardship and giving back. He’s not retired — he’s reallocated his time.

Timeline

• 1941: Born in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.
• 1968: Purchased Boston Pizza with brother John.
• 1976: Co-founded Mr. Lube.
• 1990: Launched Boston Pizza Foundation.
• 2006: Joined CBC’s Dragons’ Den as a Dragon.
• 2021: Left Dragons’ Den after 15 seasons.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Jim Treliving co-owns Boston Pizza.
• He was a Dragon on Dragons’ Den from 2006 to 2021.
• He was married three times.
• He co-founded Mr. Lube.
• His net worth is estimated at $250 million CAD.

What’s unclear

• Exact date of sale of Mr. Lube stake.
• Names of some spouses beyond first and current.
• Exact current net worth (private company valuation).
• Number of Boston Pizza locations (reportedly over 400 per Elaine’s Kitchen Table podcast).
• Exact annual system-wide sales (CBC says over $1 billion, but exact figure not publicly audited).

Summary

Jim Treliving’s story is a masterclass in converting a single, seemingly risky franchise into a diversified empire — and then knowing when to step away from the spotlight. Treliving bet big on one thing he understood, sold side ventures early, and never let television fame distract from the core business that built Boston Pizza.

Frequently asked questions