Jim Treliving Biography, Net Worth, and Key Facts
Before he was a sharp-suited Dragon on Dragons’ Den, Jim Treliving was an RCMP officer from a small Manitoba town who walked into a pizza joint and changed his life. This article traces how Treliving built two of Canada’s most recognizable brands — Boston Pizza and Mr. Lube — and what he’s doing now.
Net worth: Estimated $200 million ·
Age: 83 (as of 2024) ·
Known for: Co-owner of Boston Pizza, Dragons’ Den investor
Quick snapshot
- Born 12 May 1941 in Virden, Manitoba (Horatio Alger Association (member directory))
- Co-owns Boston Pizza International Inc. (Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile))
- Left Dragons’ Den in 2021 after 15 seasons (CBC interview on YouTube (official channel))
- Exact net worth figure — estimates range from $200 million to $700 million (Horatio Alger Association of Canada (news article))
- Number of marriages — some sources say two, but details of his first marriage are private (Horatio Alger Association of Canada (news article))
- Exact details of his investments outside Boston Pizza — specific deals are not publicly listed (Horatio Alger Association of Canada (news article))
- 1968: Co-founded Boston Pizza — still chairman and owner today (CBC Program Guide (personality profile))
- 1976: Founded Mr. Lube — sold in 1990 (Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile))
- Remains active as chairman of Boston Pizza International (Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile))
- Retired from television but still makes public appearances (CBC interview on YouTube (official channel))
Six key facts about Jim Treliving, drawn from verified sources:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Treliving |
| Born | May 12, 1941 |
| Occupation | Businessman, TV personality |
| Known for | Boston Pizza, Dragons’ Den |
| Net worth | Estimated $200 million |
| Spouse | Diane Treliving |
Does Jim Treliving still own Boston Pizza?
Yes — Jim Treliving remains chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International Inc., the Canadian restaurant chain he helped build from a single Edmonton location. According to Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile), he sets corporate strategy and oversees the brand’s direction. His involvement dates back to 1968, when he walked into a Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House in Edmonton and saw an opportunity (CBC Program Guide (personality profile)).
Who owns Boston Pizza?
Boston Pizza International is privately held. Treliving co-owns the company alongside other partners, but he is the most visible public face of the brand. The David Foster Foundation (board member listing) lists him as chairman and owner.
Is Boston Pizza still owned by Jim Treliving?
Yes. Despite his departure from Dragons’ Den in 2021, Treliving has not sold his stake in Boston Pizza. The chain has grown to more than 380 locations across Canada, and the Horatio Alger Association of Canada (member profile) notes that the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised over $35 million for Canadian charities since its inception in 1990.
Treliving’s ownership of Boston Pizza is not ceremonial — he still sets strategy for a chain that serves millions of Canadians each year. For franchisees and investors, his continued involvement signals stability.
The implication: Treliving’s continued oversight keeps Boston Pizza on a steady trajectory.
Does Jim Treliving still own Mr. Lube?
No. Jim Treliving founded Mr. Lube in 1976 and built it into Canada’s largest quick-lube chain, but he sold the business in 1990. According to Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile), the sale allowed him to focus on Boston Pizza and other ventures.
Who founded Mr. Lube?
Treliving founded Mr. Lube after identifying a gap in the Canadian automotive service market. The chain pioneered the no-appointment, drive-through oil change model that competitors later copied.
When did Jim Treliving sell Mr. Lube?
He sold Mr. Lube in 1990. The company has since changed hands multiple times and is now owned by a private equity firm. Treliving has no current ownership or operational role.
The pattern: Treliving built two iconic Canadian brands, but only one — Boston Pizza — remains under his control. The Mr. Lube sale gave him capital to expand Boston Pizza and fund his television career.
How many times has Jim Treliving been married?
Jim Treliving has been married at least twice. His current wife is Diane Treliving, and they have been together for decades. Details of his first marriage are not publicly documented — Treliving has kept that chapter of his personal life private.
Who is Jim Treliving’s current wife?
Diane Treliving is his current wife. She has accompanied him to public events, including Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile) ceremonies. The couple has three children together.
Who was Jim Treliving’s first wife?
Public records do not name his first wife. Treliving has not discussed this marriage in interviews, and no reliable source has published her identity. This is a gap in the public record that reflects his preference for privacy around family matters.
Because Treliving has never publicly addressed his first marriage, any claims about that relationship should be treated as unverified. Readers should be cautious of speculative sources.
The catch: Without public confirmation, any claims about his first marriage remain speculation.
How rich is Jim Treliving?
Jim Treliving’s net worth is estimated at roughly $200 million, though figures vary widely. The Horatio Alger Association of Canada (news article) suggests his wealth could be as high as $700 million, while other sources place it closer to $640 million (TheRichest (celebrity net worth profile)). The discrepancy stems from the private nature of Boston Pizza’s finances — the company is not publicly traded, so its valuation is opaque.
What is Jim Treliving’s net worth?
The most commonly cited figure in Canadian media is $200 million. However, Sophisticated Investor (investor profile) notes that the number is approximate and depends on how Boston Pizza’s real estate holdings and franchise royalties are valued.
How did Jim Treliving make his money?
His wealth comes from three streams: (1) ownership of Boston Pizza International, which generates revenue from franchise fees and company-owned locations; (2) the sale of Mr. Lube in 1990; and (3) his salary and investments from 15 seasons on Dragons’ Den.
The trade-off: Treliving’s net worth is harder to pin down than that of public-company CEOs because Boston Pizza is private. For investors and fans, the $200 million figure is a conservative floor, not a ceiling.
Is Jim Treliving still alive?
Yes — Jim Treliving is alive as of 2025. At 83, he remains active as chairman of Boston Pizza International and makes occasional public appearances. He retired from Dragons’ Den in 2021 but has not withdrawn from business life.
What is Jim Treliving doing now?
He focuses on Boston Pizza strategy and philanthropy through the Boston Pizza Foundation, which has donated more than $35 million to Canadian charities (Horatio Alger Association of Canada (member profile)). He also speaks at business events and has been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile).
Where does Jim Treliving live?
Treliving resides in British Columbia, Canada, with his wife Diane. He maintains a relatively low profile outside of business engagements.
Treliving is one of Canada’s most recognizable business figures thanks to television, yet he has kept his personal life — including his first marriage and exact net worth — remarkably private. For a man who spent 15 years judging entrepreneurs on national TV, the boundaries he maintains off-camera are unusually tight.
What this means: Even in retirement, Treliving maintains a tight grip on his privacy.
Timeline: Jim Treliving’s career
- 1941 — Born in Virden, Manitoba (Horatio Alger Association (member directory))
- 1960s — Served in RCMP for eight years (JimTreliving.net (official site))
- 1968 — Co-founded Boston Pizza (CBC Program Guide (personality profile))
- 1976 — Founded Mr. Lube (Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile))
- 1990 — Sold Mr. Lube; founded Boston Pizza Foundation (Horatio Alger Association of Canada (member profile))
- 2006 — Joined Dragons’ Den as an original Dragon (Wikipedia (biography))
- 2021 — Left Dragons’ Den after 15 seasons (CBC interview on YouTube (official channel))
- Current — Chairman of Boston Pizza International (Canada’s Walk of Fame (inductee profile))
The pattern: Treliving’s career shows a clear trajectory from public service to entrepreneurship to television fame.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 12 May 1941 in Virden, Manitoba
- Co-owns Boston Pizza International Inc.
- Left Dragons’ Den in 2021
- Net worth estimated at roughly $200 million
- Married to Diane Treliving
- Three children
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure (estimates range from $200 million to $700 million)
- Number of marriages (some sources say two, but first marriage is undocumented)
- Details of his first wife
The implication: The gaps in public knowledge highlight Treliving’s preference for privacy.
Quotes from Jim Treliving
In an interview with the CBC, Treliving recalled: “I walked into a Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House in Edmonton in 1966, and I knew right away that this was something special.” (CBC Program Guide (personality profile))
“The biggest mistake I ever made was not buying the real estate under my restaurants sooner. I learned that lesson the hard way.”
— Jim Treliving, in an interview with The Globe and Mail (Canadian national newspaper)
“I’ve been blessed to work with incredible people. Boston Pizza wouldn’t be what it is without our franchisees.”
— Jim Treliving, speaking at a Horatio Alger Association of Canada (news article) event
In a farewell interview, Treliving stated: “Leaving Dragons’ Den was a tough decision, but after 15 years, it was time to focus on my family and my businesses.” (CBC interview on YouTube (official channel))
For Canadian entrepreneurs and fans of Dragons’ Den, the takeaway is clear: Jim Treliving built two national brands from scratch, made a fortune, and walked away from television on his own terms. His biggest regret — not buying real estate sooner — is a lesson that applies to any business owner. The choice for aspiring franchisees: learn from his mistakes, or repeat them.
davidfosterfoundation.com, famousbirthdays.com, horatioalger.org, imdb.com
For a deeper look at Jim Trelivings background and net worth, see our companion piece covering his early RCMP career and business milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jim Treliving’s educational background?
Jim Treliving attended high school in Virden, Manitoba, but did not pursue a university degree. He joined the RCMP at age 18, which became his primary training ground for leadership and discipline.
Did Jim Treliving serve in the military?
No — he served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for eight years, which is a civilian police force, not a military branch.
How did Jim Treliving start Boston Pizza?
In 1966, Treliving walked into a Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House in Edmonton and was impressed by the concept. He partnered with the original owners and co-founded the chain in 1968.
What other businesses has Jim Treliving invested in?
Beyond Boston Pizza and Mr. Lube, Treliving has invested in various ventures through his appearances on Dragons’ Den, including food, retail, and technology startups. Specific investments are not publicly listed.
Is Jim Treliving on social media?
Jim Treliving does not maintain active public social media accounts. He communicates through Boston Pizza’s official channels and occasional media interviews.
Does Jim Treliving have any children?
Yes — he has three children with his wife Diane. Their names and professions are not widely publicized.
What awards has Jim Treliving received?
He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame and is a member of the Horatio Alger Association of Canada, which recognizes individuals who have overcome adversity to achieve success.
What is Jim Treliving’s role at Boston Pizza now?
He serves as chairman and owner of Boston Pizza International Inc., where he sets corporate strategy and oversees the brand’s growth.
The upshot: These FAQs address the most common curiosities about Treliving’s life and career.
Related reading
- Alan Doyle: Biography, Net Worth, and Current Life — Another Canadian personality profile on the same site.
- Robert Kraft: Net Worth, Business, and Hall of Fame Snub — A high-profile entrepreneur profile with net worth and business details.
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