Established
1964
Franchise Units
24
Minimum Investment
$500,000
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Total Investment Range
$2,887,025
Home Based
No
Description
Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar is a leading casual dining and sports bar franchise that blends gourmet pizza, classic American comfort food, and a high-energy bar experience—all under one roof. Founded on a legacy that dates back to 1964 in Edmonton, Canada, the Boston’s brand officially entered the U.S. market in 1998 and has been growing steadily ever since.
With a strong reputation for scratch-made food, community-driven hospitality, and a unique two-in-one restaurant and bar concept, Boston’s stands out in the crowded food and beverage franchise industry. Its dual-concept model appeals equally to families, groups of friends, and sports enthusiasts—making it a versatile business opportunity in both metropolitan and suburban markets.
Ranked among Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 and backed by decades of franchising expertise, Boston’s offers U.S. investors a chance to join a trusted, scalable, and profitable foodservice brand.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Proven Dual-Concept Model – Operates as a family-friendly restaurant paired with a lively sports bar, maximizing customer demographics and revenue streams.
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Recognized Brand Power – A part of Boston Pizza Restaurants, one of the most recognized pizza and sports bar brands across North America with more than 400 locations in Canada and Mexico combined.
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High Unit Economics – Average unit sales reported above $1.8 million annually, with some locations exceeding $3.5 million.
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Multiple Revenue Streams – Dine-in, sports bar sales (food + alcohol), take-out, catering, delivery, and merchandise.
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Comprehensive Franchise Support – Training, marketing, operations, and technology to simplify ownership.
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Industry Growth – The casual dining and sports bar industry in the U.S. continues to thrive, with pizza remaining a top consumer choice nationwide.
Background
Founded: 1964 in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada).
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U.S. Entry: 1998 under the name Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar.
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Ownership: Operates in the U.S. under Boston Pizza Restaurants, L.P., headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
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Franchising Since: 2001 in the United States.
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Current Franchise Units: ~24 locations in the U.S., over 400 in Canada, and 20+ in Mexico.
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Industry Category: Casual dining, sports bar, and pizza restaurant franchise.
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Brand Journey: Started as a single pizza shop in 1964, Boston’s has grown into a billion-dollar global brand with systemwide sales exceeding $1 billion annually. Its U.S. franchise continues to expand with flexible formats, including free-standing restaurants, conversions of existing casual dining units, and non-traditional sites (airports, casinos, sports facilities).
Support Training
Boston’s offers end-to-end franchise support to ensure each location thrives from day one:
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Pre-Launch Support:
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Real estate site selection and market analysis.
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Design, construction, and conversion assistance for new or existing spaces.
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Financing guidance through preferred lending partners.
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Comprehensive Training:
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6 weeks of classroom and hands-on training at Boston’s corporate training facility in Dallas.
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On-site training during opening (3–4 weeks).
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Ongoing educational programs covering operations, hospitality, and team leadership.
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Operational Support:
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Access to proven operating systems.
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Technology platforms for POS, inventory, and customer engagement.
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Field consultants for performance monitoring.
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Marketing Support:
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National brand campaigns funded by a 3% advertising contribution.
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Local store marketing strategies tailored to community demographics.
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Digital marketing tools, social media templates, and seasonal promotions.
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Ongoing Assistance:
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New product/menu development.
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Annual franchisee conventions and networking events.
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Continuous operational audits to maintain quality and efficiency.
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Ideal Candidate
Boston’s seeks motivated entrepreneurs and investors who are ready to operate a community-driven business in the casual dining and sports bar space.
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Business Background: Prior experience in hospitality, foodservice, or multi-unit operations is preferred but not mandatory. Strong leadership and people management skills are essential.
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Passion: Must be passionate about creating a lively, customer-centric environment where families and sports fans feel equally at home.
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Financial Capability:
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Net worth of $1–2 million.
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Minimum of $500,000 in liquid capital per restaurant.
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Investor Type: Single-unit operators, multi-unit developers, or area developers.
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Location Preference:
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High-traffic retail centers, suburban hubs, and metro markets.
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Conversion opportunities from existing casual dining spaces.
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Non-traditional venues such as casinos, sports arenas, and travel plazas.
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Financial Detail
| Financial Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 per unit |
| Total Investment | $1,040,500 – $2,887,025 (depending on location & build-out) |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $500,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $1–2 million |
| Area Developer Fee | $170,000 – $259,000 (depending on unit commitment) |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fee | 3% of gross sales |
| Working Capital | $30,000 – $50,000 recommended |
| Franchise Units (USA) | ~24 |
| Revenue Potential | $1.8M average unit sales; up to $3.5M in high-performing locations |
| ROI & Break-even | Typically 3–5 years (varies by market & performance) |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-in sales, bar sales, alcohol, catering, delivery, take-out, and merchandise |