Since an excellent Saturday evening at the Famoso Neapolitan Pizza, the one in the big-box Christy’s Corner shopping centre at 137 Avenue and St. Albert Trail, I’m experiencing a flashback.
The Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria chain, since first opening five years ago at Jasper and 118 Street, is now four strong in the region, two more on the way, and plans for outlets across Western Canada.
This is the Boston Pizza story, all over again!In 1964, Gus Agioritis opened the very first Boston Pizza in Edmonton and thereafter started franchising. Individuals like Ron Coyle, Jim Treliving and George Melville bought franchises, then purchased the “brand.” Today there’s 325 Boston Pizzas across Canada. Many Edmonton franchise owners bought in early. They and their descendants are now very, very rich.