Boston Pizza International Inc. has announced the grand opening of its first restaurant and sports bar here on Monday, Nov. 2.
The new restaurant, located at 840 King’s Highway, will create 95 new jobs and play an active role in the community.

The Boston Pizza will be managed by local franchisees Dale Fortes and his wife, Elizabeth Leishman-Fortes.
With 22 years of retail service experience, the couple is confident Boston Pizza’s unique dining experience and focus on community support will be a real hit with people all over the region.
“We are so excited to grow this business in a place we believe is brimming with potential,” lauded Fortes.
“We believe that through Boston Pizza, we will be in the position to give back to this region that has been so supportive of us,” he added.
The franchisees will continue the Boston Pizza tradition of giving back to the community even before its doors open to the public.
At the grand-opening celebration this evening, the staff will pool their gratuities collected from the six “dress rehearsals” and split the donations between the Salvation Army and the United Native Friendship Centre.
The Fortes’ have pledged to be major supporters of the community year-round, actively supporting minor sports teams, schools, and charities within the local area.
They also will help raise funds for Kids Help Phone, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada through donations to the Boston Pizza Foundation, which has generated more than $9 million for various Canadian charities since its inception in 1990.
The new restaurant will feature Boston Pizza’s latest interior and exterior design model, creating a modern atmosphere for the location that will seat roughly 250 in the dining room, sports bar, and patio–ensuring plenty of room for a party of any size.
“The uniqueness of the Boston Pizza is what drew Elizabeth and I to the brand,” explained Fortes.
“We are able to provide a distinct dining experience to both locals and tourists alike, and at the same time, help support the area through charitable initiatives and community involvement.
“We are very proud to bring Boston Pizza to Fort Frances,” he added.