Mother's Pizza grew from one Hamilton shop to 120 locations — then went into receivership

Mother's Pizza Parlour and Spaghetti House was founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1970 by Grey Sisson, Ken Fowler, and Pasquale Marra. The concept was a family-friendly pizza and spaghetti restaurant with a nostalgic atmosphere, serving large portions at affordable prices. The chain grew rapidly through the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually reaching approximately 120 locations across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

The founders' rapid expansion outran their ability to manage quality and profitability at the corporate level. In 1987, fifteen underperforming corporate-owned locations were sold to Bayswater Partnership — which included Toronto Blue Jays catcher Ernie Whitt — for $9.8 million. The Bayswater group described the restaurants as lacking 'active, hands-on owners,' suggesting the franchisor had lost operational control over its own stores.

By 1989 the chain's financial position had deteriorated to the point of receivership. Little Caesars acquired 52 locations in the deal, converting most Mother's Pizza restaurants into its own brand. The Mother's name gradually disappeared from the Canadian landscape, with the original Westdale location in Hamilton remaining open until 1992. A brief revival opened four new Ontario locations between 2013 and 2019, but all closed within a few years.