Top 10 Famous Franchise Owners

While celebrities may rake in millions from their “day jobs,” they also increase their net worth through smart investments, endorsement deals and entrepreneurship. And when it comes to creating wealth, diversifying financial portfolios and expanding their businesses, franchises are emerging as a powerful asset, attracting high-profile figures such as athletes, actors, singers and other celebrities to this profitable business model.

Which celebrities refine their business acumen away from the spotlight? Check out these 10 business-savvy celebrity franchise owners.

Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is tasting victory both on and off the field. Not only does Mahomes have the NFL’s largest contract ever (a $450 million extension in 2020), but he also owns a stake in the Texas-based Whataburger franchise. The franchise, which generates average sales of an estimated $3.2 million at each location, plans to open 30 locations in Missouri and Kansas in the coming years. In 2020, Mahomes also purchased a minority stake in the Kansas City Royals sports franchise.

Rick Ross

As the founder of Maybach Music Group, Ross doesn’t miss a thing when it comes to franchise investments. The rapper owns almost thirty Wingstop restaurants. According to Ross, the franchises generate about $7 million for him annually. The profitability of the franchise might explain why he gifted one of his Wingstop locations to his son for his 16th birthday.

Magic Johnson

Since Magic Johnson earned more than $100 million (adjusted for inflation) as an NBA superstar, he has emerged as an astute investor, with a net worth of roughly $1.2 billion. As of 2022, the former Los Angeles Lakers star owned several TGI Fridays franchise locations and several Starbucks coffee shops. Returning to his athletic roots, Johnson also has ownership stakes in multiple sports franchises, including the Washington Commanders (NFL), the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Football Club (MLS).

Drew Brees

The former NFL quarterback scored a touchdown as he retired with his investment in multiple franchises. With a reported net worth of approximately $160 million, the retired New Orleans Saints star invested in the fitness-focused Stretch Zone, the health-food-focused Everbowl, Dunkin’, Happy’s Irish Pub and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.

Mark Wahlberg

Proving to be a success both on and off screen, Wahlberg owns or invests in a variety of companies ranging from clothing and food to car dealerships and fitness. Perhaps Wahlberg’s most famous venture is the Wahlburgers franchise that he and his brothers founded in 2011. This continues to expand around the world, with over 100 locations (at the time of writing) and a 2022 launch in Australia. It’s no surprise that Wahlberg, a workout fanatic, also invested in F45 Training, a Texas-based fitness franchise that focuses on HIIT-style workouts. In 2019, he acquired a pre-IPO stake in the company (valued at approximately $450 million), which has more than 2,000 locations worldwide.

Venus Williams

Tennis legend Venus Williams hit a grand slam with her ownership of four Jamba franchises and fell in love with the health-focused brand. Famous for its customizable smoothies, juices and healthy bowls, Jamba boasts more than 750 locations across the US, with each location generating approximately $731,000 in revenue each year (as of 2022). Along with sister Serena, she also owns a stake in the Miami Dolphins franchise.

Drake

Dave’s Hot Chicken franchise launched in 2017 as a pop-up restaurant in Hollywood and caught the attention of rapper Drake who signed on as a stakeholder in 2021. With more than 700 U.S. and international locations, the company saw total revenue growth of 156% in 2022 compared to 2021. .

Sjaak

Since retiring, this larger-than-life basketball player has made a second career of investing wisely. With a net worth of over $400 million (thanks in part to his ownership of multiple fast food franchises), Shaquille O’Neal owns 155 Five Guys burger joints, 17 Auntie Anne’s locations, as well as Papa Johns pizzerias, Krispy Kreme donut shops and Big Chicken sandwich restaurants.

Megan Thee Stallion

This Grammy-winning rapper signed a sizzling deal with the Miami, Florida-based Popeyes fried chicken franchise. Not only does Stallion own multiple locations, but her unique partnership also includes branded merchandise (Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce, apparel and other products), a significant philanthropic donation and a development agreement that designates her as a franchisee. Founded in 1972, Popeyes has more than 2,700 restaurants in the U.S. and worldwide, with each location bringing in nearly $2 million in revenue.

Le Bron James

The NBA icon suffered a blow in 2012 when he invested less than $1 million in Blaze Pizza, the build-your-own-pie startup headquartered in Pasadena, California. Since then, the franchise has grown to more than 340 locations in 38 states and six countries. As of 2020, this partial ownership/investment in the fast-casual pizza franchise has generated an equity stake of approximately $35 million.

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