NBA's Gooden Buys Into Wingstop Franchise, Citing Lockout The Milwaukee Bucks forward says he's thinking about his future as he signs pact to open four locations of the national hot-wings chain in Orlando.

By Dinah Wisenberg Brin

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Drew Gooden

The ongoing NBA lockout may give players time to pursue other business opportunities, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden is wasting no time.

The 30-year-old basketball pro has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Wingstop, a national hot-wings chain, with plans for opening four new restaurants in Orlando over the next few years.

Gooden, who previously played for the Orlando Magic, and a partner, George Taylor III, have formed Zerocon Food Systems LLC and expect to open the venture's first restaurant early next year, according to a release this week from the Texas-based chain.

"With the lockout, a lot of us are thinking about our future and looking for new business and investment opportunities," Gooden says in a statement. "I've been a big fan of Wingstop for years, so this is a perfect fit for me."

The NBA earlier this week canceled the first two weeks of its regular season, as a battle continues over how players and owners will divide the league's $4 billion in annual revenue.

Dave Vernon, Wingstop's vice president of franchise sales, says Gooden has shown "great enthusiasm for the brand and a strong head for business throughout the franchise process." Taylor, he adds, is a "strong operational partner" who will help ensure the restaurants' success in Orlando.

"There's a huge market of wing eaters in Orlando and I just want to provide them with the best product out there, hands down," says Gooden, who has adopted Orlando as his hometown.

Gooden follows a long line of other sports figures and entertainers, including former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson, who have invested in franchises.

Wingstop has more than 485 restaurants in the United States and Mexico. Hip-hop artist Rick Ross recently opened his first Wingstop in Memphis and Troy Aikman, the Fox Sports analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, sits on the company's board.

Dinah Wisenberg Brin is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She has covered business, politics, healthcare and general news for wire services, newspapers, blogs and other publications.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

I Started a Semi-Passive Side Hustle That Earns $33,000 a Week on Amazon: 'Selling There Is a No-Brainer'

Dr. Jenny Woo wanted to create a product that would help people connect, and it turned out to be a lucrative one.

Business News

Compass Agrees to Pay $57.5 Million to Settle Real Estate Commissions Lawsuits

The class action lawsuits accused Compass of violating antitrust law and conspiring to overcharge U.S. home sellers.

Business News

Jerry Seinfeld Is Now Reportedly a Billionaire — Here's Where His Wealth Comes From

Seinfeld also boasts an impressive real estate portfolio.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

X Is Losing Users and Struggling to Attract Creators, According to New Data

The company, which is owned by Elon Musk, says that 1.7 million people join the platform every day.