1851

There are a few things you might not know about rapper Rick Ross: First, that his full name is William Leonard Roberts II; and second, that his business portfolio extends to the world of franchising with brands such as Wingstop and Checkers and Rally’s.&nbsp;While Ross’ love for the popular chicken chain is well-documented in his discography, what’s less documented is that he’s since put (and made) his money where his mouth is—Ross made about $7 million from his Wingstop franchises in 2014, <a href="https://thesource.com/2016/07/04/rick-ross-makes-big-moves-to-expand-his-franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">according to a 2016 report in The Source</a>. Ross’ professed love for the product in which he’s invested is a key aspect to his success, as the rapper has lauded Wingstop on social media—and with <a href="https://twitter.com/RickRoss?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">more than 4.5 million followers on Twitter</a>, he’s in a strong position to amplify and promote the brand.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I just love Wingstop,” <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/09/23/rick-ross-chicken-boss-how-a-rapper-got-his-wingstop/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026#2e42267412f8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ross told Forbes in a 2014 interview from one of his restaurants</a>. “As you can see, the energy in here is always fun. It’s always youthful. Not only that, you know they got my favorite lemon pepper wings in the world, so it’s just a natural attraction.”&nbsp;It’s clear that Ross is an ideal ambassador for the brand. The rapper’s success as a Wingstop franchisee, however, has been shadowed by one unfortunate incident: January 2018, <a href="https://wreg.com/2018/01/10/mpd-aspiring-rapper-robbed-wingstop-to-get-owner-rick-rosss-attention/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">an aspiring rapper allegedly robbed a Memphis Wingstop</a> in the hopes it would get him attention from the rapper himself. Still, the rapper’s experience with Wingstop has been positive, and Ross continues to be an important member of the brand, not least because of the visibility that he brings to the company.“He has a strong connection with our core consumer, who is young, millennial, and follows Rick Ross and artists like him,” Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison said of Ross in a <a href="https://apnews.com/1875179c2c4a4038b5daae058102be45/Wingstop-CEO-discusses-Rick-Ross,-boneless-vs.-bone-in-wings?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">March 2018 interview with the Associated Press</a>. “He’s always very engaging and very supportive of the brand. He might be at a boxing match or one of his concerts or somewhere else and he almost <a href="https://www.advantagemrktg.com/advantage/work/wingstop/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">always has a Wingstop cup in his hand</a>. It keeps us relevant.”Ross expanded his franchise portfolio in 2017 with the purchase of the Checkers location he frequented in his youth in Carol City, Florida.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rick-ross-buys-checkers-restaurant-franchise-in-carol-city-florida-news.27345.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross-2712026" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">In a 2017 video interview with Uproxx</a>, Ross explained his decision to purchase the existing location due to the impact the city in the greater Miami area had on his upbringing and future success.&nbsp;“What made me come back and buy Checkers, I had a lot of reasons,” Ross said. “Providing jobs, investing back into the community, staying in touch with where you’re from. We can come back and say that a piece of this is ours. Carol City, the city of Miami, is going to be proud.”

Famous Franchisee: The Multitalented Rick Ross

1851 Franchise

The famous rapper, born William Leonard Roberts II, brings creative energy, charisma, and a keen marketing instinct to his multi-brand portfolio that includes Wingstop and Checkers and Rally’s.

famous-franchisee-the-multitalented-rick-ross

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchise - Franchisee Spotlight - Jessica and Bobby Montoya - 1851 Franchise

Former Orangetheory Regional Manager and Licensed Counselor, Grow KidStrong Franchise, Empowering Youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico

kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya

Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

Wild Bill's Franchise - Top 10 Reasons To Invest - 1851 Franchise

The Top 10 Reasons To Invest in Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.

wild-bills-franchise-10-reasons-to-invest

KidStrong Franchising - Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career - 1851

Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

kidstrong-franchise-michael-reyes

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise - Target Market Raleigh/Durham - 1851 Franchise

Opportunity Is Served: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Seeks to Expand Into Raleigh-Durham with Local Franchise Partners

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-expansion-raleigh-durham

Mosquito Squad Plus

Buzz-Free Growth: How Mosquito Squad Helps Franchisees Scale Faster with a Royalty-Free First Year

buzz-free-growth-how-mosquito-squad-helps-franchisees-scale-faster-with-a-royalty-free-first-year

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

image of bryan horton from laynes West Texas - Abilene, Wichita Falls, Stephenville 

Former Real Estate and Beverage Entrepreneur Signs to Develop 8 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations in West Texas, Securing One of the Final Major Markets Available in the State

laynes-chicken-west-texas-expansion

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

Famous Franchisee: The Multitalented Rick Ross

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS