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

BooXkeeping

BooXkeeping Closes Out a Breakout 2025 With Major Wins and Momentum for 2026

booxkeeping-2025-growth-franchise-expansion-2026-momentum

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise - Eli and Abby Power - 1851 Franchise

Eli and Abby Power Turned a Rural Plumbing Shop Into a Multi-Generational Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchise

benjamin-frankling-plumbing-franchise-eli-abby-power-western-colorado

Image Studios

IMAGE Studios Celebrates Record Growth in 2025 With 35 Openings and 50 Units Awarded

image-studios-franchise-growth-2025

Dillas Quesadillas

Design with photo of Michael Mabry and Dillas Primo Quesadillas logo

Franchise Times: New Franchise Exec Says Dillas Is Bringing ‘Excitement’ Back to QSR Category

michael-mabry-franchise-growth

Lawn Squad

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad 

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad as a Treatment-Only Lawn Care Franchise

lawn-squad-franchise-opportunity

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

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

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

Famous Franchisee: The Multitalented Rick Ross

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS