1851

Tyoka Jackson utilized his work ethic and drive on the field when he went undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft. After signing with the Atlanta Falcons, he spent most of his season playing on the practice squad. Then, Jackson pushed on the accelerator and found himself on the field in a Miami Dolphins uniform during the 1994-1995 NFL playoffs. That was the start of his career. Over the course of his next 12 years in the NFL, the defensive lineman played in a Super Bowl, served as a defensive team captain, and always won his way with the media.

While he was working his way through the NFL ranks, he decided to play into his entrepreneurial spirit and founded The Jackson Investment Company, LLC in 1995. His company focuses on developing urban real estate for renewal projects, which is what brought him to <a href="https://www.ihop.com/en/about-ihop/franchise-opportunities?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=national-franchising-league-spotlight-tyoka-jackson-2705563" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">franchise Washington D.C.&rsquo;s first IHOP</a>.

In an interview with 1851, Jackson weighed in on his life in the NFL, what hard work can do&mdash;both on and off the field&mdash;and his attraction to the International House of Pancakes.

1851: When in your NFL career did you realize that franchising and business would be a second career?

Jackson: I became a real estate investor after my rookie year in the league. As an undrafted free-agent, I quickly realized I needed to begin to plan for life after football immediately.&nbsp;It wasn&rsquo;t until the off-season of what would be my 12th and final season that I literally drove pass a restaurant opportunity that made me pull over. Not having an industry background made franchising the natural choice. That was the beginning.&nbsp;

1851: Why did you choose to invest in IHOP?

Jackson: My brother and I discussed what we wanted in a restaurant and settled on IHOP right there on the side of the road that first day. We wanted to be able to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. There had never been an IHOP in Washington, DC and we love IHOP food.&nbsp;Later finding out IHOP was (and still is) number one in the family dining space made it an easy decision. &nbsp;

1851: What did the NFL teach you in terms of business leadership? Does leadership on the field translate to leadership in the business and franchising worlds?

Jackson: It does and here&rsquo;s why: former St. Louis Rams Coach Mike Martz once told me; &ldquo;Football is a people business.&rdquo; &nbsp;Inspiring people to accomplish what&rsquo;s required in stressful situations with great enthusiasm is the hallmark of great leadership in football, the restaurant industry and any business where people are the most important asset.&nbsp;

1851: What advice do you give to college athletes who don&#39;t see pro sports in their future?&nbsp;

Jackson: Head coaches on the college and pro level are CEOs. Players spend three to four years in close proximity to these CEOs, so they should identify and soak up the traits that make them successful paying close attention to:&nbsp;

1. Communication style

2. Time management&nbsp;

3. Attention to detail

4. How they attack problems

5. How they dole out criticism and praise

1851: What is the value of &quot;grit&quot; in business?&nbsp;

Jackson: It&rsquo;s very important. There have been problems and setbacks in business that have made me seriously consider throwing in the towel. Thinking back to when the alarm would go off at&nbsp;6 a.m.&nbsp;for the first of two practices, and you are quickly trying to figure out how you are going to walk to the bathroom to brush your teeth when your legs are so sore and tired from yesterday&rsquo;s two practices, reminded me that I&rsquo;m built for this. All successful football players have grit because it exposes you early on when you don&rsquo;t.&nbsp;

National Franchising League Spotlight: Tyoka Jackson

1851 Franchise

Former defensive lineman draft’s IHOP in nation’s capital


national-franchising-league-spotlight-tyoka-jackson

Strategic Franchising

How To Build a Strong Franchise Brand Presence in Your Local Community

how-to-build-a-strong-franchise-brand-presence-in-your-local-community

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo with Layne's Chicken Fingers logo, Eric Reed, Kordell Snyder, and Justin Olivieri

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Supports Franchisees With Top-Notch Development Team

laynes-franchise-development-support

Children's Lighthouse

image of latisha king from children's lighthouse Franchise coaching initiative podcast image

Children’s Lighthouse Operations Support Leader Latisha King To Share How the Brand Supports Franchisees With Dedicated Business Coaches

childrens-lighthouse-franchisee-support-business-coach-program

Sola Salons

image of sola salons franchise interior spa services denton texas location

Sola Salons Announces New Franchise Agreement in Denton, Texas: Husband and Wife Team to Bring Revolutionary Salon Concept to Greater Dallas-Fort Worth

sola-salons-denton-texas-franchise-agreement

Fresh Coat

image of 1851 article for fresh coat franchise business leadership group

Meet the Fresh Coat Leadership Team: The Pros Behind the Painting Franchise

fresh-coat-painters-leadership-team

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

Extraordinary Brands Acquires CycleBar and Rumble, Shaking Up Boutique Fitness Franchising

extraordinary-brands-cyclebar-rumble-boxing-acquisition

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

McDonald’s Is the Latest Franchise To Bet Big on Beverages with 500-Store Premium Drink Test

mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Jack Mashini — Co-Founder, Wing Snob

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-jack-mashini-co-founder-wing-snob

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

National Franchising League Spotlight: Tyoka Jackson

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS