1851

Among the top questions people Google about Real Housewives of Atlanta star <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kandi/?hl=en&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kandis-crushin-it-2717016" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kandi Burrus</a>: “Is Kandi Burruss a billionaire?”Here’s your answer: Not yet, but she’s trying pretty damn hard to get there.&nbsp;In addition to being a Bravo-lebrity, Burruss is a Grammy award-winning songwriter (“No Scrubs”); erstwhile girl group singer (Xscape); Broadway producer (“Thoughts of a Colored Man,” debuting in October); actress (“The Chi”); restaurateur (<a href="https://oldladygang.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kandis-crushin-it-2717016" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Old Lady Gang</a> and <a href="https://blazesteakandseafood.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kandis-crushin-it-2717016" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Blaze Steakhouse</a> in Atlanta); retailer (Bedroom Kandi; Raising Ace; TAGS) .... frankly, it’s tiring to list all the irons in this woman’s fire.So here’s the one thing Burruss is not: A Chuck E. Cheese franchisee. “Oh, I wanted a Chuck E. Cheese so bad,” she said. “I also wanted a Krispy Kreme because I love Krispy Kreme. Or a Waffle House.”What stopped her? “I was talking to a financial manager and saying that I really wanted to get a Chuck E. Cheese. And he was like, ‘Why would you do that? Why don't you just start your own brand?’ I was like, ‘Well, I don't know!’ At the time, it really didn't seem feasible,” she said.These days it is very feasible. Burruss and her husband/business partner <a href="https://www.instagram.com/todd167/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kandis-crushin-it-2717016" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Todd Tucker</a> are currently toying with the idea of becoming franchisors of their Old Lady Gang southern food concept.&nbsp;It’s all quite the come-up for the teenager who used to read books like “<a href="https://themillionairenextdoor.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kandis-crushin-it-2717016" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Millionaire Next Door</a>” on the Xscape tour bus. While other young and successful entertainers were dreaming of diamonds and mansions, she was learning how to live below her means and the importance of multiple income streams.&nbsp;“I didn't go to college because my career started when I was in high school,” Burruss said. “But we all know the entertainment industry is not dependable. So I had to figure out ways to make money to continue living that lifestyle that I had started building at such an early age.”Today, “multiple income streams” has become sort of a mantra for Burruss, one which she shares with the independent consultants of <a href="https://www.bedroomkandi.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kandis-crushin-it-2717016" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bedroom Kandi</a>, her direct sales business. The party based-business allows women with day jobs, particularly women of color, to create another income source for their household. “Multiple income streams is something I guess I’m passionate about,” she said.So, 1851 Franchise caught up with Burruss to get her insights on franchising Old Lady Gang, helping women achieve success and joining Rihanna on billionaire’s row.&nbsp;<h4>1851 Franchise: You won a Grammy, but do you remember a single moment that was your highlight as an entrepreneur?&nbsp;</h4>Kandi Burruss: Well, this past year is a huge highlight for me in business. After everything went haywire with COVID, a lot of businesses went through some trying times. Initially, it was affecting my businesses as well. But my company, Bedroom Kandi, has gone on to have our biggest year&nbsp;—&nbsp; the year of the pandemic. That is an extremely high moment in business for me.<h4>1851: Bedroom Kandi was being sold through home parties via consultants, so that must have been a difficult pivot.</h4>Burruss: We had to figure out ways to make it fun for people to do online parties. We had to be more creative. So early on, we started doing conference calls with our consultants and pushed the importance of using social media, the internet and thinking outside of the box. We also dropped prices of memberships to get more people who were interested in being part of our company to join. We had a record number of people who became consultants during that time. They came in with a new mentality and were using the internet and social media in different ways to promote their business.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Why do you think that was?</h4>Burruss: It was like the consultants became even more determined. We just had our second virtual convention in August. The first one was last August, and we had to do a virtual convention then, whereas we normally do this in person. We had a record turnout because people can join from their home.<h4>1851: How did you pivot your restaurants during the pandemic?</h4>Burruss: It was a very scary time at first because initially we shut down for the first two months during the pandemic. When we opened back up, we just followed all of the COVID safety rules. We took&nbsp;a lot of our tables out of the restaurant to allow people to be spaced out more.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Have you considered franchising as a growth strategy for Old Lady Gang?</h4>Burruss: It’s funny you just asked about that. My husband and I have just started really researching on how we go about doing that. We are currently shooting a television show about our restaurant so we are already doing well, but we just feel like it's&nbsp;going to be another level in 2022, and we would definitely love to see more of them in different cities.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Have you been approached about franchising in the past?</h4>Burruss: Yes, but we were new. We were still trying to establish our rules, procedures, systems and regulations of how we wanted our restaurants to work. To make sure that locations were all going to have the same experience. We just thought it would be too early when we were first approached. Now, we're just getting more excited about the idea ... possibly.<h4>1851: What are some of the challenges in broadening a personal brand to other sectors?</h4>Burruss: You have to start out knowing your audience. I have a huge female following, so I feel like what I personally can relate to is typically what my fans or people who support me do as well. When I did my research before starting my adult brand, I discovered — I don't know if I can even say this in your publication —&nbsp; a majority of women have never experienced an actual orgasm. I was like, ‘Okay, why does it always have to be so hush hush about a woman getting an adult product?’ It was my goal to normalize it. And for an African American woman, it really was unheard of, because for some reason in the African American community, it's always been like, ‘You’re not supposed to talk about sex, you’re not supposed to do this, you’re not supposed to do that.’ I suppose, though, that it was kind of shocking when I first brought out Bedroom Kandi.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Tell me about the importance of helping women create their own wealth through Bedroom Kandi.</h4>Burruss: It's super important. I'm always pushing people to be their own boss. So people who never thought they could be entrepreneurs, we helped them become what they always wanted to be.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Rihanna, another singer-turned-entrepreneur, is now a billionaire and then some. Are you looking to join her in the billion-dollar club?&nbsp;</h4>Burruss: First, what she's done with her brands is amazing. I love what she's doing. I love the creativity behind it. But yes, of course, it would be a dream come true to be able to achieve billionaire status.

Kandi’s Crushin’ It

1851 Franchise

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss discusses how her home party business flourished after COVID-19 and why she never bought that Chuck E. Cheese she always wanted.

kandis-crushin-it

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

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

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

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

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

Photo of a large group of people standing in a circle, placing hands together in center

Franchise Opportunities for Minorities: Expanding the Franchise Network

franchise-opportunities-for-minorities

Amanda Evans - Stellar Service Brands - Franchise Marketing Leaders 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Amanda Evans — Senior Vice President of Marketing, Stellar Service Brands

stellar-service-brands-marketing-leader-amanda-evans

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Kandi’s Crushin’ It

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS