Rapper Rick Ross Joins List Of Celebrity Franchise Owners

"She's thinking Phillipe's, I'm thinking Wingstop," says rapper Rick Ross in his hit "MC Hammer". Looks like he's not planning to get Wingstop off his mind anytime soon. Ross has just announced that he will be expanding his growing empire with a soon-to-be opened Wingstop franchise in Memphis.

Rapper Rick Ross joins a growing list of celebrities who have taken the same plunge as many Americans and invested in franchises. Whether they've made their money on the field, on stage or behind the scenes, celebrity franchise investment is a testament to the reach and impact of the franchise industry. These celebrities have enjoyed a brand so much that they've decided to open their own.

Celebrity Franchise Owners Queen Latifah and Kanye West have tried their hand at Fatburger restaurants, Venus Williams has a plan to open five Jamba Juice locations, Jimmy Buffet has the rights to a Krispy Kreme, Magic Johnson owns 30 Burger Kings, and Larry King opened a Brooklyn Water Bagel shop earlier this year.

Now, Maybach Music Group CEO and Platinum Selling Recording Artist Rick Ross is adding to that list in hopes of creating other die-hard Wingstop fans in the Memphis area.

Ross told AllHipHop.com, "After tasting Wingstop's signature lemon-pepper flavored wings in Miami, I knew this was a franchise I wanted to add to my investments." Wingstop is a BBQ wings chain based in Richardson, Texas with 480 locations across the U.S. and Mexico. Their specialty of made-to-order chicken comes in nine original flavors including one of Ross's favorites � Lemon Pepper. The company also enjoys the celebrity endorsement from NFL superstar Troy Aikman who has invested in the chain as well as served as the spokesperson for the past several years.

Are Celebrity Owners a Boost or a Bane to Franchises? Celebrity endorsements can be a huge boost for a brand, but having a celebrity enjoy your brand so much that they want to open one of their own is a true testament to your product. But with all the attention that has been surrounding celebrity franchise involvement, could there also be a negative side? Does Venus Williams' large stake in Jamba Juice as franchisee owner and spokesperson give the brand more of a sports drink-like image? Will Ross's involvement in Wingstop discourage patronage from hip-hop haters? Will other franchisees worry about celebrity owners being treated differently? Probably not. Many celebrities don't have any prior business experience or knowledge, will that hinder the success of their franchise or will they hire managers with the proper background to run it in their absence? There can be a possible downside when throwing such a big name into the mix, but for now it doesn't look like it's keeping many franchisors from welcoming celebrities into the business.

In fact, Wingstop couldn't be happier about the newest celebrity involvement. "Rick Ross will be a great addition to the Wingstop family," said Jim Flynn, Wingstop CEO. "He's a talented artist and brings a huge fan base to the concept. We look forward to growing the brand with him in Memphis."

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