We’ve all heard about star athletes who make big money and then blow it. But how often do we hear about stars who do sensible things with their money?
Well, some of them are putting their cash into restaurants and doing right well. So well, in fact, that it can protect their finances and retirement well past their glory years. It’s not just the mega-stars. Sometimes it’s the journeymen who take what they make and buy a few franchises.
Here are a few who’ve done it right:
- Junior Bridgeman, former NBA player: After 12 years in pro hoops, Bridgeman went into the restaurant business and now owns nearly 300 franchises, including Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN), Chili’s (NYSE:EAT) and Fazoli’s, with more than 11,000 employees.
- Peyton Manning, current NFL player: After filming a Papa John’s (NASDAQ:PZZA) commercial last year for the Super Bowl Manning decided to commit to the company and bought 21 franchises in his new playing home of Denver.
- Magic Johnson, former NBA player: The three-time MVP once owned 100 Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) stores and now has interests in TGI Fridays, Fatburger and Burger King (NYSE:BKW).
- Troy Aikman, former NFL player: Like Manning, Aikman got his start as a spokesman for a chain. Now he’s a partner in an upcoming 50-store chain of Dunkin Donuts (NASDAQ:DNKN).
- Drew Brees, current NFL player: The quarterback and Super Bowl winner is in the process of opening up a series of Jimmy John’s franchises in the New Orleans area.
