Good Eats: Celebrities Who Own Restaurants

See what’s cooking with Jay Z, NeNe, plus more.

Jay Z - Aside from their day jobs, a number of stars own their own restaurants or are investors in popular fast food chains, some of which may even surprise you. Read on for a look at these celebrity foodies and where to find a location near you. By Britt Middleton Want to pop bottles like Hov? Best do it at the rapper-mogul’s 40/40 Club in New York City. The 12,000-square-foot space is branded as an upscale sports bar and on the menu you’ll find favorites like buffalo wings and modern updates on classics like king crab sliders. (Photos from left: REUTERS /RAY STUBBLEBINE /LANDOV, the 40/40 Club)

1 / 11

Jay Z - Aside from their day jobs, a number of stars own their own restaurants or are investors in popular fast food chains, some of which may even surprise you. Read on for a look at these celebrity foodies and where to find a location near you. By Britt Middleton Want to pop bottles like Hov? Best do it at the rapper-mogul’s 40/40 Club in New York City. The 12,000-square-foot space is branded as an upscale sports bar and on the menu you’ll find favorites like buffalo wings and modern updates on classics like king crab sliders. (Photos from left: REUTERS /RAY STUBBLEBINE /LANDOV, the 40/40 Club)

Rick Ross - Da Boss notably shouted out fast food chain Wingstop in his banger “MC Hammer.” It’s apparently no coincidence, as the rapper owns several franchises in his hometown of Miami as well as in Memphis. (Photos from Left: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET, Wing Stop)

2 / 11

Rick Ross - Da Boss notably shouted out fast food chain Wingstop in his banger “MC Hammer.” It’s apparently no coincidence, as the rapper owns several franchises in his hometown of Miami as well as in Memphis. (Photos from Left: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET, Wing Stop)

NeNe Leakes - The Real Housewives of Atlanta star is literally about making dough, opening a franchise of Famous Famiglia Pizzeria at Sacramento International Airport a few years back. (Photos from Left: La Famiglia Pizzeria, Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

3 / 11

NeNe Leakes - The Real Housewives of Atlanta star is literally about making dough, opening a franchise of Famous Famiglia Pizzeria at Sacramento International Airport a few years back. (Photos from Left: La Famiglia Pizzeria, Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Queen Latifah - With her thriving career as an actress, singer and talk show host, Queen certainly has a full plate. But on the side, she is a franchise owner of a Fatburger location in Miami. (Photos from left: Larry Busacca/Getty Images, Fatburger)

4 / 11

Queen Latifah - With her thriving career as an actress, singer and talk show host, Queen certainly has a full plate. But on the side, she is a franchise owner of a Fatburger location in Miami. (Photos from left: Larry Busacca/Getty Images, Fatburger)

Magic Johnson - Among his many business ventures, the NBA Hall of Famer owns several T.G.I Fridays locations in California and has previously invested in Starbucks.  (Photos from left: Starbucks, Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric, T.G.I. Friday's)

5 / 11

Magic Johnson - Among his many business ventures, the NBA Hall of Famer owns several T.G.I Fridays locations in California and has previously invested in Starbucks.  (Photos from left: Starbucks, Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric, T.G.I. Friday's)

ADVERTISEMENT
Gladys Knight - The legendary singer has been giving Atlanta its soul food fix since 1997. Her restaurant, Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles, is particularly famed for its signature dish, the Midnight Train, which features four crispy fried chicken wings served alongside a homemade waffle. (Photos From Left: Verve Music Group, Gladys & Ron's Chicken & Waffles)

6 / 11

Gladys Knight - The legendary singer has been giving Atlanta its soul food fix since 1997. Her restaurant, Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles, is particularly famed for its signature dish, the Midnight Train, which features four crispy fried chicken wings served alongside a homemade waffle. (Photos From Left: Verve Music Group, Gladys & Ron's Chicken & Waffles)

Shaquille O’Neal - If you’re having a snack attack, let Shaq hook you up. The NBA Hall of Famer reportedly owns 155 Five Guys burger franchises, and that’s on top of his other investments in fitness centers, nightclubs and more. (Photos from Left: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images, Essdras M Suarez/ Boston Globe Staff/Getty Images)

7 / 11

Shaquille O’Neal - If you’re having a snack attack, let Shaq hook you up. The NBA Hall of Famer reportedly owns 155 Five Guys burger franchises, and that’s on top of his other investments in fitness centers, nightclubs and more. (Photos from Left: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images, Essdras M Suarez/ Boston Globe Staff/Getty Images)

Vince Young - When it comes to quality steak, the NFL free agent prides his as a cut above the rest, opening his eponymous steakhouse in Austin in 2010 to prove it. (Photos from Left: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for ESPY, Vince Young Steakhouse)

8 / 11

Vince Young - When it comes to quality steak, the NFL free agent prides his as a cut above the rest, opening his eponymous steakhouse in Austin in 2010 to prove it. (Photos from Left: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for ESPY, Vince Young Steakhouse)

B.B. King - Nobody plays the blues like B.B. King, which is why we trust that his B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York City hits all the right notes when it comes to authenticity. Guests come for the live music but stay for the Americana fare that includes BBQ pork sliders and grilled hanger steak. (Photos from Left: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images, BB Kings)

9 / 11

B.B. King - Nobody plays the blues like B.B. King, which is why we trust that his B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York City hits all the right notes when it comes to authenticity. Guests come for the live music but stay for the Americana fare that includes BBQ pork sliders and grilled hanger steak. (Photos from Left: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images, BB Kings)

Eva Longoria - The actress partnered with celebrity chef Todd English for this popular Hollywood eatery, Beso, which fuses classic steakhouse and Latin American cuisine. (Photos from Left: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Conde Nast Traveler, Beso Hollywood)

10 / 11

Eva Longoria - The actress partnered with celebrity chef Todd English for this popular Hollywood eatery, Beso, which fuses classic steakhouse and Latin American cuisine. (Photos from Left: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Conde Nast Traveler, Beso Hollywood)

Michael Jordan - Over the years, the hoops legend has made several forays into the restaurant world, but it’s his eponymous steakhouse that continues to score points with his fans. With locations in Chicago, New York and Connecticut, the eatery prides itself on its dry-aged, hand-cut beef and modern twists on classic favorites. (Photos from Left: Jamie Squire/Getty Images, Michael Jordan Steakhouse)

11 / 11

Michael Jordan - Over the years, the hoops legend has made several forays into the restaurant world, but it’s his eponymous steakhouse that continues to score points with his fans. With locations in Chicago, New York and Connecticut, the eatery prides itself on its dry-aged, hand-cut beef and modern twists on classic favorites. (Photos from Left: Jamie Squire/Getty Images, Michael Jordan Steakhouse)