Would Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes consider being a Whataburger franchise owner in KC?
Well, we know Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes can afford to do this. The question is will he?
Would Mahomes follow the lead of other current and former NFL players and become a franchise owner of a restaurant? Specifically, a Whataburger location that has been proposed in Lee’s Summit.
Mahomes hasn’t tried to hide his love for Whataburger.
“I’m very excited. It was a long time coming,” Mahomes said Tuesday on KCSP (610 AM). “I think I wanted it after my first year. And to now get it and hopefully very soon. I’m excited to be able to fly home after a game and be like 1:30 and get to go grab a double cheeseburger or something like that from Whataburger. I think it’ll be perfect.”
Other NFL stars have made the leap to business ownership.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is already a Jimmy John’s and Dunkin’ operator, according to Restaurant Business. San Francisco defensive back Richard Sherman owns two Wingstop locations in Seattle, Business Insider reported, while Patriots receiver Mohamed Sanu owns a Jamba Juice.
According to Franchise Business Review, 37% of food franchise owners earn less than $50,000 per year, and just 16 percent take home more than $200,000 per year. The average annual income reported by all food and beverage operators is $120,000 for businesses open at least two years.
Thing is, money shouldn’t be a big worry for Mahomes. He agreed this week to a 10-year contract extension that could pay him as much as $503 million. Mahomes hasn’t publicly expressed a desire to owner a restaurant, but if took over a Whataburger, he’d have an unlimited supply of his favorite ketchup.
And at least one new Whataburger location is in the works for Kansas City, so it would be near his day job.
A 3,751-square-foot freestanding Whataburger building is being proposed for Douglas Street and St. Luke’s Boulevard in Lee’s Summit.
A preliminary site plan has been drawn up, and Ryan Elam, director of development services for the City of Lee’s Summit, confirmed that Whataburger officials have met with the city to discuss the project. But no official plans have been submitted.
Whataburger has since confirmed that it will expand to the Kansas City area and Tennessee. It currently operates in 10 states — from Arizona to Florida. It plans to build 15 new restaurants this year and 25 in 2021.
In a statement, James Turcotte, senior vice president, real estate for Whataburger, said, “This will allow us to open more restaurants in more areas — more quickly and efficiently — while providing job opportunities and investing in the communities we serve.”
