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Football season is here: 15 current and former NFL players in the restaurant industryFootball season is here: 15 current and former NFL players in the restaurant industry

From Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes opening a steakhouse, to Tim Tebow serving as the national ambassador for Clean Juice

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

September 5, 2024

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With the 2024 NFL season underway, it’s a good reminder that the athlete to restaurant franchising pipeline remains strong, particularly for former football players looking for their second career. 

Former quarterbacks, running backs and more have turned their attention from the gridiron to the griddle after their days of tackling are over (though some athletes have gotten into the restaurant industry during their football careers), including former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, and former defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts, Donnell Thompson. 

Some former players have even gotten into the ownership side of things like former Denver Broncos quarterback, John Elway (who owns a small group of steakhouses) and recent Super Bowl Champions, Travis Kelce, and Jason Mahomes (who are opening a steakhouse in 2025). One former football player even became a chef who competed on “Chopped.”

Keep reading to learn more about NFL players who became restaurant operators, franchisees, chefs, and investors.

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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