Doing it for the love of the game
People who own and operate restaurants aren’t doing it for the money.
The work is hard, the hours are long and the compensation is modest at best – assuming the business survives. And then, of course, there are the health inspectors, the slacker employees, the broken equipment and the ever-rising cost of food – all issues with which the restaurateur must grapple. Those who enter this game do it because they love feeding people and making them happy. It’s as simple as that.
Among them are celebrities, who start or put their names on individual eateries, franchises and chains in the hopes of parlaying it into a successful business, while providing employment and putting smiles on faces along the way. Some are more involved with their concerns than others. A few you might even find on site.
Gordon Ramsay: The prolific Michelin-starred chef and host of Fox’s “The F Word” has restaurants around the world in locations such as Las Vegas, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, France and Qatar. His Restaurant Gordon Ramsay chain has 14 eateries in London alone.
The Wahlberg brothers: Backed by his more famous brothers Mark and Donnie, chef Paul Wahlberg is the creative force behind Wahlburgers, a hamburger chain with locations in nine states (including their native Boston) and inspiration for the A&E Network reality series of the same name. Its motto, “making you happy makes us happy,” says it all.
Robert De Niro: The Oscar-winning actor’s Nobu, a chain of Japanese restaurants, has 37 locations on four continents. He’s also partners with Ridley Scott and Harvey Weinstein in the West Hollywood eatery Ago.
Justin Timberlake: Ribs and fried chicken are what’s on the menu at the “Rock Your Body” singer’s Southern Hospitality, which has two restaurants in Colorado and one in New York City.
Michael Jordan: His Air-ness has a mini-chain of three restaurants, all named Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, with locations in New York, Chicago and Uncasville, Conn.
Toby Keith: In 2005, the country music star opened his I Love This Bar & Grill in Oklahoma City, and since then franchises have opened and closed, with three remaining in Oklahoma. Steaks, ribs and chops are the bread and butter of this concern, along with daily beer and drink specials.
Jon Bon Jovi: The rocker’s JBJ Soul Kitchen takes an unconventional approach to feeding hungry patrons at its two New Jersey locations. You could be sitting with a stranger, the menu doesn’t have prices and all items are “pay what you like,” though a minimum $10 donation is suggested. If you can’t pay that, you can exchange an hour of volunteer time for a healthful, organic meal. And guest chefs such as Mario Batali or Tom Colicchio could be preparing your meal, so maybe you’d want to pony up.
Jay-Z: The rap mogul’s high-end New York sports bar 40/40 Club boasts a catwalk, a champagne tower and a reputation for state-of-the-art chicken wings.