NBA all-star Darius Garland invests in Ohio based hot chicken restaurant concept
Summary
Darius Garland, the all-star point guard for the NBAs Cleveland Cavaliers, has invested in the emerging fast casual Hot Chicken Takeover, the company announced Tuesday. It just felt like such a natural connection out of the gate, one that could benefit Darius substantially, too, as he builds a career thats off the court.Garland played at Vanderbilt University in Nashville before he was the fifth overall pick by the Cavaliers in the 2019 NBA Draft. In 2021, the fast casual was acquired by Untamed Brands, which Petrilli a former Chipotle executive had founded that same year as a restaurant group investing in emerging concepts. Most recently, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille ONeal has made waves with his Big Chicken concept, while former NFL quarterback Drew Brees is a partner in Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux. Countless others have become restaurant franchisees.The point guard noted that his competitiveness in basketball is one of the prime traits he hopes will translate to the business world.Im always trying to be the best on the court, so Im trying to bring my completive spirit into this, Garland said.