Former Orlando forward Drew Gooden, who is now with the Milwaukee Bucks, has opened his first Wingstop restaurant in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
He and his operating partner, George Taylor III, recently formed Zerocon Food Systems LLC and plan to open three additional Orlando-area locations.
“Last year’s lockout got me thinking about my future, and what I wanted to do after basketball,” Gooden said. “I love Wingstop’s wings and Orlando is home for me. So this was the best of both worlds – the perfect way to invest in a new opportunity and bring fans in Orlando a product I believe in.”
During the off-season, Gooden said he plans to be in the restaurant as much as possible.
“The Red, Hot and Boom celebration is coming up, and our location is right in the middle of the event,” he said. “It’s a great way to introduce our wings. There’s also a great jazz concert series near the restaurant and we’re already working with neighboring businesses like World of Beer to spread the word about Wingstop.”
Before joining the NBA almost 10 years ago, Gooden attended the University of Kansas, where the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) named him Player of the Year in 2002. He has played for the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers. He joined the Bucks in 2010.
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