News

VooDoo BBQ helping ex-NFL players transition from football to business

February 1, 2013

New-Orleans based VooDoo BBQ & Grill is hosting a live Webcast Saturday to help NFL players and retirees transition from professional football to business success.

The Webcast, "Handle Your Business," is part of the 13th Annual Player Networking Event, a conference for NFL players interested in going into business. CBS studio analyst and former NFL running back Spencer Tillman will host the Webcast from VooDoo BBQ's original location at 1501 St. Charles Ave., in New Orleans, from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., the day before Super Bowl XLVII, at www.voiceamerica.tv.

"Hosting this show is a great chance to introduce VooDoo BBQ to a new group of fans and potential franchise owners, too," said VooDoo BBQ CEO Tony Avila. "Many athletes and ex-athletes make exceptional business owners because they know the value of persistence, discipline and teamwork to achieve a common goal — all valuable traits for a VooDoo BBQ franchise owner."

Avila has participated before in business networking programs for former NFL players, including a July 2011 program at LSU — his alma mater — attended by ex-New England Patriot Troy Brown; former Atlanta Falcon Todd "T.J." Duckett; and Guy Troupe, president and CEO of Troupe 21 and Associates, the Dallas-based management firm that's organized Player Networking Events for the last 13 years.

"I've gotten to know Tony and Dino over the years," Troupe said. "I trust their product and what they're doing, and I wanted to give them exposure for their brand and franchise concept. For a former pro athlete with a strong work ethic and sufficient capital, franchising is a good option because it's turnkey. The business model is set up already, and all the business owner has to do is execute it."

VooDoo opened its first location in New Orleans in 2002, and has since expanded to 57 locations in six states.

Read more about growth and franchising.