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15 Athletes Who Have Opened Up Restaurants

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By @jetleli

Athletes Who Own Restaurants

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Athletes are known for making extravagant sums of money, which leaves many with a good chunk of spare cash every year. Many athletes invest in restaurants with this extra money, and these 15 current and former athletes have all followed this model.

15. Wayne Gretzky

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15. Wayne Gretzky

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The greatest player in NHL history has owned a restaurant in his namesake for over 20 years in downtown Toronto, Canada. Gretzky's is known for having its own brand of wine, and has been incredibly successful over the years.

14. Arnold Palmer

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14. Arnold Palmer

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The justly titled Arnold Palmer's Restaurant has been open in La Quinta, Calif. since 2004, and people have happily been ordering Arnold Palmer drinks from Arnold Palmer ever since.

13. John Elway

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13. John Elway

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Elway's Steakhouse has four locations spread out in Colorado, with each joint earning rave reviews for their array of steaks.

12. Chris Chelios

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12. Chris Chelios

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Cheli's Chili Bar is located in Detroit, Mich., and has continued to attract large numbers of people despite the economic downturn in the area.

11. Hank Aaron

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11. Hank Aaron

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Aaron is the owner of 755 Restaurant Corporation, which owns and operates 22 Popeye's and two Krispy Kreme Doughnut locations throughout Georgia.

10. Joe Theismann

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10. Joe Theismann

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Joe Theismann's Restaurant is located in Alexandria, Va., and after being in operation since 1975, it is safe to say this place isn't going anywhere.

9. Peyton Manning

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9. Peyton Manning

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Manning has gained headlines for owning a number of Papa John's locations throughout Colorado, but he also owns Manning's Restaurant in New Orleans, La.

8. Yao Ming

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8. Yao Ming

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Yao Restaurant is located in Houston, Texas, serving delicious and original Chinese food.

7. Steven Gerrard

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7. Steven Gerrard

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Gerrard owns Warehouse Kitchen & Bar, which is located in Merseyside, England, and has attracted such pop culture stars a Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright.

6. Gary Payton

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6. Gary Payton

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Payton owns The Kingfish Cafe, which is located in Seattle, Wash. and serves an array of Southern foods.

5. Dan Marino

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5. Dan Marino

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Marino is a part owner of the pizza chain Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, which operates along the East coast, with locations ranging from Florida to New Jersey.

4. Brett Favre

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4. Brett Favre

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Brett Favre's Steakhouse is a favorite of the locals in Green Bay, Wisc., and the great food helps keep the former quarterback hero in the good graces of Packers fans in the area.

3. Tony Hawk

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3. Tony Hawk

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Hawk owns Market Del Mar, which is located in Del Mar, Calif., and the location has become one of the hottest restaurants in the area.

2. Michael Jordan

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2. Michael Jordan

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Michael Jordan owns a steakhouse in both Chicago, Ill. and Chapel Hill, N.C., which surely keeps the best basketball player ever in the heart and minds of the two cities he made his name.

1. Bates Battaglia

Bates Battaglia restaurant
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1. Bates Battaglia

Bates Battaglia restaurant
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Battaglia spent the majority of his NHL career with the Carolina Hurricanes, and he has settled down in the Raleigh area in retirement. The 3-year-old owns and operates Lucky B's restaurant with Mike Lombardo.

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