Former Orlando NBA forward Drew Gooden is using his summer break not only to work on shooting and passing drills, but to also show off his saucing and tossing skills.
Gooden, now with the Milwaukee Bucks, today opened his first Wingstop restaurant, located at 229 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
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 says. “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.”
With a sole focus on cooked-to-order chicken, the Wingstop menu features traditional and boneless wings, strips and the chain’s newest offering, Glider sandwiches, all sauced and tossed in 10 original flavors and side dishes like fresh-cut, seasoned fries.
During his off-season, Gooden, whose favorite Wingstop flavor is Louisiana Rub, says he plans to be in the restaurant as much as possible, and is looking forward to upcoming community events in the area.
“The Red, Hot, and Boom celebration is coming up, and our location is right in the middle of the event,” he says. “It’s a great way to introduce the 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 Milwaukee Bucks in 2010.
