Kris Humphries Expands Minnesota Restaurant Business After NBA

Former NBA player Kris Humphries has built a growing restaurant business in Minnesota more than a decade after his 2011 marriage to Kim Kardashian and years after leaving professional basketball. He now operates multiple Dave's Hot Chicken franchises with his family, while published expansion figures range from 18 planned restaurants statewide to as many as 30 locations across the Twin Cities.

The Full Story

Humphries stepped away from the celebrity spotlight after his NBA career ended and returned his focus to Minnesota. In 2022, he and his family became franchise partners with Dave's Hot Chicken, a fast-food chain centered on Nashville-style hot chicken. He opened his first Minnesota location in 2023 near an area he knew from attending Hopkins High School, telling Fox 9 that he wanted the first restaurant close to places he visited as a student.

The first store became part of a broader franchise strategy. Page Six reported that Humphries initially signed to open 10 stores across Minnesota and later agreed to pursue 30 locations across the Twin Cities. Other accounts, including Yahoo News Canada's report, describe an 18-restaurant development plan. The varying figures point to one consistent fact: the family intends to keep expanding beyond the locations already operating.

His social media presence has changed with the career shift. Instead of focusing on workouts or celebrity appearances, Humphries now posts restaurant visits, food creators, menu items and hot chicken challenges. He has also appeared inside stores and promoted the business directly, giving the venture a public face without returning to the reality-TV lifestyle that once surrounded him.

The business move follows a 13-season NBA career that began with the Utah Jazz in 2004 and ended with his final game for the Atlanta Hawks in 2017. One account says he formally announced retirement in March 2019 after two seasons away from the league. That distinction helps explain why some reports describe 2017 as his retirement year while others use 2019.

Who's Involved

Humphries, now 41 in the supplied reports, is the former NBA forward at the center of the expansion. His family is involved in the franchise operation, and his cousin Alex Humphries has spoken about site selection in Minneapolis' North Loop. Alex said the neighborhood's combination of historic buildings, modern development, diverse demographics and proximity to downtown made it a strong fit for the brand.

The mix of historic preservation and modern innovation in the North Loop creates a unique atmosphere that we believe is ideal for Dave's Hot Chicken.

Kim Kardashian remains part of the public interest because she and Humphries married in August 2011 and separated after 72 days. Their divorce was finalized in 2013 after a longer legal process. The marriage explains why a Minnesota restaurant expansion has attracted national celebrity coverage, but the current story is centered on Humphries' business career.

By the Numbers

• 13 seasons: Humphries' reported NBA career length.
• 72 days: The length of his 2011 marriage to Kardashian.
• 10 locations: The initial Minnesota franchise commitment described by several reports.
• 18 to 30 locations: The expansion range reported by different outlets for Minnesota and the Twin Cities.
• 2023: The year he opened his first Dave's Hot Chicken franchise in his home state.

What This Means

For Humphries, restaurant ownership offers a second career built around local operations rather than professional sports or reality television. The shift also shows how retired athletes can use name recognition, local ties and family partnerships to enter franchising, where success depends on opening stores, choosing viable locations and maintaining daily operations.

For Minnesota customers, the practical impact is a larger Dave's Hot Chicken footprint across the state and Twin Cities. The family has also been linked in the supplied coverage to other restaurant investments, including Five Guys and Crisp & Green, suggesting the hot chicken expansion is part of a broader food-business strategy rather than a one-off celebrity project.

What to Expect

The next confirmed step is continued expansion in Minnesota under the franchise plans described by the supplied reports, though the exact final store count differs across outlets. No timetable for completing all proposed stores appears in the supplied material.

People Also Ask

What does Kris Humphries do now?

Kris Humphries now works in restaurant franchising in Minnesota. He and his family operate multiple Dave's Hot Chicken locations and have plans for additional stores.

How many Dave's Hot Chicken restaurants does Kris Humphries plan to open?

The supplied reports give different totals. Some describe plans for 18 restaurants across Minnesota, while others say the target has expanded to as many as 30 locations across the Twin Cities.

When did Kris Humphries leave the NBA?

His final NBA game came in 2017 with the Atlanta Hawks. One supplied report says he formally announced his retirement in March 2019 after two seasons away from the league.

How long were Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries married?

They were married for 72 days in 2011 before Kardashian filed for divorce. Their divorce was finalized in 2013.

Where did Kris Humphries open his first restaurant?

He opened his first Minnesota Dave's Hot Chicken franchise in 2023 near the area where he attended Hopkins High School. He said he knew the area well and believed it needed a hot chicken restaurant.