Rick Ross

Rap tycoon and restauranteur Rick Ross is expanding his restaurant portfolio with a Checkers franchise. Ross purchased a Checkers Restaurant in Carol City, the tough neighborhood where Ross grew up in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The 40-year-old “Hustlin” hitmaker has come a long way since his days as a correction’s officer working in a county lockup in Florida. Ross also owns several Wingstop fried chicken franchises.

In a short documentary for his “Buy Back the Block” single, the rapper explains he ate lunch at Checkers daily because it was cheaper than the other fast food locations.

“For me being a youngster, and I believe I speak for my entire community, we all knew Checkers was more affordable,” he says. “It’s the number one hamburger in the game. The boss said it. The number one French fries in the game.”

Ross said he also wanted to give back to his community and invest where he’s from. “Carol City, the city of Miami, is going to be proud and that’s what means most to me.”