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It's a universal truth that where there's food, there is money to be made. People need to eat to survive, and in our fast-paced world, more and more people are eating out. Hollywood celebrities should be the savviest when it comes to different varieties of cuisines and which ones are most lucrative because let's face it...they have the funds to eat out all week if they want to. But being a food connoisseur with a passion for tasty cuisine isn't the same as trying to become the next Bobby Flay. The truth is, the life of a restauranteur just isn't cut out for everyone. But find out ten celebrities who tried their hands at the restaurant business but failed miserably.
Britney Spears
From her recent engagement to Sam Asghari to a lawsuit against her paternal father over being granted complete conservatorship over the pop icon, Britney Spears has been in the headlines quite often throughout the years for more than one controversial topic. But it may come as a surprise to some fans that she also tried her hands in a culinary venture that didn't pan out well. Earlier in her career in 2002, it's reported that Britney invested in a New York City restaurant called Nyla, which served Cajun food. However, following a breakup with pop star Justin Timberlake, she backed out of her partnership only six months after due to mismanagement of funds and a high debt accumulation. After attempting to from Cajun to Italian cuisine, Nyla eventually met an early demise.
Eva Longoria
Known for her ambition as a prolific actress and entrepreneur, it would make sense that Eva Longoria delved into an industry that is guaranteed, no matter the economic climate, to make money. So in late 2012, when the Desperate Housewives star decided to open the SHe by Morton's steakhouse in a shopping center on the Las Vegas Strip, it was supposed to have hit the jackpot. Not to mention, it's Las Vegas, where people with money come to have a good time! Eva even specifically cornered the female market, serving petite steaks for ladies at a reasonable price of $36. But less than two years later, the steakhouse was shut down after health inspectors discovered 32 health violations, mainly for storing foods at improper temperatures.
Kevin Costner
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner, who had the pleasure of starring alongside Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard, opened a gourmet restaurant at the South Coast Plaza area in Orange County, California, in 1999 named The Clubhouse. Being no stranger to the restaurant business, Costner lost his previous food venture, Twin Palms, to Cindy Silva after their divorce in 1994. This time, he opened The Clubhouse with fellow celebrity Robert Wagner and pro-golfers Jack Nicklaus and Fred Couples. They did not intend on making it into another celebrity restaurant and only allowed a members-only experience at $50,000. They later changed the membership rules and allowed the outside to dine at reasonable prices. However, in December 2009, The Clubhouse closed its doors due to failing luster and excitement.
Justin Timberlake
It appears that this legendary Backstreet Boy pop star wasn't the only one crying a river in 2013 when his part-owned Italian restaurant, Destino, was closed for the unlikeliest of reasons. Justin Timberlake opened the restaurant in 2006 at First Avenue and 50th Street in Manhatten and was a favorite among other celebrity clientele such as Bill Cosby and former baseball player Carlos Beltran. It was preferred not only for its exceptional Italian cuisine but also for its amazing ambiance. But all that changed in July 2013 when plumbing issues above the establishment caused sewage waste to begin leaking down the walls of the restaurant and onto the premises. This happened not once but twice and also led to mold infestation. Needless to say, that marked the end of the Italian job.
Jessica Biel
Total Recall actress Jessica Biel brings more to the table than meets the eye. Other than her ageless features and iconic acting skill, she is also an ambitious restauranteur with out-of-the-box ideas. In March 2016, Biel partnered with stylist Estee Stanley, Joey Gonzalez, Kimberly Muller, and Jonathan Rollo to birth Au Fudge, a Los Angeles-based restaurant catering to hard-working parents and children. According to People.com, Au Fudge included the Au Fudge Camp, which offered children's center classes in art, science, karate, ballet, and playtime for children between 6 months and ten years old, all while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a mouth-watering meal. However, in 2017, Au Fudge was accused by employees of stealing over $430,000 in tips and denying them meals and rest periods and sued their employers for $1 million. By 2018, Biel announced that the restaurant would be closing.
Ludacris
It's always a pleasure to behold rappers, or any other celebrity for that matter, expanding their interests and business acumen in areas outside of their comfort zones. Innovative Atlanta rapper, Ludacris, born Christopher Brian Bridges, displayed his expertise in the world of hip-hop and later transitioned that success into his acting career. But as every musician or actor finds success outside of their dominant field of interest, Ludacris stepped into unfamiliar territory by opening his first restaurant, Strait's, in 2008. Although the Asian-fusion spot received good reviews for its delicious entrees and dishes, it closed its doors in 2012 after four years in operation, possibly due to low-guest count and an unreasonably high-priced menu. Despite the setback, Ludacris was determined to succeed and opened his Chicken 'N' Beer restaurant, named after his 2003 album, in the same year Strait's closed and is still going strong.
Steven Spielberg
The film director, producer, and screenwriter, Steven Spielberg, who brought us outstanding movies such as Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and a slew of other amazing films, also saw the potential of the food industry and decided to capitalize on its earning potential with his Los Angeles restaurant, Dive!. Out of all the movie categories he has explored, this one would be completely out of his element. But that wouldn't deter him from establishing this gourmet submarine sandwich eatery in 1994, which spread its location to Las Vegas one year later. The idea was to give diners the illusion of being in an actual submarine, hence the name "Dive!" But by 1999, the California location closed its doors to poor sales and mixed reactions to the atmosphere. Then in the early 2000s, the Las Vegas branch finally sank. Nevertheless, Spielberg will never stop being a great film producer!
Jennifer Lopez
Although born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Jennifer Lopez is actually of Puerto Rican descent. Her silver-tongued Latin wit, beautiful features, musical talent, and down-to-earth persona landed her a place on the big screen, first as a music artist and then as one of Hollywood's most celebrated actresses. But, like most other celebrities who are passionate about leaving their mark on something other than movies and music, she opened her own restaurant. Madre's, which is Spanish for "mother," was Cuban and Puerto Rican-themed, centering its cuisine around foods she ate as a child growing up. Six years later, in 2008, and many negative food and service reviews later, J-Lo finally closed Madre's.
Sean 'Puffy' Combs
Rap label mogul, entrepreneur, and restauranteur, Sean P. Diddy Combs, is recognized as one of the most successful rappers and producers of all time. He is just behind fellow rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West as the richest rappers in the world, according to Forbes. Named after his first-born son, the Bad Boy executive founded Justin's in 1997 in New York City, offering a southern-Caribbean cuisine. By the following year, in 1998, another branch opened up in Atlanta. Both branches received massive support from other celebrities and musicians, and the New York branch even had to close in 2007 due to the need for a larger property. But the Atlanta branch put the nail in the coffin after a 2011 shooting of music executive Tony Austin in the parking lot of the eatery gave it the label of 'dangerous and hazardous conditions'.
Scott Disick
If you're a fan of the Kardashians, then you've definitely heard of Scott Disick. He rose to fame after a long run on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, where he became recognized as a legitimate reality star. But in 2012, Scott decided to showcase his entrepreneurial skills and venture into restaurant ownership by launching a Japanese-Asian fusion establishment called RYU. The launching of the restaurant was announced on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, which was a great marketing strategy and attracted several stars. However, from the ambiance to the food, to the choice of music - it all received poor reviews. Less than six months into its launching, Disick sold his shares in the business. In addition, Hurricane Sandy also caused havoc on the east coast of America, causing RYU to close its doors for good.
Sources: BET, US Magazine, Daily Mail, LA Times, Eater New York, People, The Things