The $35 Million Pivot: 7 Shocking Things Kris Humphries Is Doing Now After The NBA Spotlight

Contents
As of December 2025, former NBA power forward Kris Humphries has successfully navigated one of the most dramatic career pivots in recent sports history, trading the hardwood for the boardroom. Far removed from the intense media scrutiny of his 72-day marriage to Kim Kardashian, the retired athlete has quietly built a multi-million dollar business empire, primarily focused on the competitive world of restaurant franchising in his home state of Minnesota. The man once known for his rebounding prowess on the New Jersey Nets and his brief, high-profile stint on reality television is now a serious entrepreneur, reportedly owning an impressive portfolio of 17 restaurant franchises. His current focus is on expanding Nashville-style chicken chains and healthy fast-casual concepts, proving that his financial acumen is just as sharp as his court vision once was. This deep dive explores his complete transformation, from his NBA roots and infamous celebrity marriage to his current life as a successful, private businessman.

Kris Humphries: Complete Biographical Profile

A comprehensive look at the life and career of the retired NBA player and current entrepreneur:

  • Full Name: Kris Nathan Humphries
  • Date of Birth: February 6, 1985
  • Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • College: University of Minnesota (2003–2004)
  • NBA Draft: 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall (Selected by the Utah Jazz)
  • NBA Career Span: 2004–2017 (13 seasons)
  • Notable NBA Teams: Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns.
  • Career Highlights: NBA Rebounding Leader (2010–2011 season, per 48 minutes), Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (2004).
  • Notable Personal Life Event: Married Kim Kardashian in August 2011; filed for divorce 72 days later.
  • Post-NBA Career: Successful multi-franchise restaurant owner and real estate investor.
  • Current Residence: Minnesota.

From Court to Cuisine: Kris Humphries' Multi-Million Dollar Franchise Empire

The transition from professional athlete to entrepreneur is rarely seamless, but Kris Humphries has executed a textbook pivot, leveraging his substantial NBA earnings into a robust and diversified business portfolio. His focus has been heavily on the restaurant franchise model, particularly in the thriving fast-casual sector.

The Rise of a Franchise Mogul

Humphries didn't wait until retirement to start building his business acumen. Even during his 13-year NBA career, he was actively involved in real estate investments, laying the groundwork for his post-basketball financial success. This early exposure to business has paid off handsomely. As of late 2025, reports indicate that Humphries is a successful entrepreneur and multi-franchise restaurant owner, with his portfolio encompassing a massive 17 franchises.

His strategy has centered on bringing successful, growing chains to the Minnesota market, his home state. This geographical focus allows him to concentrate his efforts and capitalize on local knowledge, providing a strong foundation for topical authority in the regional business landscape. The key entities in his growing empire include:

  • Dave's Hot Chicken: This is arguably his most high-profile venture right now. Humphries and his family are aggressively expanding the Nashville-style chicken tender and slider chain across Minnesota. They are expected to open 18 total locations across the state, with the first openings anticipated in early 2025. This move positions him as a major player in the state's burgeoning hot chicken scene.
  • Crisp & Green: Humphries is a franchise partner with this healthy, fast-casual concept, which focuses on salads, grain bowls, and smoothies. This partnership demonstrates a strategic move to diversify beyond traditional fast food and tap into the health-conscious consumer market.
  • Five Guys: The popular burger, fries, and milkshake chain is another major component of his franchise holdings. Owning franchises of established, well-known brands like Five Guys provides stable, consistent revenue streams, balancing the risk of newer ventures.

This calculated transition to the boardroom, rather than a continued pursuit of a career in sports broadcasting or coaching, has provided Humphries with a significant second career. His reported business success, built through strategic franchising and real estate, has cemented his status as a wealthy, post-NBA athlete.

The Private Life: Finding Peace After the Kardashian Spotlight

For many, Kris Humphries' name remains inextricably linked to his brief, highly publicized marriage to reality television star Kim Kardashian in 2011. The intense media circus and subsequent divorce proceedings, which lasted longer than the marriage itself, took a significant toll on the athlete. However, in the years since his retirement from the NBA in 2017, Humphries has successfully retreated from the spotlight, prioritizing privacy and mental well-being.

Reflections on the "Brutal" Marriage Fallout

While Humphries has largely remained silent about the 72-day marriage, he has occasionally opened up about the experience, describing the backlash from fans of Keeping Up with the Kardashians as "brutal." The scrutiny and public perception that his relationship was a fraud had a profound impact on his career and personal life. He has since confirmed that the relationship was "100% real," but the media fallout was overwhelming. His decision to step away from the public eye was a conscious move to find peace and regain control of his narrative.

His current life in Minnesota is a stark contrast to the glitz and constant exposure of Hollywood. He lives a quiet, private life, often sharing glimpses of his time with his dog. This focus on a grounded, low-key existence highlights a man who has successfully healed from the intense pressures of celebrity.

New Hobbies and Sporting Endeavors

While his days of playing professional basketball are over, Humphries remains an athlete at heart. He has embraced the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, joining the ranks of celebrities and former athletes who have taken up the paddle-and-ball game. This new hobby allows him to stay competitive and active without the high-stakes pressure of the NBA. His participation in the "picklesphere" is a clear sign of his current, relaxed lifestyle.

The entities that define his current life—real estate, Dave's Hot Chicken, Crisp & Green, Five Guys, and pickleball—are all a world away from the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, and the Kardashian-Jenner universe. This deliberate pivot showcases a man who has successfully redefined himself on his own terms.

The Legacy of a Quiet Success Story

Kris Humphries' journey is a compelling case study in post-athlete reinvention. He was drafted 14th overall in the 2004 NBA draft and had a solid, if unspectacular, 13-year career, playing for a plethora of NBA teams. He was a reliable rebounder and a consistent professional.

However, his enduring legacy is no longer defined by his statistical output or his short-lived celebrity marriage. Instead, it is the quiet, methodical success of his business ventures that now defines him. By transitioning into a serious multi-franchise owner and real estate investor, he has secured his financial future and achieved a level of privacy that eluded him during his most famous years. The former power forward is now a powerful entrepreneur, proving that the biggest rebound of his life was the one he made off the court, into the world of business.

His commitment to expanding his 17-franchise portfolio, particularly with new ventures like Dave's Hot Chicken in 2025, ensures that his name will continue to be associated with business success in the Midwest for years to come. Kris Humphries has found his peace, his purpose, and a substantial fortune far away from the cameras that once documented his every move.

kris humphries now
kris humphries now

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