This NFL Star Spent Two Weeks in the Offseason Working at Smoothie King. Here’s Why

Xavier Woods, an NFL safety and Smoothie King franchise owner, is building a second career rooted in ownership. As a professional athlete turned entrepreneur, he’s investing in systems designed for durability beyond football.

Watch now to learn how an NFL veteran is applying discipline from the field to franchise ownership, long-term investing, and building businesses beyond football.

(This episode was recorded on October 17th 2025)

Sponsored by:

• TOAST AllIn1 Restaurant POS

Chapters:

[02:32] - Entrepreneurship vs Life in the NFL

[06:10] - Why He Chose Smoothie King

[11:10] - Training as a Smoothie King Team Member

[15:10] - Financial Advice for NFL Rookies

[35:10] - “Be Humble” as a Life Mantra

SPONSORS:

RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

• Toast AllIn1 Restaurant POS

Episode Links:

Smoothe King

Xavier Woods Instagram

Xavier Woods Twitter/X

Tennessee Titans

Key Takeaways:

Ownership Starts with Learning the Work: Xavier Woods believes effective ownership begins with understanding the day-to-day. Completing required franchise training at Smoothie King gave him firsthand insight into operations and the realities his team faces each shift.

Slow Capital Beats Fast Money: Woods emphasizes patience with money, especially early in a career. By saving first and investing deliberately, he built a stable foundation across real estate, trucking, and franchising.

Systems Enable Sustainable Growth: From trucking to Smoothie King, Woods focuses on putting the right people and processes in place early. With systems established, growth becomes a choice rather than a burden.

***

ABOUT XAVIER WOODS —

Xavier Woods is an NFL safety currently with the Tennessee Titans and a growing multi-business owner. Since entering the league in 2017, Woods is one of just eight players to record at least 600 tackles, 10 interceptions, and five forced fumbles. Beyond football, he invests in real estate, trucking, and franchising, including ownership of Smoothie King locations in Georgia, with a focus on long-term, disciplined growth.

ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —

Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.

Published by Entrepreneur Media

Produced by Cali BBQ Media