Richard Coffey (B.S. ’96) is not afraid to make big leaps. From U.S. Army paratrooper to beloved Gopher basketball star to Minnesota Timberwolves player, he’s built a life on bold moves. His latest jump is a family effort.

Coffey, his ex-wife, Sheba (B.A. ’90), and their children, Sydney, Nia and former Gopher basketball star Amir, are helping bring a new fast-casual restaurant franchise to Minnesota. The family, whose LLC is Starting Five, signed a 10-unit development agreement with national restaurant chain Chicken Salad Chick. Their goal is to open their first location this year, with nine additional spots planned over the following five years.

“One of our backgrounds has been basketball, but that’s just part of our journey,” Richard says. “When we were looking at venturing outside of the sport and tapping into our other skill sets, we felt like owning a franchise would allow us to do that.”

A family huddle

The idea came together during one of the Coffey family’s weekly Friday FaceTime meetings. Other options—such as car washes and laundromats—were ruled out. With Richard and Sheba providing support and Amir, a seven-year NBA veteran and Phoenix Suns player, as a silent partner, Sydney and Nia are leading the charge as co-CEOs.

Sydney is a former professional basketball player who currently works in pharmaceutical sales and owns a clothing line for tall women. Nia is a nine-year WNBA veteran currently with the Atlanta Dream.

“We’re looking forward to watching them grow the restaurants here and lead with all the knowledge they’ve gained over the years,” says Richard, a motivational speaker and CEO of Ujamaa Place, a St. Paul nonprofit supporting African American men. “I’ll be in the background as a mentor helping them when they need it.”

Sheba, a realtor and success coach, is leveraging her sales and marketing background to support her daughters. “We are excited for this opportunity and know Sydney and Nia are the right people to lead this charge,” she says.

Spreading joy, serving others

Atlanta-based Chicken Salad Chick offers a variety of Southern-inspired salads—both sweet and savory—in more than 300 locations across 22 states. With the majority of its restaurants in the southeastern part of the U.S., the Coffeys are eager to expand Chicken Salad Chick’s reach in the Upper Midwest while adding to Minnesotans’ dining options.

The family identifies with Chicken Salad Chick’s mission statement to “spread joy, enrich lives, and serve others,” Nia says. “That’s in alignment with what we’re going to bring to our community in Minnesota,” she says.

The family is still hunting for its first location, but has identified several suburbs as potential starting points, including Maple Grove and Edina. The Coffey family plans to put its own stamp on each location by donating a percentage of profits to charity.

“At the end of the day, our family has a big heart for people,” Sydney says. “That’s super important to us.”

Adds Richard: “It’s always great to do a family venture with the people you love. It’s rewarding for Sheba and me, as parents, to see our kids grow into mature, successful adults.”

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