Queen Latifah Opening Fatburger Franchise in Miami, Honored in New Jersey

After conqeuring the music and movie industries, Queen Latifah is now throwing her hat into the food service ring. According to Miami’s Local 10, the New Jersey born rapper and actress plans to invest in a FatBurger fast food restaurant that will open in the city later this year. The first FatBurger opened in 1952 in Los Angeles and today the chain boasts some 85 locations across 15 states. "That was part of my LA education,” Latifah said. “On Sundays in California everybody would come out in all these low-riders. FatBurger was, like, the centerpiece for it all."

In related news, the Cultural Legacy Committee of the Women's Association of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center will honor Queen Latifah on Tuesday (July 17) in conjunction with the premier of her new movie Hairspray. Latifah will receive a replica of her plaque on the New Jersey Walk of Fame, and will join the members of Jubilation—a gospel choir featuring her mother—Rita Owens, for a performance. Hairspray, which also features John Travolta and Christopher Walken, opens nationwide on July 20.