Aleeah Smith is not your average 27-year-old. The mother of four and self-made entrepreneur made business history after acquiring her third restaurant franchise, further cementing her status as a rising force in American franchising.
Smith last year signed on to become the first-ever franchisee of Rickette’s World Famous Chicago Style Restaurant, an offshoot of the legendary Uncle Remus brand, a cornerstone of Chicago’s Black-owned food culture for more than 60 years. Her acquisition makes her the first to bring the Rickette family’s legacy of fried chicken and barbecue into the franchise space, creating a new chapter in the iconic business’s story.
This move follows Smith’s already groundbreaking success. At just 25, she became the youngest franchise owner with The Peach Cobbler Factory, where she secured two restaurant locations and multiple regional territories. Her entry into the franchise world was a bold step as a first-generation business owner, and she has continued to expand her footprint since.
Now, two years later, her latest venture will include launching Rickette’s first-ever generation of Sports Lounges, with plans already underway to open locations in eight different states. The inaugural site will be based in Atlanta, Georgia, where Smith lives and works.
“This is about legacy and access,” Smith said in a recent statement, according to The Metro Record. “I want my children to see that anything is possible—and I want other young moms, especially Black women, to know that building generational wealth isn’t just a dream. It’s doable.”
Smith’s rise in the industry comes at a time when Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States but still face barriers in access to capital, franchising opportunities, and mentorship. By charting her own path, Smith is not only building an empire but also creating opportunities for others to follow in her footsteps.
Gus Rickette, owner of Rickette’s and son of the founders of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken, praised Smith for her vision and drive.
“Aleeah brings a fresh energy and an undeniable business instinct to this brand,” Rickette said. “She understands the cultural importance of what we’re doing, and she’s bringing that to new markets in a way we’ve never seen before.”
A Model of Modern Franchising
Franchising is often seen as a gateway to entrepreneurship, but it remains a field where women and minorities are significantly underrepresented. Smith’s success—starting with no prior generational business background—challenges that trend. She has become a role model not only for other mothers and young businesspeople but for communities looking to invest in ownership and economic mobility.
The upcoming sports lounges are expected to blend Rickette’s beloved menu with a modern, family-friendly entertainment environment, creating space for both food and community engagement.
“We’re not just opening restaurants,” Smith said. “We’re creating spaces where families can come together, where culture and cuisine meet, and where Black ownership is front and center.”
What’s Next for Smith?
With three franchises under her belt before 30 and a growing family alongside her business empire, Aleeah Smith shows no signs of slowing down.
As she continues to grow her brand presence and build partnerships, she hopes to pave the way for more Black women to enter the franchising world—on their own terms.
