LeBron James’ restaurant, Buckets, had its grand opening.
LeBron James has always been known for giving back to his hometown of Akron, OH. However, the billionaire athlete’s latest business venture is fostering an even stronger sense of family and community in the Ohio city. On April 1, the LeBron James Family Foundation officially opened Buckets, a comfort food restaurant featuring large buckets of fried chicken, according to a press release shared with AFROTECH™. The restaurant staff is hired from participants in the nonprofit’s I PROMISE Program, an initiative that supports at-risk students in the Akron public school system.
Buckets invited influencers to try the menu a week before its grand opening, garnering positive feedback. Videos on social media gave a sneak peek of unique dishes, including macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and wings with ten different sauce options, notes the press release.
The 23-year NBA veteran expressed his excitement in Wednesday’s press release.
“I’ve been to restaurants in cities all over the world. This one is different. When I learned what Buckets was about and all the details that go into the experience, I couldn’t wait to share it. To be able to create jobs and change families’ lives in this new way, not to mention the unbelievable menu and experience you have to see to appreciate, is something I’m really excited about.”
LeBron James Expands His Entrepreneurial Portfolio
In January 2026, AFROTECH™ previously shared that LeBron James has invested in multiple professional sports leagues throughout his career. This includes a 1% stake in Fenway Sports Group and a previous 2% stake in the English Premier League’s Liverpool Football Club. James also has his own media production company, SpringHill Co., in partnership with his longtime business partner, Maverick Carter.
Now, with the opening of Buckets, James joins a collection of other NBA icons who have also ventured into the hospitality space. As AFROTECH™ previously reported in October 2025, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry opened a bourbon bar in San Francisco called The Eight Rule. In January, AFROTECH™ also reported that Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant is expected to open The Austin Sports Club in downtown Austin, Texas, later this spring.
