According to Tennessean.com, Phil Mickelson has chosen to bid on a Nashville Waffle House franchise.

Well, to be fair, Mickelson's investment group GS Acquisitions LLC has actually made the bid of roughly $20 million to the well-known truck stop restaurant chain. This bid will include over 100 individual Waffle House locations across the state and is in response to the franchise's recent filing for bankruptcy. According to sources, Mickelson and two business partners are choosing to bid on the franchise because "ll three men enjoy eating at Waffle House, though none of them has any restaurant experience" (GOLF.com, 2009).

I see this as being the beginning of an interesting trend in the economy: professional athletes purchasing major industry chains as a means to help save many businesses based on stuff they enjoy.

Next on the potential list of investors? How about Ian Poulter purchasing the rights to Old Navy because of his love for plaid? Or perhaps Tiger Woods purchasing the LIDS franchise since he goes everywhere with a cap? Oooh, or how about David Duval buying out Sunglass Hut?