Kelli Ferrell is an American chef, restaurateur, and reality television personality who has steadily built her reputation in both the culinary and entertainment worlds.
Best known as the owner of the popular Southern comfort food restaurant Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles and a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kelli Ferrell has turned her passion for cooking into a recognizable personal brand.
As her public profile continues to grow, many fans and readers are curious about Kelli Ferrell’s net worth and how she generates her income.
Over the years, Ferrell has diversified her earnings through restaurant ownership, cookbook sales, media appearances, and brand collaborations.
Her journey has not been without challenges, including highly publicized personal and financial struggles, which make her success story even more compelling. In this article, we take an in-depth look at Kelli Ferrell’s net worth in 2026, exploring her income sources, business ventures, career milestones, and future earning potential.
Kelli Ferrell Net Worth Overview
As of 2026, Kelli Ferrell’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, though exact figures vary depending on sources and business performance. Her wealth has been built primarily through entrepreneurship rather than traditional celebrity income, setting her apart from many reality television personalities. Unlike stars who rely heavily on appearance fees, Ferrell’s financial foundation is rooted in restaurant ownership, brand development, and long-term business growth.
The largest contributor to her net worth is Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, a Southern-inspired restaurant that has gained strong recognition in the Atlanta food scene. Consistent customer demand, brand loyalty, and local visibility have helped the restaurant generate steady revenue over the years. In addition to food service income, Ferrell benefits from cookbook sales, which add both direct revenue and brand credibility to her business portfolio.
Her role on The Real Housewives of Atlanta has also played an important role in increasing her net worth. While reality TV salaries are not publicly disclosed, appearing on a major Bravo franchise typically leads to additional income opportunities such as paid appearances, sponsorships, and social media partnerships. Increased exposure has further elevated her restaurant brand and personal visibility.
It is important to note that Kelli Ferrell’s net worth has been influenced by personal and legal challenges, including a public divorce that reportedly impacted her finances. Despite these setbacks, she has continued rebuilding and expanding her brand. Overall, her current net worth reflects resilience, entrepreneurship, and steady financial recovery rather than overnight celebrity wealth.
Early Life and Background
Kelli Ferrell’s journey to becoming a successful restaurateur and television personality began long before her rise to public attention. Born and raised in the United States, Kelli grew up in a family environment where home-cooked meals, tradition, and hospitality played a central role. Her early exposure to Southern-style cooking would later become the foundation of her culinary identity and business success.
From a young age, Ferrell showed a natural interest in food and entrepreneurship. Cooking was more than a hobby—it was a way for her to connect with family, preserve cultural traditions, and express creativity. Many of the recipes that would eventually inspire her restaurant menu were influenced by generational family dishes, particularly those passed down from her grandmother, affectionately known as “Nana.”
Although Kelli Ferrell did not initially enter the public eye as a classically trained chef, she developed her skills through hands-on experience, self-education, and real-world kitchen work. Her path reflects that of many successful entrepreneurs who learn through persistence rather than formal culinary schooling. This practical approach helped her understand not only food preparation but also customer service, operations, and brand building.
Her early life also shaped her strong work ethic and determination. Balancing personal responsibilities with career ambitions was a recurring theme long before fame arrived. These formative years played a crucial role in shaping Ferrell’s resilience, a quality that would later help her navigate business challenges, financial setbacks, and public scrutiny while continuing to grow her brand.
Career Beginnings
Kelli Ferrell’s professional journey began far from the spotlight, rooted in determination, creativity, and a strong desire to build something of her own. Before gaining recognition as a restaurateur and television personality, Ferrell explored multiple career paths while nurturing her passion for cooking. Like many entrepreneurs, her early years were marked by experimentation, learning, and financial uncertainty.
Initially, Kelli balanced personal responsibilities with entrepreneurial ambitions, often working behind the scenes to refine her skills and business mindset. Cooking remained a constant, not just as a personal passion but as a potential pathway to long-term independence. She began preparing meals for small gatherings and private events, using feedback from friends and family to improve her recipes and presentation. These early experiences helped her understand customer preferences and the importance of consistency—two factors that would later define her brand.
As her confidence grew, Ferrell started viewing food as more than a passion project. She recognized the commercial potential of Southern comfort cuisine, particularly dishes rooted in tradition yet presented with a modern appeal. This realization pushed her toward entrepreneurship, even though the path came with risks. Limited resources, startup costs, and the challenge of entering a competitive food industry tested her resolve.
Despite these obstacles, Kelli Ferrell remained committed to her vision. She invested time into learning business operations, branding, and customer engagement, laying the groundwork for future success. These formative career years were crucial in shaping her entrepreneurial mindset and ultimately led to the launch of the venture that would define her financial and professional growth: Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles.
Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles: Founding & Growth
The defining milestone in Kelli Ferrell’s career came with the founding of Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, a restaurant that would become both a culinary brand and a primary source of her net worth. Inspired by her grandmother’s recipes and her own love for Southern comfort food, Ferrell opened the first location in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2016. The restaurant quickly distinguished itself with a menu centered around classic fried chicken, homemade waffles, and family-style Southern dishes, attracting locals and tourists alike.
From the start, Ferrell emphasized authenticity, hospitality, and quality ingredients, values that resonated with customers and helped her build a loyal following. Nana’s was more than just a restaurant—it was a reflection of her personal story, blending nostalgia with a modern dining experience. Word-of-mouth marketing, combined with social media promotion, played a crucial role in the restaurant’s early growth, allowing Ferrell to reach a broader audience without heavy advertising costs.
Over the years, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles expanded steadily, maintaining a balance between popularity and operational efficiency. The restaurant’s success contributed significantly to Ferrell’s wealth, providing a stable income stream that supported other ventures, including her media appearances and cookbook projects. Her hands-on involvement in daily operations ensured consistency in quality, while smart business decisions—like carefully timed expansion and maintaining manageable overhead—helped the venture remain profitable.
The restaurant’s growing reputation also attracted media attention, paving the way for Ferrell’s eventual appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles became more than a business; it became the centerpiece of her public persona and a critical driver of her net worth.
Cookbook and Brand Monetization
In addition to her thriving restaurant, Kelli Ferrell has successfully leveraged her culinary expertise into brand-building opportunities, most notably through her cookbook, “Kooking with Kelli: Kollection of Family Recipes from Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles.” Published in 2019, the cookbook allows fans to recreate her signature Southern dishes at home while reinforcing her reputation as both a chef and an entrepreneur. Beyond direct sales, the cookbook serves as a marketing tool, elevating her personal brand and drawing attention to her restaurant.
Ferrell’s approach to monetization extends beyond her cookbook. She has explored merchandise, recipe bundles, and branded products associated with her restaurant, capitalizing on the loyalty of her customer base. Limited-edition sauces, branded kitchenware, and specialty menu items provide additional income streams, demonstrating her ability to turn culinary creativity into profitable ventures. These efforts contribute not only to her net worth but also to long-term brand equity.
Media exposure amplifies this monetization strategy. Appearances on cooking shows, interviews, and social media campaigns create multiple revenue opportunities through sponsorships and partnerships. Ferrell’s social media presence, particularly on Instagram, allows her to promote both her cookbook and restaurant to a wider audience, combining storytelling with direct calls to action for purchases.
By integrating her culinary skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and media visibility, Kelli Ferrell has created a diversified revenue model. This multi-channel approach demonstrates that her net worth is not solely dependent on one source but is built on a combination of restaurant income, book sales, media exposure, and brand-related products, providing stability and potential for future growth.
Television and Media Career
Kelli Ferrell’s rise to fame was significantly amplified by her work in television, most notably her role on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA). Joining the show introduced her to a national audience, allowing her to showcase her personality, entrepreneurial spirit, and culinary expertise. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, appearing on a major reality TV franchise like Bravo often comes with appearance fees, sponsorship opportunities, and promotional deals, all of which contribute to her net worth.
Beyond RHOA, Ferrell has leveraged her status as a celebrity chef to appear on cooking shows and interviews, including programs focused on Southern cuisine and lifestyle. These appearances serve a dual purpose: they provide direct income and strengthen her personal brand, which can translate into higher restaurant traffic, cookbook sales, and social media engagement. Media visibility also positions her as a trusted authority in the culinary world, enhancing opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.
Social media plays a complementary role in Ferrell’s media strategy. With platforms like Instagram, she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her restaurant, personal life, and culinary creations, allowing fans to engage with her brand in real-time. Sponsored posts, collaborations with food brands, and digital campaigns generate additional revenue streams, turning her online presence into a profitable extension of her business.
Overall, Kelli Ferrell’s media career is intertwined with her entrepreneurial ventures. Television and social media have amplified her visibility, enhanced her credibility, and provided multiple income avenues, making her media presence an essential component of her financial and professional growth.
Social Media Influence & Endorsements
Kelli Ferrell has successfully expanded her brand beyond the kitchen and television screen by leveraging social media as a key business tool. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook allow her to connect directly with fans, showcase her culinary creations, and promote her restaurant and cookbook. With a growing follower base, Ferrell has turned her online presence into both a marketing engine and a revenue stream, demonstrating how modern entrepreneurs can monetize influence.
Through social media, Ferrell engages in brand partnerships and sponsorships with companies aligned with her culinary and lifestyle image. These collaborations often include paid posts, product endorsements, or co-branded initiatives. For example, promoting kitchen appliances, specialty ingredients, or Southern food brands not only provides income but also reinforces her credibility as a celebrity chef and restaurateur. These opportunities are especially valuable because they supplement the earnings from her restaurant and media appearances, creating a diversified financial portfolio.
In addition to paid promotions, social media also drives organic growth for her restaurant. Posts highlighting new menu items, behind-the-scenes restaurant operations, and personal stories encourage followers to visit Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles in person, directly boosting revenue. Furthermore, sharing personal milestones and authentic experiences helps Ferrell maintain a loyal fanbase, which strengthens her overall brand influence.
By combining storytelling, visual content, and strategic partnerships, Kelli Ferrell has made social media a central pillar of her business strategy. Her online influence not only enhances her public profile but also contributes significantly to her net worth through both direct and indirect income channels.
Personal Life
Kelli Ferrell’s personal life has been closely followed by fans and the media, particularly due to her visibility on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. While her public persona highlights her professional achievements, her personal experiences have also shaped her career and financial journey. One of the most notable aspects of her personal life is her marriage and subsequent divorce, which was widely covered in the media. Reports indicate that legal and financial proceedings during this period impacted her finances, yet she managed to maintain her business operations and personal brand throughout the challenges.
Beyond her relationship history, Kelli is also known as a dedicated mother, balancing family responsibilities with her entrepreneurial ambitions. This balance between personal and professional life is a recurring theme in her story, reflecting both resilience and determination. Many fans admire her ability to juggle motherhood, business, and public attention, portraying her as relatable and hardworking.
Ferrell’s personal values, rooted in family and Southern traditions, often influence her culinary and business decisions. She emphasizes community, authenticity, and connection, which resonate not only with customers but also with viewers and social media followers. These personal qualities enhance her brand, making her more than just a celebrity chef but a figure who embodies dedication, perseverance, and authenticity.
Overall, while Kelli Ferrell’s professional success is significant, her personal life has played a critical role in shaping her public image, resilience, and business strategy. Her experiences demonstrate how personal challenges and family priorities can intersect with career growth, contributing indirectly to her net worth and long-term brand value.
Legal and Financial Challenges
Like many entrepreneurs, Kelli Ferrell’s journey has not been without obstacles. While her restaurant and media ventures have been successful, she has faced legal and financial challenges that have tested both her resilience and business acumen. One of the most publicized events was her divorce, which reportedly involved disputes over business ownership, assets, and financial responsibilities. Navigating this high-profile separation required careful management to protect both her personal finances and the operations of Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles.
In addition to personal legal matters, Ferrell has also faced typical small-business financial risks, such as managing operational costs, payroll, and expansions. Opening and running a restaurant in a competitive market like Atlanta comes with challenges, including fluctuations in customer demand, rising supply costs, and unforeseen expenses. These hurdles have required Ferrell to make strategic decisions about budgeting, staffing, and pricing to maintain profitability while continuing to grow her brand.
Despite these difficulties, Ferrell has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, using challenges as learning opportunities. Publicly, she has spoken about the importance of persistence, proper financial planning, and staying committed to her vision. Her ability to manage legal disputes, business pressures, and personal setbacks has not only preserved her net worth but also reinforced her credibility as a self-made entrepreneur.
Ultimately, Kelli Ferrell’s legal and financial challenges highlight that success in the culinary and entertainment industries requires more than talent—it requires strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and emotional resilience, all of which continue to play a role in her ongoing career and financial growth.
Assets and Lifestyle
Kelli Ferrell’s net worth is reflected not only in her business ventures but also in the assets and lifestyle she has built through years of hard work. While precise details about her personal finances are private, available reports suggest that her wealth is tied primarily to her restaurant business, media appearances, cookbook, and brand partnerships. These sources of income have allowed her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle while continuing to reinvest in her ventures.
Ferrell’s lifestyle reflects a balance between professional success and personal fulfillment. She often shares glimpses of her daily life on social media, showcasing her home, culinary creations, and family moments, which resonate with her audience and enhance her personal brand. While she enjoys the perks of her entrepreneurial achievements, she appears to prioritize meaningful experiences and family over extravagant displays of wealth.
In terms of tangible assets, Kelli has invested in her restaurant operations, ensuring that Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles maintains a strong reputation for quality and service. Additionally, reports suggest she has invested strategically in kitchen equipment, real estate, and brand-related products, all of which contribute to her long-term financial stability. These decisions demonstrate a focus on building sustainable assets rather than relying solely on liquid income.
Overall, Kelli Ferrell’s lifestyle and asset portfolio reflect practical wealth management and strategic entrepreneurship. By balancing personal enjoyment with reinvestment in her brand and business, she has created a foundation that supports both her current net worth and future financial growth, reinforcing her status as a self-made restaurateur and celebrity chef.
Philanthropy and Community Involvement
Beyond her culinary and television success, Kelli Ferrell has demonstrated a commitment to giving back to her community, which has become an important aspect of her personal and professional brand. As a restaurateur deeply rooted in Atlanta, she frequently engages in initiatives that support local communities, families, and aspiring chefs. Her philanthropic efforts reflect her belief in using her platform not just for personal gain, but to positively impact others.
Ferrell has been involved in food drives, charitable events, and community outreach programs, often leveraging her restaurant and social media presence to promote causes. Through Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, she has participated in campaigns that provide meals to underserved families, especially during holidays or times of crisis. These initiatives not only address immediate community needs but also strengthen her reputation as a responsible and socially conscious entrepreneur.
In addition to food-related efforts, Kelli supports initiatives aimed at empowering women and young entrepreneurs. By sharing her experiences and insights in business, she serves as a mentor to those pursuing careers in the culinary world or small-business ownership. Her appearances on television and in media interviews often highlight these values, encouraging fans and aspiring professionals to pursue their goals with persistence and integrity.
Kelli Ferrell’s focus on philanthropy and community involvement complements her professional achievements, demonstrating that her influence extends beyond business and entertainment. By combining her wealth, visibility, and expertise with meaningful community engagement, she has cultivated a legacy of impact that enriches both her brand and the lives of those she supports.
Kelli Ferrell Net Worth Compared to Other RHOA Stars
While Kelli Ferrell has built a respectable net worth of around $1 million, it is modest compared to some of the higher-earning cast members of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Many of her co-stars have diversified portfolios that include multiple businesses, large real estate holdings, and substantial media deals, which can elevate their net worth into the tens of millions. However, Ferrell’s wealth is notable for being self-made, primarily stemming from her culinary ventures rather than inherited wealth or large-scale investments.
Compared to other RHOA stars, Ferrell represents a unique profile: a restaurateur and chef rather than a socialite or serial entrepreneur. While stars like NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, and Kenya Moore have multiple revenue streams from acting, modeling, and product lines, Kelli’s income is rooted in tangible business operations and media appearances. This distinction highlights her practical approach to wealth-building—she grows her net worth steadily through businesses she actively manages rather than relying solely on brand leverage.
Her reality TV exposure provides additional income opportunities, but unlike some cast members, Ferrell maintains a focus on long-term entrepreneurship, with Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles serving as both a financial anchor and a platform for expanding her brand. While she may not yet rival the highest-paid Housewives, her combination of business acumen, culinary talent, and media presence positions her for continued financial growth. In many ways, her story resonates as a model of sustainable, self-made success in the entertainment and hospitality industries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Kelli Ferrell
1. What is Kelli Ferrell’s net worth?
As of 2026, Kelli Ferrell’s estimated net worth is around $1 million, primarily generated through her restaurant, media appearances, cookbook sales, and brand partnerships.
2. How does Kelli Ferrell make money?
Her main income sources include Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles restaurant, cookbook sales, television appearances (such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta), social media endorsements, and sponsored brand collaborations.
3. Is Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles profitable?
Yes. The restaurant has gained a strong following in Atlanta for its Southern comfort food, contributing significantly to Ferrell’s net worth. Strategic management and a loyal customer base help maintain profitability.
4. Is Kelli Ferrell still on RHOA?
Kelli Ferrell appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta to boost her public profile and brand. While cast participation can vary season to season, her appearance increased both her visibility and earning potential.
5. Did Kelli Ferrell’s divorce affect her wealth?
Reports indicate that her divorce involved financial and legal challenges, but Ferrell successfully maintained her restaurant business and other income streams, allowing her to continue growing her net worth.
6. What other ventures does Kelli Ferrell have?
In addition to her restaurant and cookbook, Kelli engages in social media marketing, brand endorsements, and limited merchandise, creating diversified revenue streams beyond her culinary work.
7. How does Kelli Ferrell compare to other RHOA stars financially?
While her net worth is lower than some of the highest-paid Housewives, Ferrell is considered a self-made entrepreneur, relying primarily on her restaurant and personal business ventures rather than inherited wealth or extensive media deals.
Conclusion
Kelli Ferrell’s journey from home kitchens to owning a successful restaurant and appearing on The Real Housewives of Atlanta reflects a story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and strategic growth.
With an estimated net worth of around $1 million, her wealth is primarily derived from Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, cookbook sales, media appearances, and brand partnerships. While her financial standing may be modest compared to some of her reality TV peers, it represents a self-made success built on hard work, creativity, and perseverance.
Beyond financial achievements, Ferrell’s personal values family, community, and authenticity have strengthened her brand and connected her with fans on a deeper level.
She has navigated personal and professional challenges, including legal disputes and business risks, while continuing to expand her influence in the culinary and entertainment worlds. Kelli Ferrell’s story serves as a model for aspiring entrepreneurs, showing that passion, dedication, and smart business decisions can create lasting wealth and impact.
