Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Franchise Becomes One Of The Fastest-Growing Franchises In The US With Over 350 Locations In Development
Four-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer, and sports analyst Shaquille O’Neal continues to be a powerhouse in the fast-casual dining space.
His restaurant venture, Big Chicken, now has more than 350 locations in development across the U.S., making it one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country, Fadeaway World reports. Launched in Las Vegas in 2018, the brand has evolved into a nationwide movement built on big flavors, oversized portions, and personality-packed menu items like the “Big Aristotle” and the “Charles Barkley.”
As the outlet notes, Big Chicken’s mission is simple but impactful: Channel O’Neal’s “larger-than-life personality” into comfort food that keeps guests coming back for more.
Building that bold idea into an empire hasn’t come without its hurdles. Since launching its franchise model in 2021, Big Chicken has faced some growing pains, Essentially Sports reports.
Despite opening in promising markets like Houston, Lubbock, and Fort Worth in Texas, some locations, including one in Houston and Lake City, FL, closed suddenly, the outlet states. Meanwhile, a California store shuttered without much fanfare, and some Arkansas franchisees chose to operate independently. Still, new venues like one in Tampa, FL, continue to open, signaling the brand’s ongoing momentum, per the outlet.
A measured growth strategy supports this approach, which means carefully vetting franchisees. Essentially Sports notes that Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern has led a stringent selection process to protect the integrity of O’Neal’s image and ensure consistency across locations. The slower rollout is intentional, designed to make sure each new Big Chicken meets expectations.
Reflecting on common pitfalls in the industry, Halpern told Medium in an interview that many brands try to grow too fast. “…One of the most common mistakes I see from what could be a great brand is that they expand too quickly without the right infrastructure to support the growth…,” he said.
Beyond the Big Chicken expansion, O’Neal’s investment portfolio extends into several well-known franchise brands. Reports from FranchiseWire and SportsCasting highlight that O’Neal owned up to 155 Five Guys restaurants (accounting for roughly 10% of the chain’s footprint at one point); operated 17 Auntie Anne’s locations; held ownership of a Krispy Kreme franchise; and acquired multiple Papa John’s locations around Atlanta, along with interest in tech products, apparel, car washes, and fitness centers.
With an estimated net worth of around $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, O’Neal’s business ventures continue to expand across diverse industries.
