Have you been wondering just how many Big Chicken locations are out there now? I’ve been obsessed with trying their massive sandwiches since my first bite, and I decided to do some serious digging into Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-growing chicken restaurant chain. The results might surprise you!
The Current Count: Big Chicken’s Footprint in 2025
As of September 2025, Big Chicken currently has 36 locations across the United States and internationally. This represents significant growth from the 18 locations reported in 2023 and the 25 locations reported in early 2025.
Here’s where you can find Big Chicken restaurants today:
- Arizona: 2 locations (Tempe, Gilbert)
- California: 3 locations (San Diego, Glendale, Valencia)
- Florida: 1 location (Tampa)
- Illinois: 2 locations (Rosemont, Arlington Heights – coming soon)
- Louisiana: 1 location (Baton Rouge)
- Maryland: 2 locations (Baltimore, Gambrills – coming November 2025)
- Massachusetts: 2 locations (Peabody, Wrentham)
- Michigan: 3 locations (Clio, Hartland, Livonia)
- Missouri: 1 location (Kansas City Airport)
- New Jersey: 1 location (Bridgewater)
- New York: 1 location (Elmont)
- Nevada: 4 locations (Las Vegas x2, Carson City, Minden)
- Ohio: 1 location (Miamisburg)
- Pennsylvania: 2 locations (Tannersville, State College – coming Fall 2025)
- Tennessee: 1 location (Chattanooga)
- Texas: 4 locations (Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock)
- Washington: 5 locations (Seattle, Renton, Mukilteo, North Seattle, Tacoma)
- International: 1 location (Manchester, England)
But that’s not all! Big Chicken also operates on several Carnival Cruise Line ships including:
- Mardi Gras™
- Carnival Radiance™
- Carnival Celebration™
- Carnival Jubilee™
The Big Chicken Story: From 1 Location to National Chain
I’ve always been curious about how Shaq went from basketball superstar to restaurant mogul The Big Chicken story is actually pretty fascinating!
The very first Big Chicken restaurant opened its doors on October 23 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shaquille O’Neal partnered with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group to create this unique fast-casual concept.
To promote the launch, Shaq even starred in a reality TV series called “Big Chicken Shaq” that premiered on Facebook Watch on October 6, 2018. Talk about marketing genius!
The restaurant remained relatively small until 2021, when they made a game-changing move by announcing their franchising program. That’s when Josh Halpern came on board as CEO, and things really started cooking!
Within just one year of launching their franchise program, Big Chicken confirmed a whopping 200 franchise agreements. This represented a massive leap from their original 18 stores, with plans to multiply that number by 17 times in the following year.
What Makes Big Chicken Special?
So why’s everyone getting so excited about yet another chicken sandwich place? After trying it myself, I can tell you – this ain’t your average fast food joint!
Big Chicken serves up Louisiana-style fried chicken sandwiches that reflect Shaq’s roots and larger-than-life personality. The menu is super fun because each sandwich is named after someone or something important in Shaq’s life.
Some of the most popular menu items include:
- Shaq Attack Sandwich: Fried chicken breast topped with spicy slaw, jalapeño mayo, and pickle chips on a brioche bun
- Charles Barkley Sandwich: Named after Shaq’s NBA colleague, featuring fried chicken with french fries and honey mustard
- Superman Sandwich: Shaq’s personal favorite with fried chicken breast, pepper jack, pickled red onions, jalapeño mayo, and spicy chipotle BBQ sauce
- Uncle Jerome: Named for Shaq’s bodyguard
- Shaq Daddy: Three chicken tenders with pepper jack, pickled red onions, jalapeño mayo, and spicy chipotle BBQ sauce
But the thing that really gets people talking? Those cookies as big as basketballs! Seriously, they’re massive and perfect for sharing (or not, I won’t judge).
Some locations also offer craft beers, wine, and hard liquor if you’re looking to make your chicken experience even more interesting.
Big Chicken’s Ambitious Growth Plans
Hold onto your hats because Big Chicken has MAJOR expansion plans! Back in 2021, Shaq announced his aim to open over 300 locations within 5 years.
According to the latest reports, Big Chicken has already confirmed over 300 locations in development nationwide. That’s a pretty impressive pace considering they started with just one restaurant in 2018!
The Big Chicken team seems to be using a strategic approach to growth:
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Careful franchisee selection: CEO Josh Halpern reportedly has a rigorous filtering process for franchisees – so tough that out of 3,000 applications, only 200 were approved!
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Diverse location strategy: Beyond traditional storefronts, Big Chicken has expanded into:
- Sports arenas (Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, UBS Arena in NY)
- Airports (Kansas City International Airport)
- Military bases (San Diego Naval Base)
- Cruise ships (multiple Carnival Cruise Line vessels)
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Regional focus: While initially concentrated on the coasts and Sun Belt states, they’re now targeting aggressive growth in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Michigan: A Big Chicken Growth Story
Michigan is becoming a significant part of the Big Chicken growth story. The state currently has three locations (Clio, Hartland, and Livonia), but that’s just the beginning.
Big Chicken signed a deal with H&D Group Investments to bring 20 units to Michigan. Two locations opened in early 2024, with 18 additional restaurants planned for Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Mount Pleasant, and Metro Detroit.
The first Michigan restaurant opened on Linden Road in Clio in early 2024, followed by another in Highland in spring 2024. This aggressive expansion in Michigan demonstrates the brand’s commitment to growth in the Midwest region.
What’s Behind Big Chicken’s Success?
I’ve been thinking about why Big Chicken is growing so quickly when the fast food market seems super saturated. Here’s what seems to be working for them:
1. The Shaq Factor
Let’s be honest – having one of the most recognizable athletes in the world as your founder doesn’t hurt! Shaq’s marketing power and genuine passion for the business give Big Chicken a major advantage.
2. Experience in Restaurant Ownership
Before launching Big Chicken, Shaq already had significant experience in the restaurant industry. He reportedly paid more than $100 million to own or co-own over 150 restaurants across chains like Five Guys Burgers, Auntie Anne’s, Papa John’s, and Krispy Kreme. That experience clearly pays off!
3. A Distinct Menu
In a sea of chicken sandwich places, Big Chicken manages to stand out with its Louisiana-style seasonings and creative sandwich combinations. The personal connection to Shaq’s life in each menu item creates a unique story that customers connect with.
4. Strategic Partnerships
By placing restaurants in high-traffic locations like sports arenas, airports, and cruise ships, Big Chicken gains exposure to thousands of potential customers who might not otherwise seek out their standalone restaurants.
Where Will Big Chicken Be in 5 Years?
Based on their current trajectory, we’re likely to see Big Chicken continue its explosive growth. With 300+ locations already in development and ambitious plans for more, they could potentially become a major player in the fast-casual chicken space.
Their diverse approach to real estate – including traditional restaurants, sports venues, airports, and cruise ships – gives them multiple avenues for growth that many competitors don’t have.
I’m personally excited to see if they’ll expand internationally beyond their Manchester, England location. With Shaq’s global recognition, there could be significant opportunities abroad.
Is There a Big Chicken Near You?
Wondering if you can grab a Shaq Attack sandwich in your neighborhood? The best way to find out is to check their official website at www.bigchicken.com/locations for the most up-to-date list of restaurants.
If there isn’t a location near you yet, don’t worry! With hundreds of new franchises in development, there’s a good chance Big Chicken will be coming to your area soon.
Final Thoughts: The Future Looks Bright (and Tasty) for Big Chicken
From humble beginnings in Las Vegas to 36 locations nationwide (plus cruise ships!) in just 7 years, Big Chicken has shown impressive growth. With 300+ locations in development and Shaq’s star power behind it, this chain is definitely one to watch in the fast-casual chicken wars.
I’ve personally become a bit addicted to their Superman sandwich with a side of that cheesy Cheez-It mac and cheese. If you haven’t tried Big Chicken yet and there’s one near you, I highly recommend giving it a shot!
P.S. I’m already planning my next visit to grab one of those basketball-sized cookies. Maybe this time I’ll actually share it… but probably not!
2024 is the year of the Big Chicken
Exciting news came for Michigan residents this week. After signing a deal with H&D Group Investments, the first of 20 units is opening in the state. Two of the locations are confirmed and slated for opening in 2024. The first restaurant will open in Linden Road in Clio in early 2024. Another in Highland will open in spring. 18 additional restaurants in Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Mount Pleasant and Metro Detroit are in the works.
Since opening in 2018 in Las Vegas, O’Neal has operated a handful of Big Chicken locations with his restaurant group, JRS Hospitality. It expanded to Carnival Cruise Lines, Busch Stadium in St Louis, Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, and UBS Arena in New York.
Big Chicken has had humble starts in Arizona, California, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and counting. CEO Josh Halpern makes the franchisee filtering process tougher than an Ivy League application process. Although 200 franchisees are confirmed, he rejected 3000 applications.
The Chicago suburbs got its first Big Chicken in July with the Rosemont restaurant opening for business. Another Midwest location opened in Kansas while Missouri boasts a Big Chicken in the Kansas City International Airport terminal along with the Blues stadium.
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The first of three Ohio restaurants opened in Miamisburg in April and another is coming in Columbus. They’re signing more expansion deals and announcing future locations, many slated for 2024 opening. Shaq doesn’t just have his trusty team helping him there.
Where Is Big Chicken Located? – The Rich And Famous Files
FAQ
How many Big Chicken locations are there in Florida?
Big Chicken has dozens of locations planned for Central and South Florida and recently made a franchising deal with Panhandle Restaurant Group to bring over 40 locations to the northern half of the state.
How many chickens are there in Ghana?
In the bird category, there are 62,040 chickens in Ghana, along with 3,051 guinea fowls, 1,518 ducks, and 100 turkeys. Among the other livestock (non-traditional livestock), reported grass-cutters and rabbits are 213 and 162 respectively.
When did Big Chicken start?
In October 2018, O’Neal opened his first Big Chicken restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. To promote the launch, O’Neal starred in Big Chicken Shaq, a reality TV series that premiered on October 6, 2018, on Facebook Watch. Expansions of the chain soon followed, especially after it announced its franchise program in August 2021.
Does big Chicken have fried chicken?
Big Chicken is a fast casual restaurant chain in the United States. It was founded by retired Hall of Fame National Basketball Association star Shaquille O’Neal, along with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group. The chain serves Louisiana-style fried chicken sandwiches, Cheez-It macaroni, and cookies as big as basketballs.
Who owns Big Chicken TM & 2025?
ORDER CATERING location map TM & © 2025 BIG CHICKEN and associated designs are owned by BCIP, LLC. All rights reserved. Site designed by Agency 702 privacy policyterms of use accessibility
How many Big Chicken restaurants does Shaq have?
As of 2025, Shaquille O’Neal owns or co-owns around 50 restaurant locations across the United States. His active holdings include Big Chicken (~40 locations), nine Papa John’s stores, and one Krispy Kreme in Atlanta. Shaq’s signature brand is Big Chicken, a fast-casual chain he co-founded in 2018.
Who owns the Big Chicken franchise?
Big Chicken is co-owned by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands Group (a major brand development company), and JRS Hospitality. Most recently, the multi-brand parent company Craveworthy Brands also joined as a managing partner and investor.
How much does a Big Chicken franchise cost?
What does Shaq own in Las Vegas?
Shaquille O’Neal owns 155 Five Guys restaurants, 17 Auntie Anne’s, 150 car washes, 40 24-Hour Fitness centers, a movie theater, and several Las Vegas nightclubs—making him one of the most successful athlete-entrepreneurs in the world.