Who Owns Big Chicken Restaurant? The Full Story Behind Shaq’s Chicken Empire

Ever wondered who’s behind those delicious fried chicken sandwiches at Big Chicken? If you’ve been curious about the ownership of this fast-growing restaurant chain you’re in the right place. The short answer basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is the famous face behind Big Chicken, but he’s not alone in this venture. Let’s dive into the complete ownership structure and story behind this popular chicken joint.

The Founding of Big Chicken

Big Chicken burst onto the food scene in October 2018 when Shaquille O’Neal opened the first location in Las Vegas, Nevada. After hanging up his basketball sneakers following his retirement from the NBA in 2011, Shaq decided to pursue his passion for food – specifically the comfort foods he enjoyed growing up.

But Shaq didn’t just wake up one day and decide to open a chicken restaurant by himself. He partnered with some serious players in the hospitality and brand management world to make Big Chicken a reality.

Who Actually Owns Big Chicken?

Big Chicken is backed by what they themselves call a “dream team” of partners

1. Shaquille O’Neal – The Hall of Fame basketball star and the face of the brand
2. JRS Hospitality – An accomplished Las Vegas-based hospitality group
3. Authentic Brands Group (ABG) – A multi-national, multi-billion-dollar brand development, marketing and entertainment company
4. Craveworthy Brands – An innovative multi-restaurant platform company that made a strategic investment in early 2025

This ownership structure combines celebrity star power with serious restaurant industry expertise. While Shaq is definitely the face you recognize, the business operates through this partnership structure that brings together different strengths.

Shaq’s Role in Big Chicken

Contrary to what some might think Shaq isn’t just lending his name to the restaurant. He’s actively involved in many aspects of the business. As he stated himself “I’m not just slapping my name on something. I’m there tasting samples, picking the menu, designing the look.”

Shaq brings his massive celebrity status and marketing power to the brand. His involvement helps draw attention and customers to Big Chicken locations. Plus, his childhood food favorites directly influence the menu offerings.

The Big Chicken Menu: A Taste of Shaq’s Life

One of the coolest things about Big Chicken is how the menu tells stories from Shaq’s life. Each menu item reflects something about O’Neal’s personality or people important to him:

• The Charles Barkley Sandwich – Named after his colleague and sometimes rival
• The Uncle Jerome – Named for his bodyguard
• The Superman and Shaq Daddy – Named after his famous nicknames

The menu features crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, Cheez-It® crusted mac n’ cheese, and hand-crafted ice cream shakes. Many items are based on O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites but with modern flavor twists.

Some signature dishes include:

• Charles Barkley Sandwich with spicy Barkley sauce
• Shaq-a-Roni with chicken tenders and mac and cheese
• Cookie Shaq – A giant chocolate chip cookie weighing 1 pound!

Big Chicken’s Rapid Expansion

Since that first Las Vegas location in 2018, Big Chicken has been growing at an impressive pace:

• August 2021: Announced its franchising program to expand nationwide
• By 2023: Had reached 18 locations across the United States
• February 2023: Opened first international location in Macau, China
• September 2025: Over 30 locations now open across the US

The company has bold expansion plans, targeting 200+ locations by the end of 2025. Big Chicken restaurants can now be found in various settings, including:

• Standalone restaurants
• Sports arenas
• Military bases
• Carnival cruise ships
• Airports

Where Can You Find Big Chicken Restaurants?

Big Chicken has expanded to numerous locations across the United States. Some cities with Big Chicken restaurants include:

• Las Vegas, Nevada (the original location)
• Tempe and Gilbert, Arizona
• Glendale and Valencia, California
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Bridgewater, New Jersey
• Elmont, New York
• Miamisburg, Ohio
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Austin and Houston, Texas
• Seattle and Renton, Washington
• Peabody, Massachusetts
• Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Fort Worth, Texas (opened in 2025)

The brand continues to target new markets, with a focus on expansion in the South and Midwest.

Shaq’s Larger Restaurant Empire

Big Chicken isn’t Shaq’s first foray into the restaurant business. Actually, the basketball star has invested over $100 million to own or co-own more than 150 restaurants across various chains, including:

• 155 Five Guys Burgers restaurants
• 17 Auntie Anne’s locations
• Numerous Papa John’s franchises
• Several Krispy Kreme locations
• Multiple nightclubs in Las Vegas
• 150 car washes
• 40 24-Hour Fitness centers

Clearly, Shaq knows a thing or two about the food service industry. Big Chicken represents his most personal restaurant venture, however, as it’s directly tied to his name and childhood food experiences.

The Management Structure

While Shaq and his ownership partners set the vision, the day-to-day operations are handled by experienced restaurant executives:

• Josh Halpern serves as CEO of Big Chicken
• He works closely with Gregg Majewski, CEO and founder of Craveworthy Brands

This management structure ensures that while Shaq provides the creative direction and marketing power, seasoned restaurant professionals handle the complex operational aspects of running a growing restaurant chain.

The Future of Big Chicken

Shaq has big plans for Big Chicken (pun intended). He envisions the brand becoming a global powerhouse with over 1,000 international locations someday. The company is also looking at:

• Expanding menu options to include healthier choices
• Maintaining the core focus on fried chicken
• Continuing to tell Shaq’s personal story through food

What Makes Big Chicken Stand Out?

In a crowded chicken restaurant market, Big Chicken differentiates itself through:

1. Celebrity connection – Shaq’s involvement goes beyond just a name
2. Personal storytelling – Each menu item connects to Shaq’s life and personality
3. Quality ingredients – Focus on high-quality chicken and ingredients
4. Unique menu items – Like the Cheez-It® crusted mac n’ cheese
5. Fun atmosphere – Restaurants feature O’Neal’s jerseys, trophies, and memorabilia

My Take on Big Chicken

I’ve had the chance to try a few Big Chicken sandwiches, and I gotta say – they’re pretty darn good! The Charles Barkley sandwich with that spicy sauce is my personal fave. What makes the experience unique is how you can literally taste Shaq’s childhood through the menu. It’s not just another celebrity restaurant; there’s real heart behind it.

The restaurants themselves have a fun vibe with basketball touches that aren’t overwhelming. You don’t need to be a basketball fan to enjoy the food, but if you are, you’ll appreciate all the little nods to Shaq’s career.

Final Thoughts

Big Chicken represents a unique partnership between a basketball legend and experienced restaurant and brand management companies. While Shaquille O’Neal is definitely the famous face and creative force behind the brand, the ownership structure includes JRS Hospitality, Authentic Brands Group, and more recently, Craveworthy Brands.

This combination of star power and business expertise has enabled Big Chicken to grow rapidly since its 2018 founding, with ambitious plans for future expansion. The next time you bite into one of their chicken sandwiches, you’ll know there’s more than just Shaq behind the operation – though his personal touch is evident in every bite.

So if someone asks you “who owns Big Chicken restaurant?” – you now have the complete answer!

Have you tried Big Chicken yet? What’s your favorite item on their menu? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

Yes, Big Chicken is a franchise. Founded by Shaquille O’Neal, it’s a growing fast-casual restaurant concept that sells its franchise rights to interested parties who wish to open their own locations under the Big Chicken brand. The company provides information on franchising on its website for those looking to become owners.

Shaq’s current restaurant holdings include his Big Chicken franchise (around 40 locations), nine Papa John’s stores in Atlanta, and one Krispy Kreme in Atlanta, totaling approximately 50 fast-casual and fast-food locations as of mid-2025.