Who Owns Big Chicken Restaurant? The Story Behind Shaq’s Fast Casual Chicken Chain

Big Chicken is a fast-growing fast casual chicken restaurant chain founded by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal With its playful menu items and focus on quality ingredients, Big Chicken has quickly become a favorite for chicken sandwich lovers across the United States But who exactly owns this popular restaurant concept?

The Origins of Big Chicken

The beginnings of Big Chicken can be traced back to October 2018 when Shaquille O’Neal opened the first location in Las Vegas, Nevada. O’Neal came up with the idea for Big Chicken after retiring from the NBA in 2011. He wanted to create a fast casual restaurant that served the kind of food he grew up eating, including fried chicken sandwiches and mac and cheese.

O’Neal didn’t launch Big Chicken entirely on his own. He teamed up with two major companies to turn his idea into reality – Authentic Brands Group and JRS Hospitality.

Authentic Brands Group is a brand development and marketing company that has partnered with celebrities like Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe to expand their brands. JRS Hospitality is a restaurant operator based in Las Vegas. Together, these three partners provided the perfect combination of culinary expertise, marketing savvy and celebrity power to get Big Chicken off the ground.

The Ownership Structure Behind Big Chicken

So who exactly owns Big Chicken? The ownership structure is a collaboration between Shaquille O’Neal’s company, Authentic Brands Group and JRS Hospitality.

Here’s a breakdown of the ownership:

• Shaquille O’Neal – As the founder of Big Chicken, O’Neal owns a significant stake in the company through his investment firm O’Neal Enterprises He oversees marketing and promotion using his celebrity status

• Authentic Brands Group – This brand management company owns the majority stake in Big Chicken. They contribute marketing, product development and licensing expertise.

• JRS Hospitality – As the on-the-ground restaurant operator, JRS Hospitality handles real estate, accounting, supply chain and daily operations for Big Chicken locations.

O’Neal has emphasized that while he is the face of the brand, he is working together with experienced partners to build the company. He has stated, “I’m not just slapping my name on something. I’m there tasting samples, picking the menu, designing the look.”

The Growth of the Big Chicken Brand

Since the first Las Vegas location opened in 2018, Big Chicken has experienced rapid growth across the United States. Here are some key milestones:

• August 2021 – Big Chicken announces its franchising program to expand nationwide.

• November 2021 – The first airport location opens at Salt Lake City International Airport.

• March 2022 – Big Chicken opens its first sports arena location at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

• June 2022 – The total number of Big Chicken locations reaches 18.

• February 2023 – Big Chicken opens its first international location in Macau, China.

Big Chicken’s largest markets include cities in California, Arizona, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas. The brand has continued to grow through a mix of corporate-owned locations and franchises.

There are now over 30 open Big Chicken restaurants across the United States. The ownership team has bold plans to open over 200 locations by 2025. They are currently targeting expansion in markets across the South and Midwest.

The Big Chicken Menu and Restaurant Experience

The Big Chicken menu features fried chicken sandwiches, tenders and sides inspired by O’Neal’s childhood favorites. Menu items are named after O’Neal’s nicknames and people in his life, like the Shaq Attack Sandwich and Uncle Jerry Chicken Tenders. Some fun signature items include:

• Charles Barkley Sandwich – Fried chicken breast with spicy barkley sauce

• Shaq-a-Roni – Chicken tenders with mac and cheese

• Cookie Shaq – A giant chocolate chip cookie weighing 1 pound

The restaurant design features O’Neal’s jerseys and trophies along with lively, contemporary decor. Locations aim to provide a lively gathering spot centered around great fried chicken. Many have outdoor patios, full bars and big screen TVs for sports viewing.

Shaq’s Vision for the Future of Big Chicken

As Big Chicken continues its ambitious expansion plans, O’Neal remains highly involved in guiding the brand’s strategy and vision. He has said he sees vast untapped potential in the fast casual restaurant market, both in the U.S. and overseas.

O’Neal envisions Big Chicken becoming a global brand, growing to over 1,000 international locations in the future. He also wants to expand the menu to add healthier options while staying true to the core focus on fried chicken.

With Shaq as the face of the brand and experienced partners leading operations and franchising, Big Chicken is poised for continued growth. It’s an exciting time for this celebrity-powered chicken concept that offers a taste of Shaq’s childhood in each fried chicken sandwich. Keep an eye out as Big Chicken locations continue popping up across the map!