Joel Libava
(Image courtesy of the Big Chicken website)
Shaq’s Big Chicken franchise, Shaquille O’Neal’s not so new entry in the fast-casual restaurant space continues to get lots of attention in 2025. In a moment, I’ll share more important information on this hot concept in the food franchising space.
Plus, I’m going to share the latest Big Chicken franchise cost, restaurant openings, what’s next for Shaquille O’Neal’s food franchise, and more. Let’s dig in.
Big Chicken Franchise: Shaq’s Recent Restaurant Openings
As you’ll see, Shaq’s chicken franchise is exploding.
Check out where Shaquille O’Neal’s chicken franchise restaurants have opened…or are opening soon.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New York
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- 4 Carnival Cruise Line ships
With more locations to come! And with it, lots of new local employees!
As an NBA legend, Shaquille O’Neal is wisely using his sports connections to get his new brand noticed. And he’s done it before.
For instance, he recently opened a Big Chicken restaurant in the brand-new UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
That’s where NY Islanders fans will have an opportunity to taste Shaq’s crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries while they’re cheering on their team.
One more thing.
The former NBA star opened a Big Chicken restaurant in the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
It’s where the Kraken, the National Hockey League’s newest team, will play their home games. Exciting times, for sure! And I have a feeling that Shaquille is just warming up, with more arena/stadium partnerships to come.
Specific Details On Availability (from the Big Chicken franchise website)
Big Chicken Franchise Development Agreements Signs and Areas Available:
Washington, California, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts
And as of now, all other states are open for franchising development.
What Is Big Chicken?
In a nutshell, the former NBA star’s Big Chicken is a fast casual restaurant that specializes in fried chicken. And chicken is hot!
Menu items include crispy chicken sandwiches, sliders, chicken tenders, salads and more.
And to help get the product out to more people in more places, Big Chicken has partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands. Good strategy, Shaq!
Note: I wish I would’ve stopped at Shaq’s Big Chicken franchise in Las Vegas when I was there to speak at a conference a couple of years ago. I would have stopped in to review the food and the restaurant experience for you. Darn!
Wait. Here’s a quick reminder that Shaq’s restaurants are on cruise ships!
New Video Featuring Big Chicken Franchise Execs
Check out what these franchise executives have to say about running a fast-growing franchise brand.
2024 Big Chicken Franchise Cost
The Big Chicken restaurant started accepting franchise applications in 2021. And they continue to get lots of interest from would-be franchise owners in 2025.
Cost-wise, the 2025 initial investment for the Big Chicken Franchise ranges from $681,500 to $1,525,500. That includes the franchise fee, which comes in at a reasonable $40,000.
In addition, there’s a 5% royalty on sales, along with a 2% marketing fee which will be used for both national and local marketing.
More Big Chicken News Updates
West Texas And Central Oklahoma Agreements Signed
Coby Jones, an accomplished restaurant franchise investor with over 20 years of industry experience, has signed a multi-unit agreement to open 6 locations across West Texas and Central Oklahoma.
Louisiana Multi Unit Deal Signed
Jason Ratlif, is set to open Shaq’s franchises from Tyler and Upper East Texas to Monroe, Louisiana.
Shaquille O’Neal Bringing Chicken Restaurant To Nashville
Shaquille O’Neal is making big moves in Tennessee, bringing his very own chicken “shaq” to Nashville.
Big Chicken, co-founded by the former NBA star in 2018, is set to open 10 restaurants around Tennessee thanks to a new franchise agreement with a local restauranteur, per WKRN. The first location will open in Nashville at a to-be-determined location and date with other locations expected in Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Big Chicken Opening at Austin Landing
Shaq’s franchise is opening at Austin Landing, and it’s the the first of 3 Big Chicken franchises slated to open in the Dayton area.
This is Big stuff!
Southwest Ohio Getting 3 Big Chicken Restaurants
Shaq’s Big Chicken just signed 50-unit franchise agreement in the big state of Texas. The young chicken chain will open restaurants in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas.
New! The Florida Panhandle will now be the home to potentially four Big Chicken locations.
Phoenix Restaurants Coming Soon
Shaquille’s new restaurant, with locations in Las Vegas, Glendale, California, Rochester, New York, in multiple sports arenas and on two Carnival Cruise ships, is targeting the Phoenix area for expansion.
Shaq’s Big Chicken Restaurant Signs Franchise Agreement For Chicago
Chicago-area entrepreneur Ken Patel, who was once one of 7-Eleven’s biggest franchisees, has signed an agreement to open the first Big Chicken restaurant in the Rosemont area of Chicago.
Should You Buy A Shaq’s Big Chicken Franchise?
While it would be wonderful to own and operate one or more Big Chicken restaurant franchises, you need to make sure owning a food-service establishment is right for you.
For instance, have you ever worked in and/or managed a restaurant?
Are you in good shape? I hope so, because operating a restaurant is hard work, with 12-hour days being the norm. Especially at the beginning.
That said, in a perfect world, you’ll eventually be able to back off and take on the role of “managing the managers.”
Next, it’s important to have the money needed to open and operate your Big Chicken franchise. That includes having enough working capital on hand for inventory, payroll, taxes, and repayment of your small business loan.
Finally, it’s not very often that a big celebrity gets behind a franchise. Especially someone like Shaq. A guy who knows business. And to date, Shaquille O’Neal’s chicken restaurant is being talked about a lot.
With that in mind, if you’re thinking about buying a franchise, maybe you can hitch a ride on his brand and become the owner of Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant in your hometown.
Are you interested?
FAQ’s About Shaq’s New Brand
It’s called Shaq’s Big Chicken, and the menu features fried, crispy chicken and a unique selection of side dishes.
Yes. The brand is looking for multi-unit franchisees. The initial investment for one franchise ranges from $450,000 to $1.4 million.
Yes. Shaq opened a Big Chicken restaurant at the UBS Arena on November 20, 2021.
Yes. Shaq’s restaurant opened its first in-arena location at the Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.
Big Chicken franchise images courtesy of the Big Chicken Facebook Page.
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