Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal’s Franchises And Other Businesses {With Video Updates}

Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal is huge. And Shaq’s business empire
(which includes franchises) is too. So what businesses does Shaq own?
 

His Hugeness: Shaquille O’Neal

Before I get into Shaquille O’Neal’s franchise ventures, here’s a little information about Shaq. How big is Shaq?

He’s 7 feet 1 inches tall and weighs around 325 pounds. There aren’t too many current or former NBA players that big.

But Shaq isn’t just huge, physically. He’s also a caring guy with a huge heart. Look…

 

 
Ok. Enough mush. Let’s talk about Shaq’s businesses.
 

Shaquille O’Neal Talks Franchising, Failure, and Perseverance

Good stuff from the big man, on CNBC.

A Little About Ex-Professional Athletes And Business

Unfortunately, there are ex-professional athletes who are never heard from again after they retire.

With that being said, there are ex-professional athletes who make a bit of a splash after they retire, then fade into the background. Can you think of any?

Then there are the ones who build business empires. Like Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq owns significant Franchise business empires like Auntie Anne’s, for example. And because of that, Shaq’s net worth has increased.
 

Would You Like To Get To Know Shaq A Little Better?

Here’s a great interview of Shaq, in which he discusses the many businesses he owns (including 150 car washes), and his entrepreneurial philosophy, courtesy of The Wall Street Journal:
 

 

What Companies Does Shaq Own? Shaq’s Franchises

Let’s talk about Shaquille O’Neal’s franchise ventures-the companies Shaq owns and what he’s created for himself. Shaq is the owner of:

• 40 24-Hour Fitness centers
• 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels® franchises
• 155 Five Guys Burgers and Fries® franchises (sold)
• 1 Krispy Cream® franchise

And…
According to USA Today, Shaqille O’Neal said he’ll likely invest in BKFC, the bareknuckle organization founded in 2018 by Dave Feldman.

FYI: Shaq took fitness brand Beachbody public in a merger worth $3 billion (he’s an advisor). Notice how this new investment aligns with fitness. Specifically the 24 Hour Fitness franchises Shaq owns.

In addition, Shaq purchased a Krispy Kreme franchise business in Atlanta. (A location that’s been around for 60 years!) I guess Shaquille O’Neal likes his doughnuts.

NEW: Shaq becomes new owner of historic Atlanta @krispykreme store: https://t.co/JLxTIVhCrx pic.twitter.com/fGedYiYkjJ

— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 24, 2016

Congrats Shaq! Can I get an autograph?

So how many Krispy Kreme franchise units do you plan on adding to your franchise business empire?

How huge will your car wash empire be in a few more years?

Will you become the front-facing celebrity for Papa John’s®?

Note: Shaquille studied business at LSU.

Shaquille O’Neal Businesses: Updates!

Shaq’s Chicken Brand Now Franchising

Shaq has opened his new Big Chicken restaurant in New York’s UBS Arena 🍗

An owner of several restaurant franchises, this is Shaq’s first venture from scratch.

Asked if he’d compete with Popeyes, he said “absolutely, and we don’t run out of chicken– ever.”

(h/t @JabariJYoung) pic.twitter.com/wzNBpdAgp9

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 15, 2021

The Big Chicken menu fuses Shaquille O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with flavors crafted by Las Vegas chef and JRS co-owner Matt Silverman.

With that in mind, Shaq’s entry into the chicken side of the fast casual market must mean that chicken restaurants remain hot!

Finally, go here if you’re interested in a Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant in your own area.

Are you ready for a surprise concerning a couple of retail businesses Shaq owns?

Watch this video (at the 37:46 mark), as Shaq talks about the fact that he owns JC Penney and Forever 21. As a matter of fact, Shaquille O’Neal owns 50 different brands. He’ll explain.
 

 

Shaq’s Net Worth

Now it’s great that Shaq owns a lot of franchises and other businesses. But has doing so helped Shaq’s net worth?

I’m happy to tell you that it has. Wait…can you believe that about Forever 21 and JC Penney?

So what is Shaq’s net worth?

Shaquille 0’Neal’s net worth is reportedly $400 million and growing.

And that “growing” part may have to do with the fact that the former basketball player also owns a shopping center, a movie theater, and several Las Vegas nightclubs.

Finally, would you like some smart financial advice from Shaquille O’Neal?
 

 

There’s An Entire Industry Interested In Ex-Athletes

I wish more ex-professional athletes would launch businesses when they retire-and I’m not the only one. There’s an entire industry-with a specific program, geared towards persuading ex-professional athletes to consider franchise business ownership.

The Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative (PAFI)

“The PAFI is a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association. It’s a bridge that connects the professional athlete community to the franchise community through education, research and interaction. PAFI fulfills its mission by partnering with stakeholders in the professional sports and franchise communities to build education based programming for professional athletes interested in learning about the franchise model and franchisors and suppliers interested in discovering ways to open doors to this niche audience.”

My opinion:
It seems like a good program, and I like the guy (Stan Friedman) who runs it. But why is the franchise industry so focused on getting ex-professional athletes involved in franchises like Five Guys Restaurants and Papa John’s?
For the answer, please take a couple of minutes to read this snarky article.

C’mon…it was funny. Right?
 

Update:

The PAFI is no more. Why? I have no idea.
 

Update: Papa John’s And Shaq

Check this out.

Time for a pizza party! I’m excited to join @PapaJohns as a member of the Board of Directors and investor in 9 stores in #Atlanta. Excited to work with Papa John’s team members and customers – more here: https://t.co/PRXG7ORtFk pic.twitter.com/c5uj5BRuQ1

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) March 22, 2019

Questions For Shaq

If I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to this sports (and business) legend, here are the questions I would ask:

What’s next on your business list, Shaq?

What other franchise businesses/brands are you looking to own and add to your portfolio, Shaq?

A few more Auntie Anne’s franchises, maybe?

150 more car washes?

A few more 24 Hour Fitness centers?

Any other companies or brands you’re looking to own?

Hey…as long as you’re having fun, right?

Have you ever met Shaq?