How Shaq’s Big Chicken Plans To Win In The Competitive QSR Category

How Shaq’s Big Chicken Plans To Win In The Competitive QSR Category

Shaquille O'Neal and his team plan to grow his Big Chicken concept through franchising, with both ... [+] traditional brick-and-mortar locations planned and ghost kitchen locations in Walmart stores. Shaquille O'Neal goes big on everything he does. It's his modus operandi–from attacking the boards for a rebound to putting his stamp on an extra-large Shaq-a-Roni at Papa John's. He intends on doing the same for his chicken concept, aptly named Shaq's Big Chicken. The brand was founded in 2018 from a reality TV show and currently has locations in Los Angeles, Los Vegas and on the Carnival Cruise Ship Mardi Gras. Now, the chain is ramping up its growth through a new franchising program targeted toward mufti-unit operators. Most of this growth will come from traditional brick-and-mortar locations, however Big Chicken also plans to tap into the fast-growing ghost kitchen space to support its growth and anticipates opening 80 such locations inside Walmart WMT stores. The concept is backed by three ownership entities–Shaq himself, who is no stranger to the restaurant space as a Papa John's and Krispy Kreme franchisee; JRS Hospitality, which has a heavy presence on the Vegas strip; and Authentic Brands, which owns and licenses several major