Who Owns Big Chicken? – Ownership and Expansion Insights

Overview of Big Chicken Ownership

Big Chicken, a rapidly expanding fast-casual restaurant chain, launched in 2018 through a strategic partnership. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands Group (ABG), and JRS Hospitality joined forces, creating a strategic alliance that combines celebrity magnetism with proven expertise in brand development and hospitality management.

Shaquille O’Neal serves as both the public face and driving visionary behind the brand. His involvement transcends mere celebrity endorsement—O’Neal is a founding proprietor who actively shapes the brand’s evolution and championing its growth.

Shaquille O’Neal – Founder and Visionary

Beyond his legendary NBA career, O’Neal has evolved into a shrewd business mogul and dedicated philanthropist. His expansive business empire spans multiple franchise investments:

• 24-Hour Fitness gyms

• Car washes

• Five Guys Burgers

• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

• Papa John’s

In addition to athletic glory and business ventures, he holds a PhD in Leadership and Education—academic credentials that add intellectual weight to his entrepreneurial pursuits. His personal brand and credibility significantly enhance Big Chicken’s market appeal, positioning the restaurant chain as a cornerstone of what he proudly calls his collection of franchise brands.

O’Neal’s community commitment shines through The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, which champions underserved youth through impactful initiatives: Shaw to School, Thanksgiving, and Shaw a Claus. This blend of celebrity status, business savvy, and genuine philanthropy creates a well-positioned founder.

Crave worthy Brands – Strategic Partner

Crave worthy Brands serves as a pivotal strategic partner, acting as managing partner, investor, and key stakeholder. The company has strategically woven Big Chicken into its rapidly expanding portfolio of dynamic food service brands.

Crave worthy Brands has rapidly acquired five brands in under a year—a testament to its aggressive growth strategy and industry influence. Its diverse portfolio showcases:

Ever star strengthens this partnership as a strategic advisor to Crave worthy, investing through Ever star Funds in both the parent company and the Big Chicken alliance. This investment structure provides Big Chicken with strong resources and specialized expertise. This supports ambitious expansion while preserving the brand’s founding vision and authentic identity.

Key Investors and Supporters of Big Chicken

JRS Hospitality – Backing Big Chicken

JRS Hospitality provides expertise in restaurant operations and event management to the partnership. These Las Vegas-based events and catering company provides operational expertise that perfectly complements O’Neal’s star power and Authentic Brands Group’s marketing prowess.

JRS Hospitality focuses on building a platform that elevates top brands through proven systems—invaluable for sustaining operational excellence in today’s competitive restaurant landscape.

JRS Hospitality’s deep Las Vegas market experience is valuable. The city’s notoriously competitive dining scene and sky-high standards have forged insights and capabilities that fortify Big Chicken’s expansion into new territories. This backing guarantees operational consistency and unwavering quality standards across all locations—essential for any ambitious restaurant chain.

Authentic Brands Group – Brand Management

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) delivers world-class brand management as a global development, marketing, and entertainment company. Its star-studded portfolio reads like a who’s who of iconic brands:

ABG orchestrates strategic brand positioning, cutting-edge marketing, and comprehensive growth planning. The company also manages O’Neal’s personal brand, creating natural synergy and consistent messaging for Big Chicken.

ABG’s mastery in licensing, merchandising, and brand extension creates opportunities beyond restaurant operations. Think retail products and diversified revenue streams. This holistic brand management approach positions Big Chicken for sustained growth and market dominance in both traditional and emerging markets.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

Big Chicken’s expansion strategy mirrors its owners’ bold ambitions: 26 new stores targeted for 2025, culminating in 272 restaurants by 2029’s end. This expansion reflects unwavering confidence in the brand’s potential to dominate the fast-casual market.

The strategy focuses on attracting seasoned, multi-unit franchisees across powerhouse states like California, Florida, and Texas. Development agreements are already in motion in these markets. Prime territories remain available in other states.

Fueling this growth is a flexible franchise model designed to work in traditional restaurant locations and non-traditional venues alike—sports arenas, airports, and other venues. This location flexibility, paired with partnerships featuring experienced operators, positions Big Chicken to seize diverse revenue opportunities while building brand recognition across countless consumer touchpoints.

Current Locations and Market Presence

Big Chicken has carved out a strategic footprint across major U.S. markets, with Las Vegas anchoring operations as the central hub. The brand has fortified its Nevada presence through multiple locations, capitalizing on the city’s vibrant dining scene and massive tourist traffic to build brand recognition and develop operational expertise.

Beyond Nevada, Big Chicken is expanding in Texas through a substantial 50-unit franchise agreement. The expansion targets major metropolitan areas:

The brand’s strategic presence across these key states creates a strong foundation for nationwide expansion. Each location functions as a brand ambassador, driving momentum for continued growth.

Franchise Opportunities and Model

Big Chicken presents a compelling franchise opportunity enhanced by Shaquille O’Neal’s star power and backed by expert hospitality partners. The model offers franchisees several advantages: a proven concept, instant brand recognition, and customer magnetism driven by O’Neal’s celebrity status.

Franchisees access Big Chicken’s comprehensive support ecosystem—training, marketing support, and operational guidance included. This structured approach empowers new franchise owners to execute the proven business model that has propelled the brand’s success. Celebrity-backed concepts often provide better funding access compared to independent restaurant startups.

The most successful franchisees share genuine brand enthusiasm, which translates into authentic customer experiences. For qualified operators, Big Chicken represents a distinctive franchise opportunity offering strong growth potential.