Big Chicken

Founded in October 2018 in Las Vegas by NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal, along with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group, Big Chicken brings bold Louisiana-style chicken sandwiches, tenders, and sides to a stylish fast-casual setting. The first franchise locations opened in 2021, and by 2024, Big Chicken had grown to approximately 25–27 restaurants, including airport, arena, and cruise-ship venues—a more than 1,250% expansion in under three years.

• Chef-crafted menu featuring signature chicken sandwiches (e.g. “Uncle Jerome,” “Chicago”), Cheez-It® crusted mac ‘n’ cheese, cookies the size of basketballs, and craft shakes—designed to reflect Shaq’s personality and storytelling flair.
• Memorable branding tied to a celebrity founder, modern design, and vibrant atmosphere—a fast-casual chain with lifestyle and novelty appeal.
• Operational efficiency: streamlined kitchen systems and limited menu complexity enable consistent quality and manageable staffing needs.

• Emerging fast‑casual opportunity: actively rolling out development agreements in targeted U.S. states and non-traditional venues like arenas and cruise ships.
• Multi-unit-centric model: Big Chicken looks for scale-oriented owners; incentives include temporary royalty reductions for multi-site development agreements.
• Robust franchisor support: backed by ABG’s marketing/branding expertise, JRS Hospitality’s hospitality experience, and Shaq’s involvement, the system offers strong credibility and strategic backing.

• Experienced operators or growth-minded entrepreneurs capable of opening multiple locations and executing brand standards consistently.
• Hospitality‑focused leaders who can oversee teams, manage guest experience, and maintain operational systems in dynamic fast‑casual environments.
• Hands‑on owners required—this is a full-time, restaurant-based business; absentee or part‑time operators are not suited to run Big Chicken franchised sites.

• Formal training program totaling ~219 hours—42 hours of classroom instruction and 177 hours of on-the-job training—prepares franchisees for operations and guest service excellence.
• Hands-on launch support: pre-opening crew helps with operations, staffing, forecasting, and inventory during grand opening weeks.
• Real estate and site support: franchise team helps with market studies, lease negotiations, contractor vetting, and construction planning.
• National marketing & technology tools: franchisees receive access to creative assets, PPC/social campaigns, a loyalty program, CRM systems, and ongoing promotional support.

Big Chicken is a growth-forward, celebrity-infused fast-casual chicken brand with streamlined operations and a flavor-packed menu. With strong corporate backing, targeted multi-unit development plans, and a modern restaurant model, Big Chicken offers entrepreneurs a chance to grow a dynamic business in an expanding segment. Franchise costs are competitive for a full-service concept, and the brand’s emerging status means early franchisees may enjoy high visibility and first-mover advantages.

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