

Big Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches, tenders, and shakes, was founded in October 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The brand was established by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, in partnership with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group. Big Chicken's headquarters are located in Las Vegas.
The franchise began its expansion in August 2021, launching a strategic franchising program aimed at partnering with skilled restaurant owner/operator groups. This initiative has led to the development of over 150 locations in its franchise pipeline, with restaurants operating in various U.S. cities and on Carnival Cruise ships.
Big Chicken differentiates itself by offering a menu that fuses O'Neal's home-cooked childhood favorites with bold flavors, uniquely crafted by accomplished Las Vegas chef Matt Silverman.
The menu features items named after important figures in O'Neal's life, such as the "Uncle Jerome" sandwich, adding a personal touch to the dining experience. This distinctive approach, combined with the star power of Shaquille O'Neal, sets Big Chicken apart in the competitive fast-casual dining market.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Big Chicken provides several structured training programs for its franchisees, which are detailed below:
Big Chicken offers limited territorial protection to its franchisees through designated "Protected Areas" or "Development Territories." Within these boundaries, the franchisor agrees not to open or license others to open a competing Big Chicken restaurant.
However, this protection excludes certain scenarios, such as non-traditional venues, and does not guarantee exclusivity over all forms of competition.
Franchisees should note that territorial designations do not prevent the franchisor or its affiliates from engaging in activities like marketing or establishing other types of operations within the region.
Below are some of
Big Chicken
key competitors in the
Chicken
sector.

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Nashville Hot Chicken is a fast-casual fried chicken franchise offering spicy chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries, serving guests seeking bold Southern flavors, and known for proprietary sauces, flexible restaurant, food-truck, and ghost-kitchen models, and streamlined operations designed for rapid expansion.
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Starbird is a fast-casual chicken restaurant franchise offering crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads, and digital-forward ordering, serving convenience-driven diners, and known for super-premium fast food positioning, tech-driven guest experience, and craveable feel-good chicken focused on quality ingredients.
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Wingers Restaurant & Alehouse is a sports-bar franchise offering wings, burgers, craft beer and live game broadcasts, serving sports fans and groups, and known for high-energy environment, full-menu variety and strong franchise support.
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Hot Chikn Kitchn is a fast-casual franchise offering elevated chicken sandwiches, tenders and comfort sides, serving millennials and lunch-dinner diners, and known for chef-driven taste, quality ingredients and modern franchise model.
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Duff's Famous Wings is a casual restaurant franchise offering Buffalo-style wings, sauces, and pub fare, serving sports fans and families, and known for authentic heat levels, hometown heritage, and a lively, welcoming environment.
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Champs Chicken is a hot food franchise offering fried chicken, tenders, sides, and sauces, serving convenience stores and quick-serve customers, and known for turnkey programs, branded merchandising, and consistent, craveable comfort food.
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