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Big Chicken Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Big Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant founded by Shaquille O'Neal, offering a menu of big-flavored chicken sandwiches, tenders, and sides in a fun, family-friendly environment.

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.

Initial investment

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.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000 - $40,000
Rent and Lease Security Deposit $0 - $60,000
Building and Health Permits $5,000 - $35,000
Architect & Design $25,000 - $60,000
Other Professional Services $5,000 - $15,000
Travel and Initial Training $2,500 - $20,000
Building, Construction, and Leasehold Improvements $300,000 - $650,000
Equipment $180,000 - $350,000
Smallwares and Supplies $20,500 - $25,000
Interior and Exterior Signage, Menu Boards and Graphics $27,000 - $65,000
Computer, POS, & Audio/Video Equipment $25,000 - $40,000
Opening Inventory $15,000 - $50,000
Grand Opening Expenses $10,000 - $10,000
Insurance $1,500 - $3,500
Beer, Wine and/or Liquor License $0 - $12,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $25,000 - $100,000
Total $681,500 - $1,535,500
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000 - $40,000
Rent and Lease Security Deposit $0 - $60,000
Building and Health Permits $5,000 - $35,000
Architect & Design $25,000 - $60,000
Other Professional Services $5,000 - $15,000
Travel and Initial Training $2,500 - $20,000
Building, Construction, and Leasehold Improvements $300,000 - $650,000
Equipment $180,000 - $350,000
Smallwares and Supplies $20,500 - $25,000
Interior and Exterior Signage, Menu Boards and Graphics $27,000 - $65,000
Computer, POS, & Audio/Video Equipment $25,000 - $40,000
Opening Inventory $15,000 - $50,000
Grand Opening Expenses $10,000 - $10,000
Insurance $1,500 - $3,500
Beer, Wine and/or Liquor License $0 - $12,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $25,000 - $100,000
Total $681,500 - $1,535,500

Big Chicken

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Big Chicken provides several structured training programs for its franchisees, which are detailed below:

  1. Initial Training Program
    This comprehensive program includes multiple modules aimed at preparing franchisees for operational success. Key aspects include Certified Manager Training and Owner Orientation, provided for the first restaurant without additional fees beyond the initial franchise fee.
  2. New Restaurant Opening Module
    This three-week program is conducted around the opening date of a restaurant, focusing on operational readiness and grand opening support.
  3. Certified Manager Training Program
    This intensive 15-day program, available for new management-level employees, is essential for preparing Certified Managers and Lead Managers.

Territory Protection

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.

Competitors

Below are some of

Big Chicken

key competitors in the

Chicken

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

22

New
+
633%
633%

$40,000

$682,000

$1,536,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Nashville Hot Chicken

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.

Franchisees

?

9
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$237,000 - $482,000

Starbird

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.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$843,000 - $2,027,000

Wingers Restaurant & Alehouse

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.

Franchisees

?

14
+
-7%
-7%
Investment

?

$399,000 - $1,499,000

Hot Chikn Kitchn

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.

Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$206,000 - $688,000

Duff's Famous Wings

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.

Franchisees

?

2
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$535,000 - $1,155,000

Champs Chicken

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.

Franchisees

?

415
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$9,000 - $349,000

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