Shaquille O’Neal is taking his restaurant franchise talents to Nebraska.
The former NBA superstar-turned-serial entrepreneur has announced that his fast-casual restaurant franchise, Big Chicken, will expand to the Omaha market, according to KETV Omaha.
O’Neal plans to open two Big Chicken locations in Omaha, led by father-son duo and local entrepreneurs Tom and Zak Davis.
“Our experience has provided us a perspective on Big Chicken that we feel fantastic about. We know that it is the right time to bring the quickly growing brand to Omaha,” said Tom, per KETV. “There are a lot of parallels for us with Big Chicken and its leadership team. We have a deep appreciation for running great restaurants, and Big Chicken’s team is equal to the match. We have been following the growth of Big Chicken for a while, and once we were finally able to try the menu, we decided to get serious about opening our own stores in Omaha.”
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As AFROTECH™ previously reported, this is not O’Neal’s first venture into non-sports endeavors. His portfolio includes several Auntie Anne’s Pretzels restaurants, more than 100 car washes, and 40 24-Hour Fitness centers.
Additionally, in 2022, he announced his plans to open 50 Big Chicken locations throughout Texas in key cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Currently, Texans can visit Big Chicken restaurants in Austin, Houston, and Richmond, with three more opening in mid-2024 in Forth Worth, Lubbock, and Houston, per its website. Big Chicken is also available in 18 states and on Carnival Cruise Lines.
O’Neal credited his business crew for contributing to Big Chicken’s growth.
“Big Chicken wouldn’t be growing like it is without the team behind it,” said O’Neal in a news release at the time. “My team has done a fantastic job making sure we’re growing in the right way, with the right people.”
