How Many Big Chicken Locations Are There? A Deep Dive into the Growing Big Chicken Empire

Fried chicken lovers rejoice – Big Chicken is expanding rapidly across the US! This mouthwatering fast food chain founded by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, has quickly developed a cult following thanks to its delicious Louisiana-style fried chicken sandwiches and tenders.

I liked hearing more about this growing restaurant chain because I like juicy, crunchy fried chicken. I wanted to know the answer to one important question: how many Big Chicken locations are there right now?

I did a deep dive into the Big Chicken empire and will share everything I found here. You’ll find out where this well-known brand came from, what makes their menu special, and most importantly, how many locations they have now and how they plan to grow in the future.

So grab a napkin and read on to satisfy your craving for fried chicken facts!

A Quick History of Big Chicken

Big Chicken was founded in 2018 by Shaquille O’Neal, Authentic Brands Group, and JRS Hospitality. The original flagship location opened that year in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The chain got a lot of attention right away for the huge 60-foot chicken mascot that stood outside the Las Vegas restaurant. This quirky roadside architecture embodies Shaq’s lively, larger-than-life personality.

Beyond the playful branding, Big Chicken won over chicken sandwich connoisseurs with its mouthwatering fried chicken offerings. Their menu features Louisiana-style seasoning with flavors inspired by Shaq’s favorite foods and people.

Following the popularity of the Vegas flagship, Big Chicken expanded to more restaurants in Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan and beyond.

In 2021, the brand announced a franchising program to support a broader national expansion. With Shaq’s star power and delicious recipes fueling growth, Big Chicken is poised to become the next major chicken franchise.

The Big Chicken Menu: A Taste of Shaq’s Favorites

When you walk into a Big Chicken, you’ll have to make some tough menu choices. Fried chicken sandwiches and tenders with Shaq’s famously spicy Louisiana-style seasonings are what they serve.

Some customer favorites include:

• Shaq Attack Sandwich – A fried chicken breast topped with spicy slaw, jalapeño mayo, and pickle chips on a brioche bun. It’s Shaq’s ultimate slam dunk sandwich!

• Charles Barkley Sandwich – Fried chicken with french fries and honey mustard on a brioche bun, named after Shaq’s NBA colleague Charles Barkley.

• Superman Sandwich – Shaq’s favorite with a fried chicken breast, pepper jack, pickled red onions, jalapeño mayo, and spicy chipotle BBQ sauce.

• Shaq Daddy Sandwich – Three chicken tenders with pepper jack, pickled red onions, jalapeño mayo, and spicy chipotle BBQ sauce.

• Big Aristotle Sandwich – A fried chicken breast with pepper jack, slaw, comeback sauce and pickles.

The menu also features chicken and waffles, cheesy mac and cheese, hand-breaded chicken tenders, and fries. Plus they serve monster cookies the size of a basketball – perfect for sharing!

The flavors reflect Shaq’s Louisiana roots and playful personality. With sandwiches named after his nicknames and colleagues, plus creative recipes, Big Chicken offers a uniquely fun and tasty fried chicken experience.

Tracking the Growing Number of Big Chicken Locations

As a big brand with even bigger ambitions, the number of Big Chicken locations is steadily growing. But exactly how many are open today?

Based on the restaurant’s website listings and food industry reports, there are currently 25 Big Chicken locations open across the United States.

Here’s a breakdown of where you can find Big Chicken restaurants in 2023:

• Arizona – 2 locations (Tempe, Gilbert)
• California – 3 locations (San Diego, Glendale, Valencia)
• Florida – 1 location (Tampa)
• Illinois – 1 location (Rosemont)
• Louisiana – 1 location (Baton Rouge)
• Maryland – 1 location (Baltimore)
• Massachusetts – 1 location (Peabody)
• Michigan – 3 locations (Clio, Hartland, Livonia)
• Mississippi – 1 location (Hattiesburg)
• Missouri – 1 location (Kansas City Airport)
• Nevada – 4 locations (Las Vegas x 2, Carson City, Minden)
• New Jersey – 1 location (Bridgewater)
• New York – 1 location (Elmont)
• Ohio – 1 location (Miamisburg)
• Pennsylvania – 1 location (Tannersville)
• Tennessee – 1 location (Chattanooga)
• Texas – 2 locations (Austin, Houston)
• Washington – 4 locations (Seattle, Renton, Mukilteo, Shoreline)

Beyond traditional restaurants, you can also find Big Chicken concession locations inside sports stadiums and on Carnival cruise ships.

As you can see, Big Chicken has a presence across the United States. But if you don’t see your state listed above, don’t worry – it’s likely more locations are coming soon.

What Does the Future Hold for Big Chicken?

Back in 2021 when Big Chicken announced its franchising program, Shaq said he aimed to open over 300 locations in the next 5 years.

Considering they’ve launched 25 locations in just 2 years, they are well on track to hit that ambitious target.

Right now, newly opened restaurants seem to be concentrated on the coasts and Sun Belt states where Shaq himself spends a lot of time. However, franchising will enable expansion to new markets all over the country.

Based on job listings for positions like real estate project managers and construction coordinators, they are currently targeting aggressive growth in:

• Florida
• Texas
• North Carolina
• Georgia
• Tennessee
• Illinois
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey

Franchise applications are currently limited to those states. But over time, opportunities may open in additional regions.

Big Chicken also plans to expand into airports, casinos, theme parks, and military bases. Their diverse real estate approach will help bring mouthwatering fried chicken to more people nationwide.

Between new franchised locations and non-traditional restaurant formats, Big Chicken could potentially have over 100 locations within 5 years.

Get Ready for Big Chicken’s Takeover!

Big Chicken has massive growth ambitions to become the top name in bold, Louisiana-style chicken. Backed by Shaq’s star power and strategic franchising, they are well on their way to blanketing the country with hundreds of locations.

So if you’re craving the Shaq Attack Sandwich or Uncle Jerome Tenders, keep an eye out for new restaurant openings coming soon. Based on their sizzling momentum so far, Big Chicken is gearing up for a major takeover in the fried chicken scene.

Now excuse me while I drive over to indulge in a SuperMan Sandwich combo with mac and cheese and a chocolate chip cookie – my stomach is grumbling just thinking about it!