Chicken Restaurant Founded By Shaquille O'Neal Headed To Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ —Big Chicken, a casual chicken restaurant founded by NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, reportedly has plans to open several stores in the Phoenix area, according to Phoenix Business Journal.

The restaurant currently has locations in Las Vegas, Glendale, California, Rochester, New York, in multiple sports arenas and on two Carnival Cruise ships. Now, Big Chicken's higher-ups are targeting the Valley.

According to Phoenix Business Journal, Big Chicken —which started franchising last year — is planning 12 franchises in the Phoenix area, and hoping to have the first one open by the end of 2022.

Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken, said Steve Christensen and Reid Richards have been chosen as the franchisees for the Phoenix market, and the company currently is scouting out potential restaurant locations in the area.

Christensen and Richards are the former owners of 15 Five Guys locations in Western New York and they currently own Broken Egg Cafe in Gilbert.

Earlier this month on FastCasual.com, Christensen spoke about why Big Chicken is such an appealing brand.

"It's rare to come across an opportunity like Big Chicken, which is the total package in terms of originality and taste as well as featuring an outstanding operating model," Christensen said. "We were immediately drawn to the brand's vibe and quality of the Big Chicken menu.

"It's clear to us that the possibilities are endless for this concept, especially when you consider the phenomenal leadership team behind it. We truly believe that Big Chicken will be Arizona's, and the nation's, leader in the premium fast-casual chicken restaurant category and can't wait to be a part of it."

According to its website, Big Chicken features "home-cooked childhood favorites with bold new flavors."

The restaurant's signature dish is Lucille's Mac 'n' Cheese, named for O'Neal's mother, which features a crispy Cheez-It crust.

Big Chicken also has crispy chicken sandwiches called Shaq Attack and Big Aristotle, in addition to one the folks in Phoenix might enjoy: Charles Barkley. The latter features mac & cheese, crispy fried onions and roasted garlic barbecue aioli.