Big Chicken

What Big Chicken does

Big Chicken is a fast-casual chicken restaurant franchise founded in 2018 by Shaquille O'Neal and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada (legally BCIP, LLC). The company operates more than 350 locations across 19 U.S. states and three international markets (Canada, England, Honduras), generating system-wide food and beverage revenue through chicken sandwiches ($7.99–$10.99), tenders and Dunkables, Shaq Snacks, salads, sides, shakes, and kids' meals. Its core technology stack consists of an iOS/Android mobile app for takeout and delivery ordering, a Thanx-powered Big Chicken Rewards loyalty program (10 Bok Bucks per $1 with credit card linking and marketplace redemption), and a dedicated e-commerce catering platform (catering.bigchicken.com). Distribution runs through franchisees operating both traditional storefronts and non-traditional venues — sports stadiums and arenas (Busch Stadium, Climate Pledge Arena, Moody Center, UBS Arena, CFG Bank Arena, Wintrust Arena, BOK Center), Carnival Cruise Line ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Radiance, Jubilee), Kansas City International Airport, and premium outlet malls.

The business model is asset-light franchising. Big Chicken collects a $40,000 initial franchise fee plus ongoing royalties from franchisees investing $573,000–$1,288,500 per location (Express vs. Dine format), supplemented by direct catering revenue. The brand is supported by a strategic partnership stack: JRS Hospitality provides operational backbone (Las Vegas-based, $100M+ Strip revenue, led by Chef Matthew Silverman); Authentic Brands Group contributes brand development muscle ($29B+ revenue, 50+ brands, 150+ countries); and Craveworthy Brands supplies multi-restaurant platform expertise. Marketing is anchored by Shaquille O'Neal's celebrity-driven earned media and social channels (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, LinkedIn), reinforced by national advertising partner Berline Advertising and Marketing and community/philanthropy initiatives.

In early 2026, Big Chicken is finalizing a $10 million capital raise led by Branded Hospitality Ventures earmarked for international expansion, including the March 2026 Central America debut (San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, Honduras) via master franchisee BLT UK Holdings Limited, with further Central American markets (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama) in the pipeline. The company employs 101–250 people at the corporate level and operates as a private company with no disclosed standalone revenue.

Name

Big Chicken

Legal name

BCIP, LLC

Website

https://bigchicken.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Big Chicken is a celebrity-backed fast-casual chicken restaurant franchise founded by Shaquille O'Neal in 2018, operating 350+ locations across 19 U.S. states and internationally through franchisees, sports venues, airports, cruise ships, and outlet malls.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fast-Casual Chicken Restaurants

NAICS

Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Chicken Concepts (Fried/Grilled/Hot Chicken) (THAFABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Chicken & Wings QSR (THAFAAAC)

Keywords

• Fast casual restaurants
• Chicken sandwiches
• Franchise restaurants
• Catering services
• Restaurant loyalty programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Franchise Fees and Royalties: Big Chicken generates revenue through initial franchise fees ($40,000 per location) and ongoing royalty payments from franchisees. Franchise investment ranges from $573,000 to $1,288,500 including franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, and initial operating capital.
2. Direct Restaurant Sales: Revenue from direct customer purchases at company-owned or franchise locations including sandwiches ($7.99-$10.99), tenders, sides, and shakes. Menu items include The Original sandwich, Shaq Attack, Ultimate, and variousShaq Snacks items.
3. Catering Services: Corporate and personal event catering services offering dunks, tenders, sandwich platters, salads, lunch boxes, and side dishes with minimum order requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Big Chicken is a fast-casual chicken restaurant chain founded in 2018 by Shaquille O'Neal that sells signature chicken sandwiches (e.g., The Original, Shaq Attack, The Philly Fadeaway), chicken tenders (Dunkables), smaller Shaq Snacks served on garlic toast, salads, sides (crinkle-cut fries, dirty fries, mac & cheese), hand-crafted shakes, kids meals, and house-made sauces through company-owned and franchised dine-in, takeout, delivery, mobile app, and catering channels. Revenue is generated through direct menu item sales, franchise fees and royalties, and event catering services, with more than 350 locations across the United States and international markets.

Product overview

Big Chicken is a fast-casual chicken restaurant chain founded in 2018 by Shaquille O'Neal, backed by JRS Hospitality, Authentic Brands Group, and Craveworthy Brands. The company operates a unified restaurant concept offering chicken sandwiches, tenders, Shaq Snacks, Dunkables, salads, sides, shakes, and sauces through dine-in, take-out, delivery, and catering channels. The product portfolio includes the Big Chicken mobile app with integrated Big Chicken Rewards loyalty program (powered by Thanx), online ordering via thanx.com, catering services through catering.bigchicken.com, and a franchise opportunity for growth expansion. The brand emphasizes bold flavors, generous portions, and community engagement as its core differentiators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Big Chicken Mobile App Mobile application available on iOS and Android enabling customers to place quick take-out and delivery orders, access the Big Chicken Rewards loyalty program, and locate nearby restaurant locations.
• Big Chicken Rewards Loyalty Program Customer loyalty program powered by the Thanx platform that awards 10 Bok Bucks per $1 spent, allows point redemption through a marketplace of rewards, supports multiple credit card linking for automatic point accrual, and enables point credit via receipt photo uploads for in-store purchases.
• Big Chicken Catering Catering service offering platters for corporate events, game day gatherings, office luncheons, graduations, and private parties. Menu includes dunks, tenders, sandwich platters, salads, lunch boxes, sides, and beverages, with minimum order requirements for group orders.
• Big Chicken Franchise Franchise opportunity for experienced restaurant operators and multi-unit developers to open Big Chicken locations. Initial investment ranges from $573,000 to $1,288,500 including a $40,000 franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, initial inventory, training, and three months of additional funds.
• Big Chicken Sandwiches Signature chicken sandwich menu served on brioche buns with grilled or crispy chicken options. Varieties include The Original ($7.99), Uncle Jerome's Nashville Hot ($7.99), The Big Drip ($10.99), The Pit Boss ($10.99), The Ultimate ($10.99), The Big Cali ($10.99), Shaq Attack ($10.99), and The Philly Fadeaway ($10.99); available as meal with fries.
• Shaq Snacks Smaller-portion menu items served on garlic toast with grilled or crispy chicken, including The Original Shaq Snack ($5.99), Spicy Honey ($6.99), El Shaquito ($6.99), The Hot Shot ($6.99), The Mushroom Melt ($6.99), The All American ($6.99), and The Smoke Show ($6.99).
• Dunkables (Tenders) Tender-based menu items designed for dipping in house-made sauces, including Dunks ($7.49), 3-Tender Plate ($10.99), 5-Tender Plate ($13.99), 3 Tenders ($7.49), and 5 Tenders ($10.49).
• Sides Side dishes including Crinkle-Cut Fries ($3.99), Dirty Fries ($6.99), Onion Rings ($5.99), Cheese Curds ($5.99), Creamy Coleslaw ($3.99), Mac & Cheese ($4.99), and Elote ($4.99).
• Shakes Hand-crafted ice cream milkshakes in regular and mini sizes, including Chocolate ($5.99), Cookies & Cream ($7.99), Salted Caramel ($7.99), Vanilla ($5.99), The Honey Swirl Shake ($8.99), and Double Chocolate ($7.99).
• Kids Meals Child-sized meal options including Kids Tenders ($6.99), Kids Dunks ($6.99), and Kids Mac N' Cheese ($6.99).
• Big Dip Energy Sauce Series Limited-time series of dipping sauces including the Shaq's Ranch in-house dip, designed to enhance the dunking experience with the brand's signature tenders and snacks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 350 locations across the U.S. with international expansion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Berline Advertising and MarketingmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025National advertising partner providing marketing support. Big Chicken has in-house marketing support staff for day-to-day marketing opportunities and bi-weekly webinars for all franchisees. Weekly franchise meetings discuss P&L forecasting, marketing campaigns, and local marketing.
• JRS HospitalitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Las Vegas-based hospitality group serving as primary operational partner with $100MM+ revenue on Las Vegas Strip and #1 Outdoor Restaurant Patio occupant in Las Vegas. Operated by top Las Vegas Chef Matthew Silverman. Primary day-to-day operations and franchise management.
• Authentic Brands GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Multi-national, multi-billion-dollar brand development, marketing and entertainment company ($29B+ in revenue, 1,600+ partner network with 50+ brands, retail footprint in more than 150 countries). Provides brand development and marketing expertise.
• Craveworthy BrandscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Innovative multi-restaurant platform company providing operational expertise and support for franchise growth. Executives Josh Halpern and Sam Stanovich discussed AI adoption in hospitality industry.
• ThanxcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner powering Big Chicken Rewards loyalty program. Platform enables 10 Bok Bucks per $1 spent, marketplace rewards redemption, credit card linking for automatic point accumulation, and receipt photo uploads for point credit.
• BLT UK Holdings LimitedmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFranchisee leading Big Chicken's expansion into Central America, opening first two locations in Honduras (San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba) with plans to expand to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama.
• Mike's Hot HoneyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partnership for limited-time Hot Honey Shaq Snack featuring Mike's Hot Honey drizzled on crispy fried chicken tenders with hot honey mustard and signature drizzle.
• Las Vegas RaidersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhilanthropy partner for Taahirah O'Neal's $24 million youth complex project in Las Vegas, supporting athletic, educational, and mental wellness facilities.
• UFCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhilanthropy partner for Taahirah O'Neal's $24 million youth complex project, supporting youth development facilities.
• Carnival Cruise LinemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to operate Big Chicken locations on cruise ships including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Radiance, and Carnival Jubilee, providing dining options for cruise passengers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Raising Cane's: Chicken-focused fast-casual chain specializing in tenders, fries, and Texas toast with a tight, high-quality menu. Directly comparable to Big Chicken in concept (chicken-centric fast casual), target customer, and franchise-led growth model, though Raising Cane's is significantly larger and more mature.
• Chick-fil-A: Largest U.S. chicken QSR chain, dominating the chicken sandwich category with strong brand loyalty and digital ordering. Directly comparable to Big Chicken in core product (chicken sandwiches/tenders), target customer, and counter-service format, but vastly larger and operationally distinct (corporate-operated model).
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen: Chicken-focused QSR chain known for its chicken sandwich and New Orleans-inspired menu. Comparable to Big Chicken in chicken-centric menu positioning, value pricing, and franchise presence in U.S. malls and street retail.
• Dave's Hot Chicken: Fast-growing Nashville-style hot chicken concept expanding rapidly via franchising. Comparable to Big Chicken in celebrity/influencer-driven brand story, chicken-focused menu, counter-service format, and aggressive franchise-led unit growth.
• Wingstop: Chicken-focused franchise chain specializing in wings and tenders with strong digital ordering and loyalty. Comparable to Big Chicken in chicken-centric menu, franchise-led growth model, and emphasis on digital/loyalty infrastructure (Thanx-like capabilities).
• Bojangles: Chicken-and-biscuit fast-casual chain primarily in the Southeastern U.S. Comparable to Big Chicken in chicken-centric menu, counter-service format, and franchise-led expansion, though with stronger regional concentration.
• Slim Chickens: Chicken-focused fast-casual chain with tenders, sandwiches, and wings expanding through franchising. Comparable to Big Chicken in chicken-focused menu, franchise model, and mid-investment unit economics (~$1M range).
• PDQ: Chicken tenders and sandwiches fast-casual concept with a focus on fresh, made-to-order meals. Comparable to Big Chicken in chicken-centric fast-casual positioning and counter-service format.

Broad incumbents

• KFC: Global QSR incumbent specializing in fried chicken with the largest chicken QSR footprint worldwide. Comparable to Big Chicken in core product (fried chicken) and franchise model, but operates as a broad multi-national incumbent with significantly greater scale and brand awareness.

Emerging players

• Shake Shack: Fast-casual chain known for burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and hand-spun shakes. Comparable to Big Chicken in fast-casual positioning, premium-pricing strategy, and shake/crinkle-cut fry menu overlap, though Shake Shack is broader (burgers) and more urban-focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bigchickenshaq
• Facebookfacebook.com/BigChickenShaq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-chicken
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigchickenshaq
• TikToktiktok.com/@bigchickenshaq

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Chicken