Shaquille O’Neal Restaurants Key Takeaways:
- Approximately 50 restaurant locations: As of 2025, Shaq currently co-owns roughly 50 restaurant outlets across the U.S., spanning fast-casual eateries and franchise fast-food locations. (At his peak, including past ventures, he was affiliated with over 150 restaurant units.)
- Diverse portfolio of brands: O’Neal’s portfolio includes his own Big Chicken chain (around 40 locations open), Papa John’s pizza franchises (9 stores in Georgia), and an iconic Krispy Kreme doughnut shop in Atlanta.
- Former franchise stakes: Shaq previously held major franchise stakes in Five Guys (155 burger restaurants, ~10% of that chain) and Auntie Anne’s (17 pretzel outlets). He sold those investments by the mid-2010s to refocus and diversify his holdings.
As of 2025, O’Neal owns or co-owns around 50 restaurant locations across the United States, focusing on fast-casual dining and quick-service brands.
His foray into food began while he was still an athlete and has since expanded dramatically, making him one of the most prolific celebrity franchisees in the country.
In this article, we break down how many restaurants Shaq owns, which brands they are, his role in each, key partnerships, where these eateries are located, and what the future may hold for Shaq’s restaurant empire.
Shaq’s Restaurant Portfolio Overview
The table below summarizes the main restaurant brands and franchises Shaquille O’Neal has been involved in, the number of locations, and his ownership role in each:
| Brand/Concept | Shaq’s Role | Number of Locations | Type & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Chicken (founded 2018) | Co-founder, co-owner | ~40 open (2025) | Fast-casual chain serving fried chicken sandwiches and comfort food. Flagship brand that Shaq helped create; expanding rapidly via franchising. |
| Papa John’s Pizza | Franchisee; Board of Directors (2019–2024) | 9 stores | National pizza delivery chain. Shaq bought franchises in Atlanta and became a high-profile spokesperson. |
| Krispy Kreme Doughnuts | Franchisee (since 2016) | 1 store | Iconic doughnut shop in Atlanta (Ponce de Leon Ave.). Shaq’s favorite doughnut brand; he rebuilt this historic location after a 2021 fire |
| Five Guys Burgers (former) | Franchisee (sold in 2016) | 155 stores at peak | Fast-casual burger chain. At one point Shaq owned 155 franchises , but he sold all by 2016 to diversify investments. |
| Auntie Anne’s Pretzels (former) | Franchisee (2007–2022) | 17 stores at peak | Mall-based pretzel kiosks. Shaq owned 17 franchises but sold them by 2022 |
Table Note: Only active holdings are counted toward current totals. Brands that Shaq no longer owns – Five Guys and Auntie Anne’s – are included for historical context.
Each of these ventures showcases a different aspect of Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant strategy.
Below, we’ll dive deeper into each brand – what it is, Shaq’s role in it, any notable partnerships or endorsements, and the scope of its operations.
Big Chicken (Fast-Casual Chain)
Big Chicken is Shaq’s flagship restaurant chain, co-founded in 2018 in Las Vegas.
Partnering with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group, he launched a concept that reflects his personality and love for comfort food.
The menu features jumbo fried chicken sandwiches, including playful creations like the “Charles Barkley” and “Shaq Attack.” Sides like “Lucille’s” mac ’n’ cheese and cookies “as big as basketballs” keep the theme fun and indulgent.
From its Vegas beginnings, Big Chicken has expanded rapidly through franchising. By mid-2025, around 40 locations are open across more than a dozen states.
The brand also appears in non-traditional spots such as sports arenas and Carnival cruise ships. This has fueled its reputation as one of America’s fastest-growing franchises.
Shaq is deeply involved, starring in ads and even a Facebook Watch series about Big Chicken’s launch. CEO Josh Halpern credits him with helping shape strategy and quality.
In 2025, Shaq partnered with Craveworthy Brands to support further growth. With 350+ units in development, Big Chicken’s future looks as oversized as its sandwiches.
Papa John’s (Pizza Franchises in Atlanta)
In 2019, Shaq joined the Papa John’s board and purchased nine franchises in Atlanta. The move helped the company rebuild its image after a corporate scandal.
Shaq became both a franchise owner and brand ambassador, appearing in commercials and bringing humor to the brand.
His most famous contribution was the “Shaq-a-Roni” pizza, which raised over $3 million for charity in its first run.
Operationally, his nine stores are concentrated in Georgia, where he makes personal appearances to connect with customers.
He served five years on the board before stepping down in 2024. Still, he continues as a spokesperson and advisor.
Shaq has said he’s proud of the partnership, noting that Papa John’s is a brand he’s loved since college.
The franchise not only grew his portfolio but also cemented him as a credible voice in the pizza business.
Krispy Kreme (Historic Doughnut Shop in Atlanta)
Shaq has called Krispy Kreme his favorite doughnut, and in 2016 he bought the iconic Ponce de Leon Avenue location in Atlanta.
That shop, first opened in 1965, became known locally as “Shaq’s Shop.” O’Neal took pride in owning such a community landmark.
In 2021, the store was destroyed by arson, but Shaq promised to rebuild. He publicly vowed it would come back “better than ever.”
True to his word, the shop reopened in 2023 with a modern design that still honored its history. Fans lined up before dawn to celebrate its return.
Today, this remains his only Krispy Kreme, though he has hinted at wanting more. Krispy Kreme’s corporate team has expressed support for that possibility.
Shaq often jokes that he simply loves the product too much not to expand. His passion ensures the Atlanta store remains thriving and central to his food empire.
Shaq Restaurants: Future Expansion and Ventures
Shaquille O’Neal isn’t slowing down with his restaurant empire. His biggest growth plans center on Big Chicken, which already has more than 350 units in development.
The pipeline includes both free-standing stores and non-traditional spots like arenas and cruise ships. Industry experts say Big Chicken could become a national chain by the end of the decade.
In 2025, Shaq partnered with Craveworthy Brands to support this rapid expansion. The goal is to grow quickly while still protecting food quality and the customer experience.
Shaq often teases new locations on social media. He’s hinted at more Big Chicken outlets in sports arenas, college towns, and possibly overseas markets.
His other franchises also remain steady. Papa John’s is performing well, and Shaq signed a new multi-year endorsement deal even after stepping down from the board.
For Krispy Kreme, O’Neal has said he’d love to buy the entire Atlanta market. Nothing is official yet, but the successful reopening of his Ponce shop makes expansion likely.
Shaq also keeps an eye out for new food ventures that fit his brand. He famously passed on Starbucks years ago, but now he invests only in concepts he personally enjoys and understands.
Shaq Restaurants: Conclusion
In conclusion, the future of Shaq’s restaurant empire looks bright and growing. He has successfully built a foundation with Big Chicken, Papa John’s, and Krispy Kreme, and each of these has runway for expansion.
O’Neal’s business journey has evolved from learning the ropes with a few dozen franchises to now steering a burgeoning restaurant chain of his own.
Don’t be surprised if in a few years we’re talking about Shaq owning hundreds of restaurants, or if you see his face smiling down from a billboard for some new eatery.
As he’s proven time and again, Shaq is a larger-than-life entrepreneur – and in the restaurant world, he’s just getting started, cooking up his next big move.
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