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Franchise · Food & Restaurant

Big Chicken Franchise

Shaquille O'Neal's fast-casual chicken brand, backed by Authentic Brands Group and expanding through multi-unit

$40,000
franchise fee
USD 573k – 1.3Mk
investment
27
U.S. locations

How much does a Big Chicken franchise cost?

Franchise fee

Amount paid when signing the contract

$40,000

Total investment

Estimated total budget for the opening

$573,000 – $1,288,500

Ongoing royalty

6%

Advertising royalty

2%

Locations in the U.S.

27

Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.

What it's about

Big Chicken brings Shaquille O'Neal's fast-casual chicken concept to growth-minded multi-unit operators across the United States, backed by Authentic Brands Group, JRS Hospitality, and newly-joined Craveworthy Brands. With a celebrity-driven menu and a development pipeline already stretching into nearly 20 states, the brand is positioning itself as one of the faster-growing emerging restaurant franchises heading into 2026.

Fact sheet

Founded
2018
Units in the market
27
Locations
27
Type of business
Fast-casual chicken restaurant
Company
BC Licensing LLC (per third-party FDD analysis, not confirmed on official site)

The right questions before you start

Why operators are looking at Big Chicken right now

The brand's ownership group is its biggest selling point: Authentic Brands Group alone reports more than $29 billion in managed retail sales across 50-plus brands and 150-plus countries, while JRS Hospitality brings over $100 million in Las Vegas Strip restaurant revenue experience. In 2025, Craveworthy Brands came on board as a managing partner specifically to help systemize operations for multi-unit buyers, a move the company has described as preparation for accelerated national and international growth. Unit counts have climbed steadily, from roughly 3 franchised locations in 2022 to the upper-20s by late 2025, with openings inside casinos, an MLB stadium, and an NBA arena -- signaling flexibility across nontraditional venues as well as standard retail sites.

Who Big Chicken wants behind the counter

This is not positioned as a first-time-owner concept. The company's own language points toward franchisees with established restaurant operating experience, and press coverage from Franchise Times confirms the brand is actively structuring two-unit and larger multi-unit development agreements rather than single stores. A recent deal with H&D Group Investments for 20 locations across eastern Michigan illustrates the scale Big Chicken is seeking from its development partners. Candidates should expect scrutiny on operational track record, available capital, and the ability to staff and train teams consistent with the brand's hospitality standards.

What it costs to open a Big Chicken location

According to the brand's official investment page, total estimated initial investment ranges from $573,000 to $1,288,500 depending on format, with a $40,000 franchise fee included in that figure. Third-party analysis of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document cites a somewhat higher range, up to roughly $1,535,500, so prospective franchisees should request the current FDD directly from the company to confirm the exact figure at the time of application. Royalty structure has reportedly moved from 5% of gross sales at the 2021 program launch to 6% today, plus a 2% brand marketing contribution, based on FDD details reported by industry outlets rather than the official site itself.

Big Chicken by the numbers
  • Founded: October 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Franchising launched: 2021
  • Units open: roughly 27 as of late 2025, with 5 more in development
  • Estimated total investment: $573,000 to $1,288,500 (official), up to $1,535,500 per third-party FDD analysis
  • Franchise fee: $40,000
  • Royalty: approximately 6% of gross sales, plus 2% brand marketing fee
  • Signed development states include Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Ohio, and more than a dozen others
  • International expansion underway in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Central America

Anyone with restaurant operating experience and the capital to support a multi-unit buildout should reach out to Big Chicken's development team directly to request the current Franchise Disclosure Document and discuss territory availability.

How much does it cost to open a Big Chicken franchise?
According to the official franchise investment page, total estimated initial investment ranges from $573,000 to $1,288,500, including a $40,000 franchise fee. Some third-party analysis of the 2025 FDD cites figures up to roughly $1,535,500, so costs vary depending on format and location. Prospective franchisees should request the current FDD directly from the company for confirmed numbers before applying.
What is the Big Chicken franchise concept based on?
Big Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant built around the childhood food memories and personality of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, featuring crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, Cheez-It-breaded mac and cheese, and milkshakes. The brand operates two formats, Express and Dine, giving franchisees flexibility in site size and service style depending on the local market.
What experience do I need to become a Big Chicken franchisee?
Big Chicken specifically seeks franchisees with proven restaurant operating experience, and the company has shown a strong preference for multi-unit and multi-store development agreements over single locations. Recent deals, such as a 20-unit agreement in eastern Michigan, reflect this focus on experienced, growth-oriented operators rather than first-time restaurant owners.
What training and support does Big Chicken provide to franchisees?
The official onboarding process includes FDD review, a Discovery Day, and guidance on securing high-traffic, high-visibility real estate. Third-party sources citing the FDD mention roughly 177 hours of on-the-job training and 42 hours of classroom instruction, plus ongoing marketing and operations support, though these figures are not explicitly confirmed on the official company site.
How many Big Chicken locations are currently operating?
As of late 2025, third-party industry sources report approximately 27 open units with 5 more in development, up from just 3 franchised locations in 2022. The brand has also begun international expansion into the United Kingdom, Canada, and Central America, though a fully consolidated worldwide unit count is not publicly confirmed.

Sources and data verification

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Big Chicken

Investment $573,000 to $1,288,500