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.
Franchise · Food & Restaurant
Big Chicken Franchise
Shaquille O'Neal's fast-casual chicken brand, backed by Authentic Brands Group and expanding through multi-unit
How much does a Big Chicken franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
Ongoing royalty
Advertising royalty
Locations in the U.S.
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- 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)
Fact sheet
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?
What is the Big Chicken franchise concept based on?
What experience do I need to become a Big Chicken franchisee?
What training and support does Big Chicken provide to franchisees?
How many Big Chicken locations are currently operating?
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
- Official Big Chicken franchise information (2025)
- Official Big Chicken franchise development site - Investment (2025)
- Franchise Times coverage of Big Chicken franchising launch (2021)
- Franchise Times coverage of Craveworthy Brands partnership (2025)
- International Franchise Association news on Big Chicken Michigan deal (2023)
- 1851 Franchise analysis of Big Chicken FDD and growth (2025)
- Wikipedia entry on Big Chicken restaurant chain (2023)
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Big Chicken
Investment $573,000 to $1,288,500