Video: Shaq talks about Austin, Big Chicken and a possible reboot of “Steel”
Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is in town for the US Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
Earl Hopkins and Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
Big Diesel is bringing big taste to Michigan with his new fast-casual restaurant, Big Chicken.
Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal partnered with Authentic Brands Group, a multi-billion dollar marketing company, and JRS Hospitality in 2018 to launch a restaurant chain focused on modern versions of O’Neal’s “homemade favorites from his childhood,” such as crispy chicken sandwiches and Cheez-it-crusted mac and cheese.
Big Chicken opened its first Michigan location in Clio, north of Flint, in February and will open its first location in the Detroit metro area on Tuesday. Big Chicken will open its doors in Hartland Township, in Livingston County, at 10500 Highland Road.
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And there are more Big Chickens to come. O’Neal’s team has signed a deal with Michigan-based franchise group H&D Investments in 2023, paving the way for 20 new stores across the state, including in Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing, Metro Detroit, Mount Pleasant and Saginaw.
The franchise company, which describes itself as “emerging” but “giant-owned,” is currently in the process of opening or operating more than 300 Big Chicken locations across the country, with a focus on metropolitan areas like Detroit.
When the Hartford location opens on Tuesday, the first 34 customers will receive free food and drinks from Big Chicken for a year, in homage to O’Neal’s jersey number, 34.
Breaking news reporter Liam Rappleye can be reached at [email protected]
