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Ditching Crazy Diet and $14.3 Million Restaurant, Shaquille O’Neal Hogs Up Beef Burgers Only to Validate 50YO Rapper

Published 09/01/2023, 8:01 AM EDT

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Shaquille O’Neal is set on being the next athlete-billionaire with his second Big Chicken franchise in Houston. The $400 million worth star is rapidly growing his restaurant chain by making several shrewd business moves. Notably, after launching his second restaurant in Houston, Texas, the 7’1 legend recently took some time off for himself.

The 4x NBA champion visited a 50-year-old rapper’s venture. Shaq ditched his diet and devoured some Beef burgers, giving the American rapper’s restaurant a “DJ Diesel approval”.

Shaq’s diet-friendly visit to Bun B’s restaurant

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Since leaving the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal has become a moneymaking machine. The Los Angeles Lakers legend has made himself a name in the business world by making mammoth returns in no time.

His investments and wise business decisions have made him one of the most influential and wealthy amongst athlete-turned-businessmen.

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The four-time NBA champion recently inaugurated his second Big Chicken restaurant in Houston. But soon after inaugurating the restaurant, he visited his rapper friend to “review” his restaurant. Notably, his friend, Bun B, is one half of rap group UGK.

Shaq and American rapper Bernard ‘Bun B’ Freeman signed their record deals on the same day. Their 30 years of friendship helped them put aside their competitive restaurant businesses. Shaq, on a diet, took the “junior” burger to give a treat to his taste buds and said,

“Got a junior burger because I’m on a diet. I already know it’s good. You don’t need no review from me.”

 

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Shaq, embracing the friendship with the rapper, reminisced about their initial days and stated, “Been knowing this man for 30 years. We signed our record deals on the same day.” In response, Bun B said, “Now we in the food business, we came a long way from rap.” 

Interestingly, Big Diesel, while growing his food company, has been judiciously watching his food intake.

The lifestyle change of Shaquille O’Neal

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After his retirement from the NBA, Shaq neglected his eating habits, resulting in his being overweight. However, soon, the 2000 NBA MVP took charge of the issue and changed his lifestyle completely.

Shaq started by taking care of his diet and the things he ate. The Basketball Hall of Famer’s diet now consists of mainly nutrient-rich foods. He consumes his food in small portions to support his weight-loss goals and includes regular workouts in his lifestyle.

“Okay, meal one is a shake, and then I’m going to go work out. Meal two will probably be little egg wraps. Meal three will be a salad, and then meal four and five will be chicken and steak.”

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With the inclusion of diet and regular workouts in his lifestyle, Shaq has seen notable results. 

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Written by:

Amey Dhume

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Amey is an NBA content writer at EssentialySports. As an NBA enthusiast, Amey closely follows the league and stays updated on the latest happenings. With a background as a state-level basketball player, he brings a unique perspective to his writing about the sport.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair