When Shaq wanted to see a Big Chicken everywhere, he meant everywhere. Shaquille O’Neal’s latest expansion plans are special to him for multiple reasons. It connects his military brat childhood with the love for his mom’s recipes, pays homage to his father, and gets him closer to one of the professions he respects the most. And maybe, he gets a little brownie point over Charles Barkley. The TNT cat-and-mouse duo have very similar beliefs about those in service and have made it part of their outreach. The question is, who’s doing it better?

Big Chicken Shaq made a major announcement on October 3. After the recent new restaurants in Fort Worth and Hartland, Big Chicken has opened its first location on a military base. The service people at the San Diego Naval Base, California, can get their chicken sandwich fix at Big Chicken the way a young Shaq did growing up on a San Antonio base.

The official Big Chicken page announced, “NOW HEAR THIS 🔥 We officially opened our first military base location at the San Diego Naval Base (@NavalBaseSD) in California! Sailors, are you ready for the BIG FLAVOR and BIG FUN of #BigChickenShaq?!”

This new location has all the Shaq signatures in its interiors. The uniformed heroes flexed their Big Chicken purchases proudly. Shaq hasn’t visited this new location yet (he recently visited the restaurants in Fort Worth and Hartland) but he could drop by the San Diego base soon.

After all, he has to outdo Charles Barkley there. Sir Charles spent Labor Day hosting a bottle signing event by Redmont Vodka at Fort Moore in Georgia. Redmont is to Chuck what Big Chicken is to Shaq. He invested in the Birmingham-based distillery to boost the economy in Alabama, where he grew up.

Chuck’s always maintained that the service folk, nurses, and teachers have much harder jobs than NBA players. He’s never shy about hanging out with military vets and his recent venture took the cake.

So obviously Shaq did him one better. But he has more motivation than just outsmarting Chuck.

Shaq’s childhood comes full circle with Big Chicken

Anyone well-versed with Shaq-lore knows he was raised by Philip Harrison, better known as ‘Sarge.’ Shaquille O’Neal’s strong respect for the military services directly relates to his immense admiration for his (step)father. But it’s also about his childhood.

Shaq and his siblings lived on military bases in Germany and in Texas. He developed his basketball skills playing with other military kids. And the Sarge also took him to Dr J’s games to give him some inspiration.

Growing up, Lucille O’Neal stretched a commissary chicken across multiple family meals. O’Neal’s love for the humble chicken sandwich came from there. Instead of endorsing established chicken brands, Shaq instead launched Big Chicken with a menu designed after his mom’s recipes.

After naming her signature dishes – Lucille’s Mac and Cheese – after his mother, Big Chicken has a connection to Shaq’s dad too. Now we need him to visit San Diego to crack some Chuck jokes.