NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal devoted over 19 years to the NBA. He has used the wealth accumulated from the same to invest in various business ventures. While some fans may not be aware of the 4x NBA champion’s investments in brands like Icy Hot and Forever 21, they are well acquainted with his restaurant chain, which is present in over 150 locations across the country. The ‘Big Chicken’ food chain is growing rapidly, and it doesn’t seem like the $400 million worth NBA legend plans on stopping anytime soon.

Barely a few weeks after he made a massive investment in the same, Shaq’s expansion plans are making the rounds yet again.

Shaquille O’Neal expands his ‘Big Chicken’ franchise in different corners of America

The official Instagram handle of ‘Miami News Times’ broke the news that Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken is planning to “plant its flag” in Miami sometime this year. The post described the restaurant as a “chicken centric, fast-casual concept”. It also highlighted Shaq’s previous connection with the city, having won a championship with the Miami Heat.

At the same time, ABC News broke the headlines that Big Chicken is also looking to make its mark in the Mid-Michigan area. According to a franchise agreement that was announced on Thursday, the fast-food chain is planning to open 20 locations in Eastern Michigan. If the above developments weren’t enough, then don’t fret, because there is more to come.

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The Houston Chronicle recently highlighted that the Los Angeles Lakers icon has opened the first Big Chicken restaurant in Houston, the most populous city in Texas. The news report also states that Shaq has big plans for a Texas takeover. He wants his fast food crown jewel to be a part of more than 50 locations in the Greater Houston area. This will be in addition to other cities in Texas, including Dallas, San Antonio and Austin.

If Shaq continues to go down the road of expansion in the southern state, then he will have to compete with the other celebrity-owned fast food franchises like ‘Bun B’s Trill Burgers’ and ‘Tiger Woods’ PopStroke’.

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The expansions are taking place after news broke that Shaq invested over $400 million into the restaurant franchise. All as part of a nationwide rollout strategy to bring Big Chicken to every corner of America.

Shaq’s family and close friends are the inspiration behind the restaurant’s food

With the new restaurants opening up in Texas, Michigan, and Miami, Shaq’s renowned franchise would be responsible for catering fast food to over 10 million people. Big Chicken is known for selling a mix of chicken sandwiches and salads. It is the same type of food that the franchise claims to have been Shaq’s “home-cooked childhood favorites” while growing up.

From Steak fries and Shakes to Giant Cookies, each item is made to reflect the type of food that the legend himself used to consume in his early days. And it’s not just the type of food. The way that they have been prepared and arranged falls in line with the way that the former player’s mother, Lucille O’Neal, used to make mouth-watering food for her son.

From “Uncle Jerome’s Hot Chicken” to “Lucille’s Mac and Cheese” many food items on the menu have been named after the people who raised Shaq and helped him become the man he is today. Another food item that reminds people of Shaq’s personality is the “Charles Barkley Sandwich”, named after his former rival and current TNT co-host.

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With the way things are going, it won’t be long before people around the world will be enjoying a bite of the same type of food that enriched the taste buds of the NBA legend.