Fast Casual Chicken Concept Signs Multi-Unit Agreement to Bring First Storefront Locations to Massachusetts

BOSTON – It’s time for tipoff as a hit chicken restaurant is set to enter Boston.

Big Chicken, the star-powered fast casual chicken concept founded by legendary Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, announced today that local business partners Paul Bains and Ryan Corcoran have signed a franchise agreement to bring six locations to the Greater Boston area.

“Ryan and I were thoroughly impressed with the professionalism and timeliness of the Big Chicken team from the get-go,” said Bains. “We’ve been business partners for several years, and only recently began researching franchise opportunities. When we came across Big Chicken, we knew that we wanted to get in on the booming chicken segment and had looked into several concepts. I spoke with the corporate team and then had the opportunity to try the brand’s BIG sandwiches in Vegas. From there, the decision was made. We’re thrilled to share that we’re bringing BIG flavor, BIG food and BIG fun to Greater Boston!”

In addition to his full-time career as an engineer, Bains brings extensive experience in business management and the restaurant industry to the table for Big Chicken, handling the location’s day-to-day operations. He first acquired a franchise concept in October of 2022 with a well-known pizza brand, where he instantaneously grew business and increased store revenues by 60% to date. Likewise, Corcoran has a passion for real estate development and found success in the field at the young age of 21. He currently serves as the founder and CEO of an expansive real estate investment company in New England. Now at the age of 28 with stock in more than 250 units, his focus in his new venture with Big Chicken will be to grow and scale the brand in Greater Boston while handling the site selection aspect of the business.

“Paul and Ryan are an ambitious duo with proven success in their respective fields of expertise,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. “We’re lucky to add them to our team of incredible franchisees and look forward to supporting them as we build Big Chicken’s presence in Boston. Let’s GROW!”

The newest franchise agreement in the Greater Boston area will add to the 250-plus locations in development nationwide for the brand. Big Chicken currently has locations open in Las Vegas (Paradise Road and Tropicana Ave.); Los Angeles (Glendale and Valencia); Seattle; Houston; Gilbert, Arizona; and in the Dayton, Ohio region, as well as in metro-New York’s UBS Arena, The Moody Center in Austin, ASU’s Mullett Arena, Palm Springs’ Acrisure Arena, St. Louis’s Busch Stadium, Kansas City International Airport and on three Carnival Cruise ships. 

Along with O’Neal, the championship pedigree behind Big Chicken includes a pair of powerful ownership group partners, including:

• Authentic Brands (ABG), a brand development, marketing and entertainment company, which owns a portfolio of iconic and world-renowned brands including Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley and Reebok.
• JRS Hospitality, Las Vegas’ leading restaurant group with a reputation for hosting top tier parties, private dining and corporate gatherings at its iconic venues such as Cabo Wabo, Alexxa’s, and Beer Park. 

The franchise investment has been designed to align with successful, multi-unit investors who want to become part of Shaquille’s dream team. Restaurant experience — whether traditional or not — is preferred, but not required. With significant interest from new owners, franchise investors will have the advantage to join a brand on the cusp of worldwide expansion.

To learn more about the Big Chicken franchise opportunity, visit www.bigchicken.com/franchise-information. 

About Big Chicken

Founded in 2018, Big Chicken is backed by a dream team of partners; JRS Hospitality, an accomplished Las Vegas-based ownership group; Authentic Brands Group, a multi-national, multi-billion-dollar brand development, marketing and entertainment company; and Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal. Big Chicken fuses O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with today’s trending flavors. From crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders to Cheez-It® crusted mac n’ cheese and hand-crafted ice cream shakes, each menu item tells a story all while offering guests an inside look into the life and personality of Shaquille O’Neal. With eight traditional locations currently open and several in the development pipeline, Big Chicken is prepped to begin U.S. and international expansion through franchising.

To learn more about Big Chicken, visit www.bigchicken.com.

About Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the world’s most successful athlete-turned-businessmen, whose accomplishments both on and off the court have translated into a highly sought-after consumer brand. As an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and brand ambassador, Shaquille O’Neal’s signature “Business of Fun” mantra resonates throughout each of his countless endeavors.

The 15-time NBA All-Star’s unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer.  Currently, O’Neal is an analyst on TNT’s Emmy Award-winning “Inside the NBA.”

O’Neal, who has a PhD in Leadership and Education, established The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation which provides resources for underserved youth. He also gives back through a number of annual philanthropic programs including Shaq to School, Shaqsgiving, and Shaq a Claus.

The launch of his Las Vegas eatery Big Chicken has further elevated Shaquille’s status as he has positioned himself as a successful restaurateur. The brand currently has sites open in Las Vegas, Glendale, CA, two Carnival Cruise Ships (Mardi Gras and Radiance), Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, UBS Arena in New York with many more locations under development.

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