Big Chicken, the rapidly-expanding fast-casual chicken concept from Shaquille O’Neal, recently unveiled a franchise agreement that would bring three new locations to Greater Memphis and Northern Mississippi.
Franchisee Concept 2 Completion Hospitality is made up of varied restaurateurs and entrepreneurs including Las Vegas Councilman Cedric Crear (also a Partner in Big Chicken), Kenneth Crear, Cory Mason, Christopher Goss, and Alexander Wertheim of Spacio Design Build.
“Beyond the celebrity endorsement by Shaquille O’Neal, Big Chicken boasts an extraordinary charm that’s truly unique. Having savored an array of their BIG flavors at various Big Chicken restaurants, I can confidently vouch for the consistently exceptional quality and flavor,” Goss, who was most recently COO of Cold Beer Entertainment Group, told QSR Magazine. “The choice to introduce this concept to Memphis was a no-brainer, we’re thrilled to be a part of the brand’s dynamic expansion, especially given that we have strong ties in the area. Currently, our primary goal is securing premium real estate to bring BIG fun back to our roots in Southwest Tennessee.”
Locations and timelines for the planned Southwest Tennessee outposts were not disclosed but the new restaurants will push Big Chicken well into a 300-plus location brand nationwide, according to QSR.
“The team at Concept 2 Completion Hospitality shares our core value of providing our guests with a dining experience that has BIG fun at its heart,” Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern said. “Our leadership team recognizes the importance of further engaging with team members across our network of locations and showing them opportunities to develop their careers at Big Chicken. This is an initiative that I know resonates with the Concept 2 Completion team as well, and that’s part of the reason why we can’t wait to see them expand the brand’s presence in the Greater Memphis Metro area!”
