According to public filings, Big Sharks Fish and Chicken plans to open at 900 Victoria Street in Bellmead. What Now Austin spoke with the owner, Mohammed Shawabkeh, who shared that the opening is targeted for late September to early November 2026.
Shawabkeh, who is 19 years old, opened his first Big Sharks location in Killeen at age 17, a second at 18, and is now working on his third. He is quick to acknowledge the reality of what he has taken on. “The restaurant business has its stressful moments,” he said. “Everyone knows restaurants aren’t easy.” The failure rate, he noted, is huge—but that hasn’t slowed him down. “I do enjoy it and feel a love for the business. If you like something, you gotta do it full force,” he told What Now Austin.
Shawabkeh grew up around restaurants. His family operated multiple restaurants in Illinois, and he spent years learning the business as an employee before deciding he wanted to build something of his own. When his brother, then in college in Texas, encouraged him to consider the state’s growing market, Shawabkeh moved. He created the Big Sharks brand himself—logo included—and built the menu around the Chicago-style food he grew up eating.
Breading, seasoning, and recipes all trace back to Chicago, giving the concept a flavor profile that he feels is a good complement to the Central Texas market. The menu delivers on that: wings, fish, seafood, catfish, smash burgers, and sandwiches, all cooked fresh to order, nothing frozen.
He chose Bellmead after having a professional study the area’s demographics and traffic patterns. The location off I-35, in a fast-growing corridor where, according to Shawabkeh, new development keeps coming, felt like the right next step. A grand opening is planned, and the team has already begun marketing the location; signs are up, a Facebook page is live, and community interest is building. “We are excited to feel that the city is really excited for us,” he said.
Separately, Shawabkeh is quietly working on a second concept—Moe’s Hot Chicken—in Killeen with a partner, though no details have been announced. His long-term ambition is to keep growing Big Sharks across Texas and beyond. But for now, Bellmead comes first. “We’re nothing without the support of the community,” he said. “I would love to thank everyone who has stepped into any of our restaurants in Killeen—and soon, Bellmead.”
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