What Food Franchises Has Shaq Invested In?

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal is estimated to have a net worth of over $400 million, and part of that net worth comes from franchising.

Let’s take a look at all the food franchises that the iconic athlete currently or previously owned.

Big Chicken

Not only is O’Neal a franchisee, but he has also explored the other side of franchise ownership by becoming a franchisor. In 2018, he founded chicken sandwich brand Big Chicken, backed by dream-team partners JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group. In 2021, he officially became a franchisor after launching the Big Chicken franchise concept. 

In 2022, the brand debuted its first franchise location in Dayton, Ohio. O’Neal has been involved in all aspects of building out the Big Chicken franchise, from naming the chicken sandwiches after people he admires, like the “Charles Barkley,” to the sourcing of the supply chain.

Five Guys

Five Guys was the basketball legend’s first big franchise investment. O’Neal first became involved with the company in 2008 when he bought a location in Atlanta, eventually opening dozens more around the U.S. At one point in time, he even owned 155 locations (around 10%) of the burger franchise’s entire portfolio. In 2018, the athlete told CNBC that although he has sold his stake, the business was “very good” to him.  

Papa John’s

O’Neal owns nine Papa John’s locations, all in or around the Atlanta area. Additionally, he is a brand ambassador for the franchise and has been on the company’s board of directors since 2019.  

O’Neal is also the creator of Papa John’s signature Shaq-a-Roni pizza. The brand teamed up with O’Neal to ensure that $1 from every Shaq-a-Roni sold is donated to Papa Johns Foundation.

"Shaq isn’t just another spokesperson for us," Papa John’s CEO Rob Lynch told QSR Magazine. "He’s a franchisee. He has ownership in the brand. He’s a board member. It was about how do we put Shaq into a situation where all of the great things he brings to the table can be married with all of the great things we’re trying and aspiring to be."

Auntie Anne’s

O’Neal used to own 17 Auntie Anne’s pretzel restaurants in Michigan and New York. The mall classic represented a significant investment for O’Neal at around $300K per location. However, in October 2022, he decided to sell off all of his Auntie Anne’s franchises. 

Krispy Kreme

A nostalgic favorite, O’Neal fell in love with donut franchise Krispy Kreme during his college days. He set a goal to own a Krispy Kreme franchise and managed to get his hands on one in Atlanta that has occupied its place on Ponce de Leon Avenue for around 60 years. 

From founding his own franchise to making impactful investments in well-known brands, it’s clear that O’Neal has succeeded at making his mark off the court.