1851 Franchise’s Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises of 2026: Big Chicken

• Brand: Big Chicken
• Number of Units: 27 (with another 5 in development)
• Initial Investment Range: $681,500 - $1,525,500
• ROI Potential: Not publicly available
• Units Sold Last Year: Not publicly available

Big Chicken has officially earned a place on 1851 Franchise’s 2026 Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises list — a recognition that highlights brands shaping the future of franchising through innovation, momentum and strong demand. As interest from franchisees continues to climb, Big Chicken is entering a pivotal phase of expansion.

History and Origin Story

Big Chicken traces its roots to Las Vegas, where Shaquille O’Neal and his partners debuted the concept in 2018, building it around the kind of comfort-food cravings O’Neal grew up with — then dialing it up with bolder, trend-forward flavors and a personality-driven menu that nods to his life and inner circle. As the concept gained traction, JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group joined the ownership team, adding the kind of operational and brand support needed to grow beyond Las Vegas. Big Chicken opened franchising in late 2021 and has leaned on that model to drive expansion across the United States and into international markets.

Why the Franchise Stands Out

What separates Big Chicken in a crowded chicken category is the combination of “big food” product decisions and “big fun” brand decisions that are hard to copy at scale. The menu has been built to feel differentiated — including larger chicken portions than many competitors, a focus on hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken, and an in-store breading-and-fry process supported by proprietary breading — while the guest experience leans into O’Neal’s presence without turning into a gimmick. That approach shows up in the franchise model, too. Owners step into a system built around strong marketing, consistent brand creative and practical support that starts before opening and continues through training and on-site launch help.

System Growth and 2026 Momentum

In 2025, Big Chicken’s growth story was as much about infrastructure as it was about footprints. In March, Craveworthy Brands became a managing partner and investor, taking on a deeper role across operations, training, supply chain, culinary development, and customer service — a move designed to help the brand scale without losing execution. At the time, Big Chicken said it had more than 40 locations open with more than 350 restaurants in the development pipeline. Later in the year, Big Chicken opened its first Canada location in Hamilton, Ontario, and said additional Greater Toronto Area restaurants are planned for 2026.

Why Now Is the Moment for New Franchisees

The investment case right now is built around timing: Big Chicken is still early enough to have a meaningful territory runway, but no longer early-stage in the ways that create avoidable chaos. The brand is pairing star-driven consumer awareness with a deeper operating bench, and Craveworthy’s platform support is specifically aimed at tightening the day-to-day levers that matter as units spread — training, supply chain discipline and repeatable restaurant operations. For operators who want a growth-oriented concept with multiple format options, Big Chicken’s mix of traditional restaurants and venue-based placements can also create more paths to market entry than a one-format system.

Looking Ahead

Looking to 2026 and beyond, Big Chicken is signaling a wider international and multi-format expansion strategy, with franchising at the center. The brand expects additional Canadian units to come online in 2026, including brick-and-mortar restaurants, and it has pointed to Honduras as another market slated for brick-and-mortar development next year. Longer term, leadership has framed the growth plan around expanding across major metros while continuing to leverage live-entertainment venues as a market-entry wedge — a model that has already helped it establish nontraditional visibility as it builds toward broader restaurant density.

For franchisees looking at fast-casual with room to run, Big Chicken is offering a blend that is tough to ignore: a brand with built-in awareness, a menu that stands out in a crowded category and an operating platform that has been built to support scale. With new markets coming online and a development pipeline that signals sustained demand, the concept is moving into 2026 with momentum and a clear focus on expanding the footprint while keeping execution tight.

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month for 1851 Franchise's full Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises series to explore the other innovative brands making waves in the industry.