1851

How does one go from being an NBA superstar to a serial entrepreneur? Ask Shaquille O’Neal, basketball Hall of Famer and multi-unit, multi-brand franchise owner. After concluding his on-court career in 2011, O’Neal decided to invest his earnings into multiple entrepreneurial endeavors to complement his broadcasting, acting and music careers (we’ve all seen an Icy Hot or Gold Bond commercial featuring the big man, haven’t we?), which included diving into the world of franchise ownership.&nbsp;In addition to <a href="https://money.com/shaq-business-empire/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-nba-star-shaquille-oneals-journey-from-athlete-to-franchise-owner-and-papa-johns-board-member-2712075" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">over 150 car washes and 40 fitness centers</a>, O’Neal currently owns 17 <a href="https://auntieannesfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-nba-star-shaquille-oneals-journey-from-athlete-to-franchise-owner-and-papa-johns-board-member-2712075" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Auntie Anne’s</a> locations, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/advertising-age-krispy-kreme-fan-shaquille-oneal-is-its-newest-franchisee-6836#most-recent">an Atlanta-area Krispy Kreme location</a> and at one time was the owner of over 155 <a href="https://www.fiveguys.com/contact-us?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-nba-star-shaquille-oneals-journey-from-athlete-to-franchise-owner-and-papa-johns-board-member-2712075" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Five Guys</a> restaurants on top of his current portfolio. In the latest move to bolster his franchise acumen, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/papa-johns-announces-its-newest-board-member-shaq-2709489#most-recent">O’Neal joined the Papa John’s Board of Directors</a> in March 2019, where he’s not only invested in nine stores but has also signed a three-year endorsement deal as the brand’s newest ambassador.&nbsp;O’Neal said his career in franchise ownership took off after he bought a book that laid out the basics of owning a business. Since then, he’s been hooked. From buying and selling Krispy Kreme and Five Guys locations to owning his own restaurants in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles, O’Neal is always looking to invest in something he believes in. He’s known for only investing in brands that he personally likes, so when an opportunity to collaborate with one of his favorite pizza brands arose, he seized the opportunity.The timing was ideal for the brand, as well—<a href="https://1851franchise.com/can-shaq-really-save-the-still-struggling-papa-johns-2710673#most-recent">Shaq joined the company after Papa John’s long-drawn-out disassociation</a> from its founder, John Schnatter. O’Neal joined the brand’s Board of Directors and became a brand ambassador to help positively realign Papa John’s in the media and with its franchise system. O’Neal said he plans to continue drawing on his experience as a leader on the court to help him in both his entrepreneurial roles and new role on the Papa John's board, a skill set that has clearly proved useful thus far.

Former NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal’s Journey From Athlete to Franchise Owner and Papa John’s Board Member 

1851 Franchise

How the basketball Hall of Famer’s entrepreneurial endeavors brought Shaq to franchising, where he built up a multi-brand portfolio that eventually led him to occupy a role on the Papa John’s board.

former-nba-star-shaquille-oneals-journey-from-athlete-to-franchise-owner-and-papa-johns-board-member

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Franchisees Champion Fall Prevention To Keep Seniors Safe at Home

trublue-franchisees-champion-fall-prevention-to-keep-seniors-safe-at-home

Pet Wants

FOX Reno: Summer Pet Safety With Pet Wants of Sparks

fox-summer-pet-safety-with-pet-wants-sparks

Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime Teams Up with Viral Baseball Star Kyle “KJ” Jackson to Inspire Fitness Journeys Nationwide

workout-anytime-teams-up-with-viral-baseball-star-kyle-kj-jackson-to-inspire-fitness-journeys-nationwide

Sola Salons

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sola Salons logo

Sola Salons Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sola-salons-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Paris Baguette Canada

image of paris baguette cake and franchise decorations

What Canadian Franchisees Want to Know: Paris Baguette Profit Potential and Franchisee Support

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-profit-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Keurig Dr Pepper Splits in $18 Billion JDE Peet’s Deal, Creating Global Coffee Giant

keurig-dr-pepper-splits-in-18-billion-jde-peets-deal-creating-global-coffee-giant

McDonald’s Rolls Out Major Value Push To Win Back Customers Amid Inflation

mcdonalds-rolls-out-major-value-push-to-win-back-customers-amid-inflation

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth

restaurant-franchise-incentives-cash-royalty-holidays-fee-reductions

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

graphic image of a franchisee spotligh aman kaur of voodoo brewing

How This Trio of Friends Is Brewing Up Community With Voodoo Brewing Co. in Prosper, Texas

voodoo-brewing-franchisee-aman-kaur-prosper-texas

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Dan Ellestad and Seniors Helping Seniors logo

How This Marine Veteran Went From Military Service to Senior Care and Found His Purpose in Franchising

seniors-helping-seniors-dan-ellestad

image of 1851 Franchise usa Ninja Challenge article about djibril coulibaly and rashawna coulibaly

Long-Time Soccer Coach and Music Teacher to Bring USA Ninja Challenge Franchise to Santa Maria, California

usa-ninja-challenge-santa-maria-coulibaly

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

Former NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal’s Journey From Athlete to Franchise Owner and Papa John’s Board Member

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS