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Former NBA star&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/shaquille-oneal-the-renaissance-man-of-franchising-2720841#stories">Shaquille O’Neal</a> 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.<h3><a href="https://www.bigchicken.com/franchise-information?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Chicken</a></h3>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.&nbsp;In 2022, the brand debuted its&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/shaq-owned-big-chicken-debuts-first-franchise-location-2719343#stories">first franchise location</a> 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.<h3><a href="https://www.fiveguys.com/contact-us/franchisee-form?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Five Guys</a></h3>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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/07/06/shaquille-oneal-shaq-growing-wealth-post-nba-basketball-net-worth-salary-save-invest.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=what-franchises-does-shaq-own-2720524&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CNBC</a> that although he has sold his stake, the business was “very good” to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://www.papajohns.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Papa John’s</a></h3>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;O’Neal is also the creator of Papa John’s signature&nbsp;<a href="https://www.papajohns.com/shaq/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shaq-a-Roni pizza</a>. 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/growth/finance/shaquille-oneal-papa-johns-resign-endorsement-deal/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">QSR Magazine</a>. "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."<h3><a href="https://development.focusbrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Auntie Anne’s</a></h3>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,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/video/shaquille-oneal-explains-why-sold-200713542.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=what-franchises-does-shaq-own-2720524&amp%3Bguccounter=1&amp%3Bguce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly8xODUxZnJhbmNoaXNlLmNvbS93aGF0LWZyYW5jaGlzZXMtZG9lcy1zaGFxLW93bi0yNzIwNTI0&amp%3Bguce_referrer_sig=AQAAABSrE9CmUIFUySU8CruuWnMTEQQGmBtCDpcBwJ2wH1rmuMELKw9iA-6l5VsDvu-V7fGTXvJfV0U6KkWQ5Isz5V_e3I1dNFGK7EKZ2NbkdMSVNs_98HkhdWlBzcORXZ4th16Dysc-3Y8eCNre9xzGeRpzw5zy5Vnr2S0chUSjTqq3&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20sold%20my%20Auntie%20Anne's,them%20numbers%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20added.&amp;text=If%20playback%20doesn't%20begin%20shortly%2C%20try%20restarting%20your%20device." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">he decided to sell</a> off all of his Auntie Anne’s franchises.&nbsp;<h3><a href="https://www.krispykreme.com/about?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in-2724768" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Krispy Kreme</a></h3>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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;

What Food Franchises Has Shaquille O’Neal Invested In?

What Food Franchises Has Shaq Invested In?

1851 Franchise

Want to invest like Shaq? Check out these five food franchises the basketball legend has been involved with over the years. 

what-food-franchises-has-shaq-invested-in

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

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