1851

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

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

image of a benjamin franklin plumber employee franchise

Top 5 Reasons To Invest in Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Right Now

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-franchise-5-reasons-to-buy

Mister Sparky Electric

image of mister sparky cars franchise authority brands

Wired for Success: 5 Powerful Reasons To Invest in a Mister Sparky Franchise Now

mister-sparky-franchise-5-reasons-to-invest

image of Mister sparky electric employee working with customer

On-Time, Every Time: How Mister Sparky Delivers the Electrical Service Homeowners Can Count On

mister-sparky-electric-service-franchise

image of mister sparky electric on time elctricians from franchise mister sparky

The Electrician You Can Count On: How Mister Sparky Delivers Power, Punctuality and Profitability

mister-sparky-franchise-power-punctuality-profitiability

image of a benjamin franklin plumber employee helping a customer

The Punctual Plumber That Wins: How Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Redefines Home-Service Reliability

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-home-service-reliability

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

McDonald’s Is the Latest Franchise To Bet Big on Beverages with 500-Store Premium Drink Test

mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Subway - John Fitzpatrick Named CEO - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as New CEO, Effective July 28

jonathan-fitzpatrick-subway-ceo-leadership-change

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

Franchise Masterclass: Building Predictability in Your Franchise Funnel

building-predictability-in-your-franchise-funnel

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

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

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

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

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

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

Why This Real Estate Broker Decided To Bring Caring Transitions to Central Texas

What Food Franchises Has Shaq Invested In?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS