Shaquille O’Neal knows success isn’t a solo act. Whether it was winning NBA championships or building Big Chicken, his approach has always been the same—surround yourself with smart people, trust them to do their job, and focus on culture.
That philosophy has fueled the rapid rise of Big Chicken, with 4,700 franchise applicants eager to get in. But Shaq and CEO Josh Halpern aren’t looking for just anyone. They want the right partners—the ones who understand that building a great business takes discipline, vision, and the ability to execute at a high level. “We want to be the Harvard of franchise systems,” Shaq says.
His leadership style reflects the teams he played on—he didn’t win without great teammates, and he doesn’t run Big Chicken any differently. He trusts Halpern and his team to make the right decisions, knowing that his role is to set the vision, not micromanage the details. “I take pride in not knowing it all,” Shaq says. “I like to learn every day.”
That culture extends to every level of the business. When employees are asked what it’s like working for Shaq, they don’t say they work for him—they say they work with him. It’s a small but powerful distinction that speaks to how Big Chicken operates: like a team.
And when it comes to the food, Shaq doesn’t believe in cutting corners. “Some places have great tenders but terrible sandwiches. Others have good sandwiches but awful tenders. We’ve got both,” he says. With a menu designed for quality and consistency—and a rapidly growing customer base—Big Chicken is scaling fast, but always with the right foundation. Want to hear the full story? Check out the full interview on Restaurant Influencers
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