Big Chicken, the fast-casual restaurant chain backed by NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, is spicing up the Houston food scene with its newest location inside the Loop at 107 Yale St in Washington Heights; this store is the first in the heart of Houston—serving up a variety of Shaq's childhood-inspired fried chicken sandwiches. According to Chron, the grand opening was on Sunday, and it marks the third Big Chicken outlet in Houston, following two others that opened last summer.
Patrons at the new Washington Heights location can expect the same tasty menu found at other locations, including favorites like the mac and cheese topped Ultimate chicken sandwich, the Shaq Attack with pepper jack cheese and jalapeño slaw, and a range of shakes and sides, but they'll also have access to a full-service bar and patio. Despite Hurricane Beryl's recent sweep through Houston, a spokesperson for the restaurant confirmed in an interview with Houston Chronicle that the store's opening went as scheduled and Shaq fans were ready for it, with lines seen around the corner as they were before. Frank Malik, who oversees the Houston franchises alongside Noordin Jhaver and Fazil Malik, emphasized his team's strategic approach which has, up to this moment, been signing franchise agreements and looking to expand the Big Chicken footprint with over 50 locations planned in Texas alone.
Shaq fans might remember his jersey number, 34—during the Washington Heights location's grand opening event, the first 34 customers snagged a year's worth of free Big Chicken food and drinks, capping at $10 weekly. This nod to O'Neal's storied basketball career adds a personal touch to the franchise that's rapidly growing, not just in Houston but globally, with over 350 locations in development, as mentioned by Chron.
The Big Chicken brand has solid backing with JRS Hospitality and the multimedia juggernaut Authentic Brands Group contributing expertise in food and branding—a synergy Frank Malik says is propelling the franchise's success, which came to light in a Houston Chronicle interview. Moreover, Houstonians' appetite for varied dining options is evident with other chains like P. Terry’s Burger Stand, Portillo's, and Seafood City Supermarket also staking claim in the booming market this year alone, complementing the arena of choices that the Big Chicken franchise aims to satisfy with its comforting and indulgent takes on fried chicken.
