Shaq's Big Chicken Hits a Snag in Texas

Shaquille O'Neal's restaurant chain, Big Chicken, is facing a setback in Houston. One of its locations has closed down after just a year, according to real estate reports. This comes as a surprise, considering the chain's earlier success in Texas. The Houston location, which opened in July 2024, was quite popular. Shaquille O'Neal even attended the grand opening. However, things seemed to have taken a turn for the worse. The closure of the Big Chicken location in Westheimer & Gessner is a significant event. It's the first of its kind in the recent chicken restaurant boom. The restaurant was a full-size 3, 800 sq. ft. establishment with bar service. Opening a Big Chicken franchise can cost anywhere between $680, 000 to $1. 5 million, including the franchise fee of $40, 000. Big Chicken has been successful in Texas, with several locations run by experienced franchisees. The chain has also expanded to other cities like Fort Worth and Lubbock. Despite the competitive food scene in Texas, Big Chicken was doing well. It was even considered a model for expansion into other states like Michigan. However, the recent closure has raised questions. If the closure is permanent, the reasons behind it are yet to be known. This isn't the only challenge Shaq is facing. His podcasting home, Better Collective, recently announced layoffs. This has left fans wondering about the future of his podcasts. Additionally, there's uncertainty about his role at TNT with the NBA's future in question after 2025. Shaq hasn't commented on these issues yet. It's unclear how he and his team will navigate these challenges. But one thing is certain, these setbacks are a reality check for his big plans.