The Mavs territory is facing a Big Chicken invasion. Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-growing, fast-casual dining concept has locked its first location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The first Big Chicken Shaq restaurant in North Texas is slated to open in spring 2024. At least 300 locations are in development nationwide and most of them have set their opening dates in 2024. 50 of those are earmarked in Texas alone.

The Dallas restaurant will be located at 9755 North Fwy, in the Victory Shops at Heritage Trace. This restaurant at the northwest corner of 1-35W and Heritage Trace Parkway in the Alliance area is one of 50 units in development in the Lone Star state alone. O’Neal aspires for national domination through Big Chicken Shaq and has been rapidly expanding in Texas which is special to him for many reasons.

Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken to open first DFW location in Fort Worth: Celebrity chicken is winging into Dallas-Fort Worth: Big Chicken, the fried chicken sandwich concept founded by basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, has settled on its first…

— Launch Dog Media (@launchdogmedia) December 26, 2023

In April 2023, Big Chicken’s official press statement announced it is making a milestone 50-unit expansion in the four largest Texas markets of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. The other partners joining the parent company of JRS Hospitality are experienced in operating multiple units of restaurants, convenience stores and other franchise businesses.

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The Houston opening in 2023 drew a massive crowd. It caused such a safety issue, the fire marshall had to shut it down early. Several restaurants have opened in Austin and Richmond recently and the Lubbock unit will open soon.

Big Chicken is an ode to Shaq’s favorite childhood meals with many recipes inspired by his mom, Lucille. Apart from various nods to his career in the menu, the concept is all about family. And Texas is like home to the O’Neals.

Texas’ Big Chicken draw is bigger

While Atlanta keeps Shaq during the NBA season and he travels all round the year, Dallas is like a second home to the TNT analyst. He and his mom are active in the community there with their philanthropy. The diehard Dallas Cowboys fan also added a new Texas mansion to his real estate portfolio.

Most of his kids reside in Houston too. While Shaqir goes to Texas Southern University, Amirah and Me’Arah have been living with their mom, Shaq’s ex-wife Shaunie Henderson in H-Town.

His eldest daughter, Taahirah O’Neal also resides in Houston. She utilized the Richmond location of Big Chicken to host a Friendsgiving event this year. Her event benefited a nonprofit in Fort Bend County.

Texas is special to O’Neal’s family and the new addition to the Big Chicken empire is like homecoming to Shaq.