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Shaq expands Big Chicken, has location in Islanders $1.5 billion arena

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Shaquille O’Neal

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Shaquille O’Neal was once the owner of the most valuable contract ever signed in sports history, and then went on win four NBA championships. Shaq now has his own business: Chicken sandwiches  

O’Neal was also inducted into 2016’s NBA Hall of Fame as co-owner of the restaurant business called Big ChickenThe company launched the first store in Las Vegas three years ago. A second location opened last year. Glendale, California.

O’Neal is now focused on the sports arenas. This type of venue is what he understands the most.

Big Chicken has opened an office at Climate Pledge Arena Seattle. This is where you will find the Kraken’s new National Hockey League team. O’Neal also visited New York on Thursday to take a look at the city. UBS ArenaThe new home for the NHL’s New York Islanders, which is worth $1.5 billion

Big Chicken will offer fried chicken sandwiches at UBS Arena, during NHL games as well as other events. This Arena, which is behind the Belmont Stakes Track, will be hosting its inaugural regular-season match on Nov. 20, when Calgary Flames play the Islanders.

O’Neal smiled into one the local television cameras as he called Section 206, referring to the section where Big Chicken is located. This refers to the area where Big Chicken can be found in the arena.

He said, “This is my routine,” just moments before the television cameras left. “Fried chicken, cheese, pickles, and hot sauce.”

O’Neal founded Big Chicken along with Matt Silverman. agent Perry Rogers. This isn’t O’Neal’s first venture into the food business. O’Neal has several Papa John’s restaurants and appears in commercials for the restaurant chain. O’Neal joined the company’s board in 2019.

O’Neal’s task here is quite different, as he has to start the company from scratch.

The New York Islanders will call UBS Arena home.

Source: New York Islanders/UBS Arena

O’Neal joined Jon Ledecky, co-owner of the Islanders, at UBS Arena Thursday. They took pictures with service personnel to honor Veterans Day. After that, O’Neal was joined by Jon Ledecky (Islands co-owner) for a private viewing of a chef making items on Big Chicken’s menu. O’Neal made fun of his ignorance about hockey’s rules and said that he still watches NHL games.

One of the Big Chicken Sandwiches menuUncle Jerome is the name of O’Neal’s uncle. Charles Barkley is another name, a nod to O’Neal’s former NBA player and broadcast partner on “Inside the NBA”. Barkley’s nameake sandwich includes mac-and cheese with chicken on top, as well crispy onions and “Shaq” sauce.

Big Chicken includes the MDE. It stands for most dominating ever and it is intended to be used as a description of O’Neal’s center career, particularly for the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal has been first-team all NBA seven times, finals most valuable three times.

O’Neal arrived in Los Angeles from Orlando on June 16, 1996. The Lakers quickly recognized his dominance. O’Neal was signed to a seven year contract by the team. $120 million deal. The Lakers were the wealthiest sports team at that time and it set the scene for their resurgence.

O’Neal led three consecutive championships for the Lakers from 2000-2002. He also won the fourth title in Miami with the Heat in 2004. O’Neal finished his career with fifteen All-Star Game appearances, one MVP trophy and 15 All-Star Game appearances. O’Neal received the honor of being named as one of the Most Admired Players in American Football last month. greatest 75 players everThe NBA celebrates its 75th season.

Shaquille O’Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2004 NBA Playoffs

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Portfolio of vast business opportunities

O’Neal is now over $280 millionHis playing career included the following: ForbesHis total earnings are estimated to exceed $700 million, which includes his non-court activities.

O’Neal wager early on GoogleAnd AppleBranded sneakers are available at WalmartA clothing brand at JCPenneyHe also launched a line of men’s jewellery. An equity investment was also taken by him in alkaline waterThis year, be a company

His role as a strategic consultant has been invaluable. Wynn ResortsThe’sports gambling unit WynnBET. Due to NBA regulations, he was required to surrender his minor stake in Sacramento Kings.

O’Neal’s greatest plays after the NBA was over were his restaurant ventures. CNBC spoke with him that opening quick-service restaurants (QSRs), has been his passion ever since he was at Louisiana State University. O’Neal referred to the “The dummies’ guide to starting your business” book as his inspiration.

O’Neal with his Big Chicken Team in May hired Josh HalpernAn ex-executive at Anheuser-Busch InBevAs CEO.

Halpern explained that some things are done differently. Halpern said that they used high-end chickens, which are antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and free from cages. “We’re all about getting more value for our money.”

Shaquille O’Neal, NBA star and Carnival Cruise Line’s Chief Fun Officer, gives guests a taste of his highly-anticipated dishes that will be offered at sea as part of Big Chicken at Mardi Gras’ Summer Landing zone during Carnival Cruise Line’s NYC Cruise Into Summer Event To Celebrate The Arrival Of Mardi Gras In 2020 at Pier 59 on June 18, 2019 in New York City.

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Halpern explained that Big Chicken would utilize so-called ghost chefs to increase distribution. It will be able to place items on its menu along with food from other restaurants, so the consumer can order as many different dishes as they like.

Big Chicken has teamed up with Ghost Kitchen BrandsIt will include items from digital menus that are displayed in front of large chain stores. One is already inside. Walmart in Rochester, New York.

Halpern explained that this strategy allowed Big Chicken to enter “some neighborhoods and places in the U.S.” that might not have been early adopters. According to Halpern, the Rockport, New York branch will be open in the near future.

Halpern stated that Big Chicken began accepting franchise applications earlier in the year. It costs between $450,000 and $1.4million. The franchise fee is $40,000 and includes 5% and 2% respectively for local and national marketing.

O’Neal has a good understanding of the franchise model based on his experiences with Papa John’s.

Halpern stated, “He said to me that you better not hurt franchisees because I’m a franchisor, and then you would be hurting me.” “He meant that 100%.”

Big Chicken sandwiches are also available at other locations. Carnival cruise. Carnival’s Chairman Micky Arison is also the owner of Miami Heat. The Heat won the first NBA title with O’Neal as the center.

Shaquille O’Neal

Scott Mlyn | CNBC

Ex-NBA players have found restaurant franchising an appealing investment. Magic Johnson was the owner of over 100. StarbucksT.G.I. Fridays Restaurants and More 20 Burger Kings In his portfolio.

Junior Bridgeman, a former NBA player bought many Chili’s and Wendy’s restaurants before they were sold for $400,000,000 in 2016. Theo Ratliff, a former Philadelphia 76ers player and center, teamed up with Corlex Capital last February to search for athletes. want to invest $100,000QSRs. 

Ratliff said to CNBC, “It’s just like investing in stocks.” It should grow. When you are ready to let it go, sell the stock or continue it and keep the remainder. It’s an amazing opportunity.

Halpern stated that QSRs give you the opportunity to make wealth for many people.

O’Neal has made many other leaps into the restaurant world, including Big Chicken. Shaquille’s was his restaurant located in L.A. Live. It is an entertainment center near the Staples Center where the Lakers are played. O’Neal closed his business after Covid-19 was discovered and the traffic dried up. Shaquille’s. He stated that the $90,000.00 monthly lease was not worth it.

O’Neal said, “And I wasn’t receiving a PPP Loan,” referring to the Small Business Administration’s pay protection program. So, we will look into reopening it one day.

Atlanta’s officials met in February suspected arsonThe historic fire that erupted in the city. Krispy KremeO’Neal bought the franchise in 2016 CNBC reported that O’Neal approved the new design of his doughnut shop in 2016 and hopes to open it again by 2022.

O’Neal stated, “Being an Olympic athlete you need to be able to adapt on the fly.” It’s funny how a guy can practice one movement and then abandon it. [players]Don’t know where to start. “You must be able adjust.”

O’Neal’s Papa John’s involvement may be his highest-profile job in the sector. O’Neal was appointed to the Papa John’s board of directors in 2019, following the resignation of John Schnatter, the former CEO. racially-disparaging commentsThat he did publicly.

“Another hard decision.”

O’Neal’s old team, the Phoenix Suns is now in a similar situation.

An earlier version of this month featured an ESPN articleRobert Sarver, the Suns’ owner, was accused of making racist and misogynistic remarks during his 17 year tenure as franchise president. Sarver denied all charges and the NBA opened. an investigation into the matter.

“I’m not a bandwagon jumper – I’ve had interactions with the man 10 times, and I didn’t see any of that,” O’Neal said. Employees can make allegations that are this serious, so there must be an investigation.

This issue has been a hot topic in the NBA for seven years, after Donald Sterling, former owner of L.A. Clippers sold his team. Audio recordings showed Sterling making racist remarks.

O’Neal stated that if the accusations are true Adam Silver would need to take a tough decision about Sarver. Silver is the NBA commissioner from 2014.

Shaquille O’Neal performs as DJ Diesel at The SHAQ Bowl for Super Bowl LV on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.

Gerardo Mora | Getty Images

O’Neal’s most important quality as a businessman was his ability to make people laugh. O’Neal caused laughter in the UBS Arena camera crew by making fun of the chef who made the samples.

O’Neal credits Lucille his mother as being the motivator behind his approach.

He said, “I am just trying to keep people happy.” This is my mission. She is just asking me to follow her lead and accomplish all she wants. “I have to make people happy.”

Chickfil-A, Popeyes and Popeyes are competing to be the best chicken sandwiches in town. McDonald’sOther fast-food restaurants promote their offerings.

O’Neal responded, “absolutely” when asked whether he would like to be able to compete against Popeyes. He then added, “And we don’t run out of chicken – ever,” a jab at Popeyes, which ran out in 2019 amid a social media swarm.

O’Neal had to leave the event in order to board a plane, so he was asked which restaurant was his favorite.

He said, “I never think about it.” “What makes me most proud is giving my mom whatever she wants.”

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