Standing tall at 7-foot-1, basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is elevating his Big Chicken brand by making its way into the Baltimore region.
Locals in Baltimore have already been savoring Shaq’s chicken sandwiches and tenders while attending events at CFG Bank Arena.
However, they will soon have the opportunity to enjoy these delicious offerings without the need for a concert, as Big Chicken is set to open its first standalone restaurant in Maryland this weekend at The Villages at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills.
Situated at 1407 South Main Chapel Way, the restaurant will host a grand opening event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, August 8.
The first 100 patrons will be rewarded with three free tenders and four signature dipping sauces to commemorate Shaq’s iconic No. 34 jersey. Other attendees can purchase the deal for just $5.
The grand opening festivities will also include giveaways, entertainment, and additional surprises for guests to enjoy.
Big Chicken’s menu boasts a wide range of chicken sandwiches, including The Ultimate, which features mac n’ cheese and crispy onion rings, as well as The Shaq Attack, generously topped with chipotle BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, and cole slaw. The restaurant also offers Shaq Snacks, which consist of grilled or crispy chicken served on garlic toast with a variety of toppings and sauces, along with chicken tenders, boneless chicken bites referred to as Dunks, milkshakes, and more.
In addition to its standard offerings, Big Chicken plans to introduce limited-time dips each month, starting with their latest creation: Root Beer BBQ.
With more than 40 locations already operating and many more in the works across North America, Big Chicken is truly on the rise.
“I instantly connected with Big Chicken’s larger-than-life personality and its mission to bring people together through BIG Flavor,” stated Pratik Patel, the operator of the new Big Chicken location in Anne Arundel County. “Gambrills is a wonderful community, and it is the perfect place to introduce something new that resonates with its vibrant energy. We are eager to serve BIG Smiles to those experiencing Big Chicken for the first time outside of the arena.”
Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern revealed that the company set its sights on Maryland after witnessing a strong following among visitors of Baltimore’s arena.
“After our launch at CFG Bank Arena, we experienced firsthand the enthusiasm Maryland has for this brand,” commented Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. “Bringing Big Chicken to Gambrills with a partner like Pratik, who has extensive local knowledge and expertise in running a successful restaurant, is essential to our growth. It’s about finding the right location, the right partner, and, of course, delivering an abundance of BIG Flavor.”
