Craveworthy Brands Adds Big Chicken

Craveworthy Brands continues to build out its portfolio. Yesterday, the company announced it has become a managing partner, investor and stakeholder of Big Chicken.

Hall of Fame basketball player Shaquille O’Neal founded Big Chicken, a fast-casual chicken brand that offers trending flavors, plus some of O’Neal’s childhood favorites. Along with the new Craveworthy investment and management role, Big Chicken is backed by O’Neal, JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group.

Josh Halpern, Big Chicken CEO, will continue to oversee the brand, working alongside Craveworthy’s CEO and Founder Gregg Majewski to drive growth at Big Chicken and across the broader Craveworthy portfolio, a release details.

Majewski says, “As investors, managing partners and leaders in restaurant operations, we’re going to fully leverage the Craveworthy team’s deep industry expertise to propel Big Chicken to new heights, all while preserving what makes the brand so unique to its loyal guests.”

Big Chicken has 40-plus locations open and more than 350 in the development pipeline, and says it’s prepped to begin U.S. and international expansion through franchising. Craveworthy features 15 brands, including Sigri Indian BBQ, taim Mediterranean Kitchen, Hot Chicken Takeover and Fresh Brothers Pizza, all of which it acquired in 2024.