A chicken restaurant concept founded in 2018 by basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is opening its first Houston storefront. The new Big Chicken location at 9660 Westheimer Rd., #250 in Woodland Square near the Galleria is the first signed lease in the 50-unit deal to bring the restaurant to Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
“Our efforts over the last several months have all culminated in this exciting moment,” said Fazil Malik, co-owner of the new Houston restaurant alongside Frank Malik and Noordin Jhaver, in a press release.
“When seeking new opportunities, we knew we needed to partner with a brand that matched the vibrant spirit of Texas, and Shaquille O’Neal’s bold, colorful Big Chicken fit the bill. We’re thrilled to be debuting our first of many restaurants in Houston,” Malik continued.
Big Chicken’s menu offers a variety of crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, and salads. Sides include Cheez-It® crusted mac n’ cheese and sweet potato waffle fries. Diners can also enjoy hand-crafted ice cream shakes, ice cream sandwiches, and the “Big Cookie.”
Big Chicken announced its franchising initiative about a year ago, and since then, more than 150 storefronts are in development across the U.S. Big Chicken currently has existing locations in Austin, New York, Nevada, and Washington state.
