Advertising Age: Krispy Kreme Fan Shaquille O’Neal is its Newest Franchisee

After dunking basketballs for many years, Shaquille O’Neal is ready to start dunking doughnuts. As a big fan of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, the retired NBA superstar is ready to cash in on its success. According to a recent Advertising Age article, Shaquille O’Neal is the newest Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchisee in Atlanta and a global spokesperson for the brand.

"In addition to Shaquille's status as a sports and entertainment icon and businessman, he is known for spreading joy, which aligns with our positioning and mission," Krispy Kreme President and CEO Tony Thompson said in a statement. "We are confident this partnership will have a big impact for us in Atlanta and around the world."

While this is not O’Neal’s first time getting involved the food industry, he joins fellow basketball players Michael Jordan and LeBron James in the restaurant business. O’Neal has previously worked with McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King years ago.

Krispy Kreme is already getting Shaq involved with its Halloween promotion on social media asking fans to post #ShaqorTreat to enter to win prizes autographed by the star.