Shaquille-O’Neal Owned Big Chicken Coming Soon to the Intermountain Region

Big Chicken announced today that the accomplished Arizona-based duo and long-standing business partners, Steve Christensen and Reid Richards, have inked another agreement with Big Chicken to debut the brand in both Utah and Idaho.

“As a BYU alumnus, I have strong roots in Utah,” said Christensen. “Idaho is also seeing major growth and development.

While formerly on opposing sides of the age-old rivalry between Brigham Young University and University of Utah, Christensen and Richards have since built a 13-year successful partnership owning and operating restaurants together. Their portfolio includes multi-unit ownership of 15 Five Guys locations in Western New York and current franchise owners of the breakthrough brunch restaurant concept Another Broken Egg Cafe in Gilbert, Arizona. Prior to joining forces, Christensen spent 25 years professionally in international business development across three continents while Richards amassed three decades of restaurant management experience with brands such as Taco Bell and Dunkin’ Donuts.

The duo also recently announced their agreement to open 12 Big Chicken locations.

“When we first met Steve and Reid, it was clear that they shared our vision for Big Chicken and were positioned to grow the brand into exciting markets like Idaho and Utah,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken.