Shaquille O’Neal-Owned Big Chicken Signs Franchise Deal to Expand into Omaha Market

The fast-casual chicken concept founded by Shaquille O’Neal, announced today that it has signed a two-unit development agreement with Tom and Zak Davis, father and son respectively. The industry veterans, who are multi-unit Panera Bread, Scooter’s Coffee and Firehouse Subs franchisees, are the first to bring Big Chicken to their home state.

“Our experience has provided us a perspective on Big Chicken that we feel fantastic about.” said Tom, who began building his multi-unit, multi-brand restaurant franchise business more than 13 years ago. “There are a lot of parallels for us with Big Chicken and its leadership team. We have a deep appreciation for running great restaurants, and Big Chicken’s team is equal to the match.”

With Tom and Zak’s extensive experience in operating fast-casual and QSR restaurant brands like Panera Bread, Firehouse Subs, and Scooter’s Coffee, the pair join the Big Chicken franchise family with strong operations skillsets.

“I’ve had the opportunity to have known Tom and Zak for almost ten years and they are a tremendous duo. They have a spirit to serve their community that is contagious and I’m excited to have them join the Big Chicken family. With their experience as multi-brand and multi-unit franchise operators, they know the Omaha restaurant scene inside and out and were exactly who we were looking for to introduce the brand to Nebraska,” said Sam Stanovich, Senior Vice President of Franchise Leadership for Big Chicken.