Dive Brief:
- Craveworthy Brands has become a managing partner, investor and stakeholder in Big Chicken, a fast casual chicken brand founded by Shaquille O’Neal in 2018, the company said Monday in a press release. Big Chicken is also backed by O’Neal, JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group.
- Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern will remain at the helm of the brand and work with Craveworthy Brands CEO and Founder Gregg Majewski.
- Craveworthy aims to provide long-term growth and enhance the brand’s distinctive guest experience, the companies said.
Dive Insight:
Craveworthy, which has over a dozen concepts in its portfolio, has been rapidly picking up restaurants over the past few years. Prior to this investment, it bought Fresh Brothers Pizza, Dirty Dough, Hot Chicken Takeover and Taim Mediterranean Kitchen. The platform has grown to nearly 200 locations since it was founded in 2023, when it had 19 locations.
"This one-of-a-kind opportunity truly embodies the mission behind why I founded Craveworthy—to build a full-stack platform that aligns with top brands like Big Chicken and infuses broad-reaching support through proven systems and support to thrive in the evolving restaurant industry," said Majewski.
Alongside current investors, Craveworthy will help manage and advise across various areas, including operations, training, supply chain management, culinary development and customer service, according to the press release. Big Chicken will retain its brand identity.
Bringing the two companies together will aid Big Chicken in its commitment to “innovation and streamlined processes,” the press release said. The partnership will also use shared assets to improve market positions and grow via franchising.
Big Chicken currently has 40 units open with over 350 units in development. Its menu includes chicken sandwiches and tenders as well as Lucille’s Mac N’ Cheese, shakes and wings.
“We're ready to take the next step in shaping Big Chicken's bright future—expanding the brand's reach, elevating the guest experience and driving innovation on all fronts to ensure its continued resilience, success and legacy for years to come,” Majewski said in a statement,
