Franchising

Big Chicken antes up in Vegas

Provided

May 2, 2022

Big Chicken, founded by Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, has signed a franchise agreement with restaurateur Vincent Alba to open eight locations in the Las Vegas city limits as well as a nearby suburb, Henderson.

"I was instantly hooked from the moment I tasted the food at Big Chicken, and from then on, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of," said Alba, who has been a regular at the brand's original location just off The Strip. "When you think of Shaquille O'Neal, you think big, bold, and fun, and each menu item truly reflects those qualities. Both the local community and thrill-seeking visitors in Las Vegas are vibrant and passionate, and after meeting with the excellent leadership team I'm confident Big Chicken will meet that energy."

Alba, a multi-unit owner of four Firehouse Subs locations in Las Vegas, has over 25 years of restaurant operations experience with the past eight being in franchise ownership. As a Las Vegas resident, he will use his knowledge of ownership and operations to expand Big Chicken's success to serve both Las Vegas and Henderson with the support of a strong management team.

"As Big Chicken's home market, Las Vegas holds a special place for us and our fans, so we had to find someone to grow with who not only has the right experience but shares our passion for the brand," said Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern in the release. "Vinnie meets our criteria and then some, and we're thrilled to have him as a franchisee on our team, helping to continue our expansion in Las Vegas."

Big Chicken has over 150 locations in its development pipeline.