Operations

Big Chicken popping up in Saudi Arabia

Provided

May 16, 2022

Big Chicken, NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal's craft-casual chicken concept, is set to open a seasonal pop-up location during Jeddah Season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to a company press release.

This is Big Chicken's second pop-up location in Jeddah. The brand's first experience was during the Formula 1 race in December 2021.

The menu will highlight some of Big Chicken's most popular items, such as the M.D.E. (crispy chicken, Shaq sauce and pickles) and Uncle Jerome (Nashville hot chicken, lettuce, mayo and pickles) sandwiches, milk shakes, fries and the Big Cookie, a giant chocolate chip cookie with the same radius as an NBA basketball.

Randy's, an exclusive sandwich available only at this location, includes crispy chicken, beef bacon and barbeque mayo, all between a Randy's glazed raised donut.

Safood, a food and beverage company specialized in managing international and local restaurants and coffee shops, will partner with Big Chicken and oversee the operations during the two-month festival.

"We are thrilled to bring Big Chicken to Jeddah Season and provide an opportunity for more people to try what we've spent years perfecting," Josh Halpern, Big Chicken CEO, said in the release. "Safood has been an amazing partner and is committed to providing the absolute best Big Chicken experience."

Located inside the Jeddah Season City Walk at Chicken Wars Food Hall, Big Chicken will be open from the start of the festival through June 30, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Big Chicken operates seven locations in the U.S. with franchise agreements in place in more than 100 additional locations planning to open in the coming months.

Founded in 2018, Big Chicken is backed by JRS Hospitality, a Las Vegas-based ownership group; Authentic Brands Group, a brand development firm and marketing and entertainment company; and O'Neal, a four-time NBA champion and Pro Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.