Franchising
Big Chicken scores 6-unit deal
March 28, 2024
Big Chicken, founded by Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Shaquille O'Neal, has signed a six-unit agreement with restaurant operator, Jason Ratlif, to open stores from Tyler and Upper East Texas to Monroe, Louisiana.
"Beyond the backing by Shaquille O'Neal, Big Chicken brings BIG flavors that are truly unique. After encountering Big Chicken on a Carnival Cruise, I knew that I needed to bring the brand to my community," Ratlif said in company press release. "The decision to introduce this concept and the BIG fun behind everything that it does from Monroe to Tyler was easy. My partners and I are thrilled to be a part of the brand's expansion, especially given that we have strong ties in the area. The first step in our multi-unit journey is to secure premium real estate in Eastern Monroe."
With Ratlif's experience managing teams, the locations are poised to shape Big Chicken into a focal point for local communities across their territory and become a standout representation of the brand, CEO Josh Halpern said in the release.
"Jason is joining the Big Chicken family at a unique inflection point in our growth," he said. "He has incredible instincts for operations and has proven that he knows how to build winning teams and successful restaurants. It worked out perfectly that he was looking to fill the white space that we had in East Texas and Northern Louisiana. The region is on the brink of BIG things and we can't wait to be a part of them."
The agreement in Louisiana and Texas will add to the 350-plus locations in development nationwide.
