SHAQ-LICIOUS: Ex-NBA star opens 1st metro-Detroit Big Chicken restaurant
Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t in Livonia Tuesday, but his larger-than-life presence could be felt.
Big Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant franchise co-owned by O’Neal, celebrated its grand opening Tuesday with a chamber of commerce ribbon cutting and special gifts for the first 34 people who lined up outside before the doors opened.
“The first 34 people in line received $10 gift cards that will be refreshed every week and won’t expire for a year,” said Big Chicken Manager Joselyn Burch. “We chose 34 because that was Shaq’s number that was retired.”
(To check out a video mini-tour of Big Chicken, click here.)
O’Neal was scheduled to pop in to his newest franchise location, but Burch said the genuinely kind co-owner will no doubt make an appearance at the restaurant in the future.
“I met him when we opened in Hartland in August,” Burch said. “He is the nicest person. He took time meeting everyone and posing for pictures. What a great guy.”
Tasty feedback
Although the Livonia Big Chicken had been open less than two hours when she was interviewed, Burch said the feedback has been delicious.
“I’ve been told multiple times how much our customers love the good and the atmosphere,” Burch said.
Burch, who has helped open the two other Michigan Big Chicken locations (Hartland and Clio), said people love all of the menu, but she did reveal a No. 1 offering.
“We offered a crispy chicken grilled cheese for a special limited time only,” she said. “Everybody loved it, so we kept it on the menu.”
Hafaid Godah, who is the franchisee of all three Michigan Big Chicken restaurants, said he’s looking to expand more throughout metro Detroit.
Family-friendly place
“Livonia is a great city to expand to first in the Detroit area,” said Gobah. “People love family-friendly places like this. Our saying is, ‘Big Flavor, Big Fun’.”
Big Chicken offers combos, tenders, wings, shakes and sundaes, a salad, kids meals and “sidekicks”, including crinkle-cut fries, Jalapeno slaw and Lucille’s Mac and Cheese.
Founded in 2018 in Las Vegas, according to its website: “Big Chicken fuses O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with today’s trending flavors. From crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders to Cheez-It® crusted mac n’ cheese and hand-crafted ice cream shakes, each menu item tells a story all while offering guests an inside look into the life and personality of Shaquille O’Neal.”
Big Chicken has a welcoming interior with ample seating and a big-screen TV, which will no doubt be flashing at least a few NBA games beginning later this month.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.