In the midst of conquering the restaurant scene on Earth, NBA hall of famer Shaquille O’Neal is setting his sights higher. The countdown for Big Chicken’s outer space debut is officially on.
In preparation for this expedition, Las Vegas-based Big Chicken — a growing restaurant chain with a location at Austin Landing — has partnered with Blue Origin, a company which seeks to eventually enable to movement of damaging industries into space to preserve Earth. The two will collaborate to feed the imaginations of the next generation of explorers while pursuing a dream of establishing restaurant operations in space.
Blue Origin’s nonprofit, Club for the Future, will partner with Big Chicken’s leadership team and O’Neal as club ambassadors to inspire and engage students to pursue careers in STEM to help invent the future of life in space.
“We’ve always said “Go BIG’ when asked about growth plans for Big Chicken. Now, with Blue Origin, we’re going as BIG as we can by advancing the dream of running restaurants in space," said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. "When I think about what Shaquille stands for – BIG fun and pursuing BIG dreams – this relationship aligns perfectly with Blue Origin’s vision to enable millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.”
Club for the Future will launch new community outreach programs at Big Chicken restaurants, including inviting patrons to draw their vision of the future on Postcards to Space. Blue Origin will fly the postcards on a future New Shepard mission, stamp them “flown to space,” and return them to the creators.
“Living and working in space for the benefit of Earth should be delicious. Shaq’s Big Chicken and Club for the Future will fuel students’ appetites and minds as they pursue careers in STEM – all while delivering some of Earth’s tastiest foods to space,” said Michael Edmonds, SVP, strategy, marketing, and sales, Blue Origin, and president of Club for the Future.
O’Neal, who opened the first Big Chicken location in 2018, said he is proud to team up with Blue Origin in pursuit of inspiring the next generation.
“This first-of-its-kind partnership is a game changer and I’m excited to take the chicken sandwich game to a whole new level,” O’Neal said.
In addition to the recent collaboration with Blue Origin, Big Chicken plans to expand its locations across 11 states with new locations set to open in the next six weeks.
Although Big Chicken launched only a year and half ago, more than 200 locations are planned across the U.S. Currently, one location is operating in the Dayton region at 10655 Innovation Drive in Miami Township, with more planned.
As the name suggests, the fast-casual concept offers a chicken-centric menu of crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders, as well as classic sides such as fries and mac n’ cheese. Dessert options like classic shakes also are offered.
O’Neal, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, has evolved into a larger cultural force through his broadcasting work, business ventures and marketing endeavors.
