Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken has already been making waves with over 40 locations and more than 350 in the pipeline. But now, things are about to get even bigger. The brand just got a major boost with a game-changing partnership. Craveworthy Brands—the company behind Genghis Grill, Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, and Hot Chicken Takeover—has officially added Big Chicken to its growing portfolio. With a projected nationwide expansion of 272 restaurants by 2029, this move could take Shaq’s fast-casual empire to a whole new level.
But how exactly does this partnership work? Well, Craveworthy isn’t just hopping on board as a casual investor. The company is stepping in as a managing partner, investor, and stakeholder. Meanwhile, Big Chicken’s current CEO, Josh Halpern, isn’t going anywhere. He’ll continue leading the brand while also taking on the role of chief business officer at Craveworthy.
And Halpern couldn’t be more excited. “I’m excited to team up with Gregg [Majewski, CEO] and the Craveworthy team; it’s a marriage of two big time talented organizations,” he shared in a statement. “Gregg and I have a strong professional relationship and he’s the type of leader we’ll match with well. I feel fantastic about our future.” But the real question is—will this partnership actually push Big Chicken to new heights?
Is Craveworthy good for Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken?
There’s a good chance it will. Big Chicken isn’t just backed by Shaquille O’Neal. It also has the support of JRS Hospitality, a Las Vegas-based hospitality group, and Authentic Brands Group, the powerhouse behind Reebok and Champion. With Craveworthy now in the mix, the brand’s resources just got even stronger.
All four stakeholders will now work together, bringing their expertise in operations, training, supply chain management, culinary development, and customer service. But here’s the best part—Big Chicken will still keep its independent identity.
Shaq’s Big Chicken fast casual brand partners with Craveworthy Brands
Big Chicken has 40 locations open with 350+ restaurants in development
With Big Chicken under its umbrella, Craveworthy now has a portfolio of 15 brands!
Congrats @Gregg_Majewski ! pic.twitter.com/0Kg5yn6Wgy
— JT Singh (@FranchiseMnA) March 4, 2025
Not only that, in less than a year, the company has snapped up five brands, adding Big Chicken to a portfolio that already includes Sigri Indian BBQ, Untamed Brands (Taim Mediterranean Kitchen and Hot Chicken Takeover), Dirty Dough, and Fresh Brothers Pizza. With each acquisition, Craveworthy is building a powerhouse in the restaurant industry—and Shaq’s fast-casual chicken brand might be its biggest move yet.
And for Craveworthy CEO Gregg Majewski, this deal is exactly what he envisioned. “This one-of-a-kind opportunity truly embodies the mission behind why I founded Craveworthy—to build a full-stack platform that aligns with top brands like Big Chicken and infuses broad-reaching support through proven systems and support to thrive in the evolving restaurant industry,” he explained.
The numbers speak for themselves. Big Chicken already has 40 locations worldwide, with a staggering 350-plus in development. Now, under Craveworthy’s umbrella, the brand is eyeing even bigger opportunities, especially in franchising. With a strong focus on the ever-growing chicken segment, expansion seems inevitable.
But it’s not just about growth—it’s about making sure Big Chicken stays true to itself. “As investors, managing partners, and leaders in restaurant operations, we’re going to fully leverage the Craveworthy team’s deep industry expertise to propel Big Chicken to new heights, all while preserving what makes the brand so unique to its loyal guests,” Majewski added. If all goes as planned, Shaq’s chicken empire is just getting started.
Who are Craveworthy?
Most restaurant chains stick to one thing. McDonald’s and Burger King dominate burgers, Papa John’s and Domino’s own the pizza game, and Chipotle keeps it fresh with burritos. But then there’s Craveworthy Brands. Launched in 2022 and based in South Elgin, Illinois—just 35 miles outside of Chicago—this company isn’t following the usual playbook.
Craveworthy is built differently. Led by founder and CEO Gregg Majewski, the former CEO of Jimmy John’s, the company has grown to 15 brands and over 200 locations. Majewski remains the largest shareholder, though some high-net-worth individuals and family offices have also invested. The brand’s reach is evenly split, with 100 company-owned locations and 100 franchises.
And those brands? They cover just about everything. From Wing It On! for chicken wings to Sigri Indian BBQ, The Budlong Southern Chicken, Hot Chicken Takeover, Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, Dirty Dough, and Fresh Brothers Pizza—Craveworthy is taking a bold all-in approach. While other chains specialize, this company is building a food empire across multiple cuisines.
And the numbers prove it’s working. In 2023, Craveworthy pulled in $100 million in revenue and is on track to double that to $200 million by the end of 2024. Not only that, the Corporate revenue is also expected to hit $120 million this year.
With numbers like that, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken just landed in some serious company—and the future is looking pretty smooth.
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