Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken 45-Unit Agreement in Florida

By: Big Chicken | 17 Shares 712 Reads

September 02, 2022 // Franchising.com // MIAMI - Other chicken chains talk the talk, but no one else can Bok the Bok like Big Chicken!

The fast casual chicken restaurant franchise founded by basketball Hall of Famer and celebrated entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal, announced today that the brand has inked a 45-unit deal that encompasses Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Joining another deal that will place 40 units in the northern half of the state, the Central and South Florida territories included in this agreement close out availability of the brand to restaurant franchise investors.

Accomplished Florida commercial hospitality development company DMD Ventures completed the deal with Big Chicken.

“When we came across Big Chicken and looked into the concept, it became a no-brainer,” said Fred Burgess, principal, co-founder and co-CEO of DMD Ventures.

Owning and operating several successful franchise concepts including Twin Peaks®, Papa Johns®, IHG Hotels® and Go Minis Portable Storage® as well as shopping centers, DMD Ventures is a team of attorney’s, developers and hospitality leaders that have over 50 years of experience. At the core of their leadership are Co-CEOs Fred Burgess and Jack Flechner, who each bring extensive legal and hospitality experience to the table. Both Burgess and Flechner have served a tenure as President of the Twin Peaks Franchise Association and are regular speakers at franchising conventions. Austin Hester serves as DMD Ventures’ Chief Operating Officer and is a 20-year multi-unit hospitality industry veteran with expertise in evolving operations, training systems and brand development.

“At this significant milestone for Big Chicken, we can’t help but reflect on the relationships we’ve built with our incredible franchisees like Fred, Jack and Austin. Each group understands Shaquille’s vision and we’re incredibly lucky to have them onboard for this journey with us,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken.

SOURCE Big Chicken

###