Big Chicken, a chain started by NBA great Shaquille O’Neal, is headed to State College

Keely Doll
·1 min read
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Something big is coming to State College — Big Chicken, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant chain, that is.

The fast-food chicken restaurant was founded by O’Neal in 2018 and has locations in Los Angles, Las Vegas and more. Known for its Louisiana-style chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese and cookies as big as basketballs, the State College eatery is set to become the second Big Chicken location in Pennsylvania.

The Sidhu family, including members Harsimrat, Shubreet, Samarjit and Pukhraj, plans to open Big Chicken locations across the state, including the Lehigh Valley and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton areas. Where and when the State College location would open have not been released.

“When we first learned about Big Chicken, we did not need much convincing to franchise with them,” Harsimrat Sidhu wrote in a company press release. “We fell in love with the Big Chicken flavor profile and the variety of menu items they offer. Big Chicken really felt like a family to us, and with our global perspective we are looking forward to learning and growing with them.”

In a press release, Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern expressed his excitement at the Sidhu family’s future franchise locations.

“We currently have one upcoming location slated for the state of Pennsylvania, so we are BIG time excited to support the Sidhu’s in their plans for expansion across the state,” Halpern said.

Alongside O’Neal, Big Chicken is owned by JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands.