Shaquille O’Neal’s ‘Big Chicken’ opens Monday in Hixson

March 1, 2024

WDEF News,

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — The time has come. Big Chicken in Hixson will be opening on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Big Chicken’s Hixson location is at 5118 Hixson Pike, near the Northgate Mall.

It will open at 11 a.m.

The downtown Chattanooga location will be opening very soon as well. Big Chicken said they plan to open the Broad Street location “in early April.”

The first 34 guests in line will get one free Big Chicken sandwich per month for a year. “The 34 guests represent the number on O’Neal’s jersey, which was officially retired in 2012, during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers,” the company said in a press release.

Owner Jim Richards has plans to operate at least 20 Big Chicken locations throughout Tennessee.

Shaquille O’Neal in a Big Chicken restaurant, Courtesy of Big Chicken

SEE PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — “Big Chicken,” a restaurant owned by Shaquille O’Neal, is now hiring for one of its Chattanooga locations.

There are two locations coming to Chattanooga. One is in Hixson and the other is on Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga.

The Hixson location is now accepting applications online. It will be located at 5118 Hixson Pike.

The downtown location will be at 410 Broad Street.

According to the website, both locations have anticipated opening dates of Spring 2024.

Local owner Jim Richards says he plans to open the Hixson location in early March.

“We’ve been gearing up for the opening of the first Big Chicken in Tennessee, and it’s finally around the corner,” said Richards. “If you’re passionate about helping to serve BIG flavor and BIG fun to the residents of Hixson, I’d love for you to apply for our all-star hospitality team.”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant, Big Chicken, is coming to Chattanooga with two locations. Big Chicken Chattanooga will be the first Tennessee location to open.

O’Neal announced that he had signed the two leases on Thursday.

Big Chicken Chattanooga will be located at 410 Broad Street.

They will open a Hixson location as well, located at 5118 Hixson Pike.

Both locations are scheduled to open in 2023.

This is part of an expansion which will bring 10 Big Chicken locations to Tennessee, including Nashville and Knoxville as well. Big Chicken was founded in 2018 and already has some locations nationwide.

Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Courtesy of Big Chicken

The restaurant features menu items including big chicken sandwiches, sweet potato waffle fries, Lucille’s Mac n’ Cheese, shakes and big cookies, among many others.

“The ‘wow’ factor behind Big Chicken is its BIG food, BIG flavor and BIG fun, and we’re confident that both the Chattanooga and Hixson locations will quickly become the go-to spot for lunch and dinner in the Greater Chattanooga area,” said Jim Richards, who has more than four decades of restaurant experience. “Our team has been operating restaurants in the area since 2007, and we’re thrilled at the visibility that being located off of Broad Street and in the heart of Downtown Hixson will bring to this concept.”