Towering at 7-foot-1, basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is reaching new heights as he expands his Big Chicken empire to the Baltimore area.
Baltimore customers have enjoyed Shaq’s chicken sandwiches and tenders among the concessions at CFG Bank Arena.
Soon, they won’t need the excuse of a concert to get their snack on as Big Chicken opens its first standalone Maryland restaurant this weekend at The Villages at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills.
Located at 1407 South Main Chapel Way, the restaurant will have a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 8.
The first 100 guests in line will receive three free tenders and four signature dipping sauces in honor of Shaq’s No. 34 jersey number. Other guests can purchase that meal for $5.
The grand opening celebration will also feature giveaways, entertainment and surprises.
Big Chicken’s menu includes an array of chicken sandwiches, like The Ultimate, which is topped with mac n’ cheese and onion rings, and The Shaq Attack, dripping with chipotle BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, and cole slaw. The eatery also serves Shaq Snacks, either grilled or crispy chicken served on garlic toast with various toppings and sauces; chicken tenders, boneless chicken bites called Dunks, milkshakes, and other items.
The company will also be launching limited-time dips each month, including their latest sauce, Root Beer BBQ.
Big Chicken has more than 40 locations open and dozens more in development across North America.
“I instantly connected with Big Chicken’s larger-than-life personality and its mission to bring people together through BIG Flavor,” said Pratik Patel, operator of Anne Arundel County’s new Big Chicken location. “Gambrills is a special place, and it is the right fit to bring something new that matches its energy. We can’t wait to serve BIG Smiles to guests experiencing Big Chicken for the first time beyond the arena.”
Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern said the company set its sights on Maryland after finding success among Baltimore’s arena-goers.
“After launching at CFG Bank Arena, we saw firsthand how Maryland showed up for this brand,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. “Bringing Big Chicken into Gambrills with a partner like Pratik, who brings deep local experience and knows how to run a great restaurant, is how we grow. The right place, the right partner and a whole lot of BIG Flavor.”
