Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken is one of the many examples of the former NBA champion’s ability to use his fame in smart ways. And because the Paris Summer Olympics are just around the corner, the chicken-forward brand just dropped their new French-inspired sandwich that’s sure to excite chicken and Olympics fans alike.
As the world gears up for the games in Paris this July, Big Chicken, founded by NBA Hall of Famer and two-time Olympian Shaquille O’Neal, is adding a new and exciting item to its menu: The Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich. This crispy chicken sandwich, inspired by the French dish, includes country ham, melty Swiss cheese, and a flavor-packed Carolina honey mustard BBQ sauce—a great addition to Big Chicken’s selection of championship-worthy menu items.
This delicious new offer from the brand that’s designed to honor athletes will be available for a limited time, from July 19 until the end of August. Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern said that the new Cordon Bleu Sandwich signifies the teamwork, passion, and culinary expertise of Team Big Chicken. Halpern also mentioned that the sandwich is made to help guests feel like they’re cheering on our Olympic representatives in France from the sidelines. With O’Neal being an Olympic gold medalist himself, the brand hopes to inspire that same go-for-gold spirit in their customers and fans, the CEO added.
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What Else Has Shaq Been Up To?
Shaquille O’Neal has many business ventures, including a partnership with Papa Johns. And If you weren’t aware, O’Neal became a board member of the popular pizza company following the lawsuits and controversies sparked by Papa John’s founder John Schnatter. Sadly, O’Neal had to exit the company back in May due to other commitments—but not without leaving a lasting impact on the company, for sure.
One of Shaquille O’Neal’s contributions is how he used his influence to create the “Shaq-a-Roni pizza” to make a positive impact. By partnering with Papa John’s, O’Neal helped direct a portion of the pizza’s proceeds to The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community. This foundation supports important causes such as youth-forward initiatives, food security, and much more. Through this, O’Neal not only boosted pizza sales but also won back people’s favor and reinforced the company’s commitment to making a positive difference in the world. While O’Neal didn’t single-handedly save Papa John’s from total economic ruin, there’s no denying that his involvement played a highly significant role in rebuilding the company’s reputation.
And just recently, the basketball start got back with Papa Johns for a new product launch, the Shaq-a-Roni Sticks. These new cheese-stuffed breadsticks are currently only available Papa John restaurants in South Carolina, North Dakota, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Besides Big Chicken and Papa Johns, O’Neal is also known for his other investments in the food and beverages industry, real estate, technology, and entertainment. Overall, the former NBA player’s entrepreneurial skills and wide-ranging interests have made him a successful businessman beyond his basketball career.
A Quick Look at Big Chicken as a Brand
Big Chicken is a chicken-forward brand that combines Shaquille O’Neal’s childhood favorite home-cooked meals with modern flavors. In addition to the Cordon Bleu Sandwich, the brand offers other iconic items like The Original Big Chicken, Uncle Jerome’s Nashville Hot, and The Ultimate.
Remember, the new Cordon Bleu Sandwich is now available for a limited time at participating Big Chicken restaurants. To learn more about Big Chicken and their other menu offers, visit the official website and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms.
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From The Club
I recently just became a fan of Shaquille O’Neal since learning about how he pretty much saved Papa Johns and helped the pizza company get back on its feet. This is my first time finding out about Big Chicken and I’m already eager to try the Ultimate Chicken Sandwich from the brand. I usually try to stay away from burgers and sandwiches that give the arteries a hard time just by looking at them, but the combination of crispy fried onions and mac n’ cheese in Big Chicken’s Ultimate is calling out to me. I need to find out if there’s a location in my area so I can try it at least once.