Shaq's Big Chicken Lubbock restaurant gives opening timeline, hiring now

Cookies as big as NBA basketballs and chicken sandwiches large enough for Shaquille O'Neal's appetite will soon be available in Lubbock.

Big Chicken, a chicken sandwich restaurant franchise owned by Shaquille O'Neal, announced its entry into the Hub City in May 2023 and was delayed by architectural changes.

The Lubbock location, which is now hiring, is aiming to open at 7411 Milwaukee Ave. within the next two weeks. The restaurant will hire between 60-80 people, and has hired at least 25 already. Interviews are ongoing, and potential employees can apply through the job postings on Indeed.

"We should start training next Wednesday, and that would put us opening the next Wednesday or Friday," said Coby Jones, franchisee. "That's my goal, to be open before the first."

On opening day, the first 34 customers will receive gift cards for free chicken for a year. The cards will be loaded with $10 every week for the year.

"Knowing the excitement in Lubbock for something new, we're expecting big numbers of people to come out there," Jones said. "We're excited to get the best chicken sandwiches in Texas out to the local community."

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Those chicken sandwiches use an estimated 5.5 ounces of hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken. The sandwiches are named after important people or things in Shaq's life.

"My favorite is the Uncle Jerome," Jones said. "I love spicy things, and it's a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. It's divine. Another favorite is the grilled cheese sandwich with grilled chicken inside of it. It's crazy delicious."

Other popular menu items include a cookie the size of a standard NBA basketball and Lucille's Mac N' Cheese, which is made to order.

Another aspect of Big Chicken is helping local nonprofits and charities. Each restaurant usually has a region-tailored sandwich where a portion of sales will go to local charities. Jones said the Lubbock location is working on their special item, and groups interested in partnering can reach out to him at coby@jsonedevelopment.com.