Big Chicken, the restaurant chain concept created by basketball legend and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal in fusing his home-cooked childhood favorite food with today’s trending flavors, is officially raising the stakes with the launch of “Inside The Sandwich Wars.” The promotion tipped off on April 23 and will run through June 30, during which time customers are invited to try four big sandwiches, each created in collaboration with former athletes and current sports personalities Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and O’Neal.
Throughout the “Sandwich Wars” guests will be able to cast votes for the champion. The sandwich legend with the highest number of purchases across the United States will receive a $25,000 donation to the winner’s charity of choice.
“This one’s personal,” said NBA Hall of Famer O’Neal. “These are my friends, my colleagues and now my competition. We’re going head-to-head in the ultimate ‘sandwich playoffs,’ all for our fans and a great cause.”
Each sandwich in the lineup reflects the Big Chicken restaurant franchise’s bold approach to big flavor and personality, driven by menu innovation that combines crispy chicken with home-cooked favorites and add-ons that highlight each personality’s taste.
The court is heating up with this all-star roster:
• Kenny The Jet boasts some serious bounce. Crispy chicken brings the power, while fried pickles and jalapeño coleslaw add the crunch and kick. Pepper jack brings the heat, and Carolina BBQ sauce ties it all together to serve up a Southern-style standout.
• Shaq Attack delivers big flavor, big fun and big smiles. It stars crispy chicken, melted pepper jack cheese, fiery jalapeño slaw and chipotle BBQ – all stacked on a toasted bun.
• Sir Charles brings the heat from tip-off to buzzer. It features crispy chicken at center, Mac & Cheese at power forward, bacon and crispy onions on the wings, with chipotle BBQ and Big Chicken sauce.
• The Ernie is all crunch, no benchwarmers. Crispy chicken flexes the muscle, backed by smoky bacon, cheddar cheese curds and a pile-on of onion tanglers. Chipotle BBQ and mayo run the playbook, stacked high on a toasted bun
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The Sandwich Wars limited-time offer will be available to order in-store and online at participating Big Chicken locations across Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. Prices may vary based on region and location.
“The Sandwich Wars are a reflection of what Big Chicken stands for,” said Josh Halpern, chief executive officer of Big Chicken and chief business officer of Craveworthy Brands. “We’re a brand built on bold flavor, true hospitality and connecting with the community in meaningful ways. This offer brings all of that to life.”
“I created Big Chicken because I always believed comfort food brings people together, and this lineup takes that to another level,” said O’Neal. “Big flavor, big competition and even bigger impact. Now, that’s what I call a triple double. It’s game time.”
About Big Chicken
Founded in 2018, the chain is backed by JRS Hospitality, an accomplished Las Vegas, Nevada-based ownership group; Authentic Brands Group, a multinational, multi-billion-dollar brand development, marketing and entertainment company; and Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal. In early 2025, Craveworthy Brands, a multi-brand restaurant platform company, made a strategic investment in the brand, which included managing operational control.
