SerpApi.Org
Whether it's Raising Cane's, Layne's or Bojangles, chicken has been dominating the fast-food world in recent years. Yet one chain from a one-time San Antonio superstar may be in doubt after years of anticipation.
Big Chicken, the Louisiana-style fried chicken chain from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, turned heads back in 2022 when it announced plans for 50 restaurants across Texas, including one in the Alamo City. However, those plans could be up in the air with the news that Shaq's Big Chicken has permanently closed its Fort Worth restaurant, the latest in a handful of Texas closures.
Big Chicken offers items like crispy chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and Cheez-It crusted mac n' cheese, described as "O'Neal's home-cooked childhood favorites."
The address at 9749 N. Fwy, Suite 101, Fort Worth, TX 76177 shows up as permanently closed on Google and now has a for-lease sign on the building, according to food blogger Celia Valadez Guerrero.
"Restaurant openings and closures are always bittersweet," Guerrero writes. "While it's never easy to see a local business close, it also reminds us how important it is to support the restaurants we love while they're here."
The Fort Worth closure follows Big Chicken closing all of its Houston-area restaurants in February and its lone Lubbock outpost in June. While Big Chicken has restaurants in 17 states, the only active Texas store is in Austin's Moody Center at 2001 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712, a long way away from the planned 50.
MySA has reached out to Big Chicken for comment on the closures and the future of the San Antonio restaurant.
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