“Make It Big and Sloppy Like He Is”: Despite Losing Charles Barkley Exclusivity, Results of Shaquille O’Neal’s Silly Antics Revealed by Big Chicken CEO

If you needed more evidence that Shaquille O’Neal is an ingenious mastermind, he proved it with Big Chicken. He turned a prank on his mortal enemy into a profitable venture. His banter on NBA on TNT with the one and only Charles Barkley would turn into a delicious affair on the Big Chicken menu. The association would end when Barkley officially attached his name to another company. Regardless, Shaq’s attempt at poking fun is still a fan favorite.

Josh Halpern gave more background about Shaq’s involvement in Big Chicken on the ES Fancast. Every special milestone and person in Shaq’s life can find a reflection in the Big Chicken menu because of the Big Diesel creativity.

Shaquille O’Neal profits out of Barkley

The formerly named Charles Barkley sandwich came up when Josh Halpern was on the ES Fancast. As per the Big Chicken CEO, the authentic Shaquille O’Neal personality shines in the fast-casual chicken concept. Not only did the founding chefs develop the dishes out of Shaq’s childhood recipes, he also a personal hand in naming them.

His mom’s signature Cheezit-crusted delight is named Lucille’s Mac and Cheese. A friend and staff member who loves dousing hot sauce on everything is the inspiration behind the Uncle Jerome. Among the many other Shaq-themed dishes, his go-to is the MDE – Most Dominant Ever. But if you’re feeling indulgent, the Big & Sloppy is the perfect fit.

It was previously called the Charles Barkley. Halpern said they had to change the name when Sir Charles signed an exclusive deal with Subway in 2021. However, this speaks of Shaq’s joshing personality.

“That’s how it came to be, right,” Halpern said. “[O’Neal] called Matt Silverman, our main chef, and said ‘I want to do a sandwich called The Charles Barkley, make it big and sloppy the way he is.'” 

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Silverman took the joke seriously. He created a burger topped with mac and cheese, crispy fried onions, and roasted garlic barbeque aioli in honor of Barkley. In most Big Chicken locations in operation, it became extremely popular.

Barkley would later add the Frontcourt Feast to the Subway menu in 2022. Following that, Big Chicken removed the Charles Barkley from their menu and revived it as the Big & Sloppy.

Shaq’s ingenuity turns into success

It may have started as a joke but Shaq and the people at JRS Hospitality have created a very appealing experience.

While people come for the Shaq appeal, they stay for the food. Similarly, those who came to get a taste of the Charles Barkley, now enjoy it as the Big & Sloppy. “It’s a great seller for us in certain stores and in certain parts of the country,” Halpern gushed about the Big & Sloppy.

“We continue to try to push the boundaries where we can have big fun and big food and that’s a really big fun and sloppy sandwich. So it’s on our menu and it’s doing just great.”

This just proves Shaq’s silliness works both on air and in a delightful meal. What do you think about this piece of Big Aristotle smarts?

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