Everyone needs some Shaq-ism in their lives. The CEO of Big Chicken, Josh Halpern, has picked up much of Shaquille O’Neal’s witticisms working with him. He was eager to reveal what he learned from the 4x NBA champion, the multi-hyphenate, on ES Fancast. Thanks to Halpern, there’s more insight into Shaq’s family-first philosophy.

After all, Big Chicken originated from the NBA star’s childhood and family. His mother’s recipes and the O’Neal policy of bringing smiles to everyone’s faces are central to the restaurant chain. These Shaq qualities have weaved into Halpern’s life too.

Shaquille O’Neal’s influence on Big Chicken CEO

New York native Josh Halpern graduated from Cornell and Babson College before starting a career in global CPG brands. He spent half of his 20-year career so far in the restaurant business under Anheuser-Busch InBev. His experience made JRS Hospitality recruit him as Big Chicken’s CEO in 2021. It was in this Shaquille O’Neal-fueled brand that the exec learned some important life lessons.

Halpern proudly boasts two things Shaq instilled in him. “The first one is, you need to be authentic all the time.” Earlier in this interview and several times before, Josh was emphatic about the NBA star’s authenticity. He doesn’t switch between a celebrity and a regular personality. Nor does he fake anything in the business world. It’s something Halpern has adopted as an operator too.

“I can’t get up there on stage and pretend I’m somebody that I’m not,” Halpern said. He’d further hype that same larger-than-life authenticity that is the Big Diesel brand. “Shaquille is unapologetically Shaquille, and the world has said we like this guy.”  

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Like the NBA great, Halpern is staying true to himself while conducting business. One of his biggest responsibilities is to protect the wholesome Shaq image attached to Big Chicken. It’s a task that can consume an executive. But Halpern manages it because of the second lesson he learned from the Los Angeles Lakers star.

Shaquille O’Neal’s Handbook on Balance

Apart from Big Chicken, O’Neal manages 155 restaurants in his portfolio of more businesses. He’s DJ Diesel in the offseason and bantering with Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA. Amid all his globetrotting schedules, he’s performing with his eldest son Myles, and going to his youngest kid, Me’Arah’s games. His remarkable work-life balance even inspires Josh Halpern.

“The second thing he enforces every day is work-life integration,” Halpern said and illustrated it with Shaq and his kid’s friendship. O’Neal would do little gestures like filming videos for Halpern’s kids on their birthdays. He trusts the CEO so much, he could call him at odd hours. But if Halpern is occupied with family, like attending his son’s basketball games, Shaq insists he prioritizes that over their work call.

Because of Shaq, Halpern has learned to “weave your work and your life together,” without inconveniencing family and the people he works with. These Shaquille O’Neal lessons need to be part of everyone’s lives. Do you see Shaq embody these qualities, too?

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