Big Chicken opens Anne Arundel standalone location

After debuting in Maryland in downtown Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena, Big Chicken – a fast casual concept founded by NBA legend and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal – has opened its first standalone location in the state at Waugh Chapel Towne Centre in Gambrills.

Located at 1407 South Main Chapel Way, the restaurant held its grand opening on Aug. 8 with giveaways and entertainment. Local entrepreneur Pratik Patel will operate the Gambrills Big Chicken franchise, according to a release. Patel brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience with a business portfolio including multiple locations of quick-service brands across Howard and Anne Arundel counties.

“I instantly connected with Big Chicken’s larger-than-life personality and its mission to bring people together through BIG Flavor,” Patel said according to a release. 

“Gambrills is a special place, and it’s the right fit to bring something new that matches its energy. We can’t wait to serve BIG Smiles to guests experiencing Big Chicken for the first time beyond the arena.”

Founded in 2018 in Las Vegas, Big Chicken’s menu features stacked chicken sandwiches “The Shaq Attack” and “The Ultimate”, crispy tenders and the brand’s “Dunks” – a dippable boneless chicken item smaller than tenders but bigger than nuggets. The menu also offers signature sides, hand-spun milkshakes, “Shaq Snacks” and its patented lineup of limited-time dips.

Big Chicken has more than 40 locations open and dozens more in progress, building its customer base by opening establishments in arenas, airports, cruise ships and traditional storefronts, a release says. The Gambrills site is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“After launching at CFG Bank Arena, we saw firsthand how Maryland showed up for this brand,” Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern said.

“Bringing Big Chicken into Gambrills with a partner like Pratik, who brings deep local experience and knows how to run a great restaurant, is how we grow. The right place, the right partner and a whole lot of BIG Flavor.”