Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-casual food empire just got a little smaller in Sin City.
Big Chicken—the NBA legend’s fried chicken concept known for its over-the-top sandwiches and bold branding—has officially closed its West Tropicana Avenue location in Las Vegas.
The restaurant, which opened in January 2023, was one of two Big Chicken spots operating in the city. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the closure was first reported by the Las Vegas Food Facebook page earlier this week, and the West Tropicana location has since been removed from the brand’s official website.
That leaves the original Big Chicken restaurant on Paradise Road as the brand’s lone Las Vegas outpost. The flagship location opened in October 2018, complete with a celebrity-filled orange carpet event and menu items designed to reflect O’Neal’s personality—big flavors, big portions, and bigger-than-life energy.
Big Chicken first launched in Las Vegas before expanding nationwide. Today, the brand has grown to include restaurants in 16 states, Washington, D.C., and even Manchester, England. There are also Big Chicken locations aboard Carnival Cruise ships.
The menu at Big Chicken has always leaned into indulgence. Favorites include the Shaq Attack, stacked with jalapeño slaw and chipotle barbecue sauce, and The Pit Boss, which layers barbecue sauce and cheese curds for a smoky twist.
Sides like “dirty fries” loaded with bacon, cheese sauce, and banana peppers round out the comfort food lineup, along with classic milkshakes in multiple flavors.
While no official reason was given for the West Tropicana closure, the brand’s continued expansion across new markets shows that O’Neal’s restaurant ambitions are far from slowing down.
The Las Vegas-based concept—built around the idea of “big food, big fun, and big flavor”—has maintained steady growth since its launch, with plans to open additional franchise locations nationwide.