Chicken joint co-founded by NBA Hall of Famer closes Tacoma location

Big Chicken, an international chain co-founded by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, has officially closed up shop in Tacoma.

“We have permanently closed our doors. Thank you for the memories and for supporting us,” read multiple signs posted on the restaurant’s storefront.

The fast casual chicken restaurant at 2601 N. Pearl St. served fried chicken sandwiches with toppings like mac n’ cheese, cheese curds and onion rings. The menu included tenders and milkshakes.

No one at the Tacoma Big Chicken could be reached for comment.

Big Chicken first opened in Tacoma in 2024, as previously reported by The News Tribune. There are four other locations in Washington, including Seattle, Renton and Mukilteo.

The franchise started in 2018, inspired by O’Neal’s favorite foods from childhood, according to Big Chicken’s website.

Even with the loss of Big Chicken, Tacoma still has a significant number of fried chicken restaurants, including Dave’s Hot Chicken, Wingstop, Super Chix, Jollibee and many more.