Shaquille O’Neal is a business maestro and a towering titan both on and off the court.
The 7’1″ former basketball player has played the business game for ages.
He studied business in college, so, it’s no surprise that he’s masterminded some seriously successful ventures.
With a jaw-dropping reported net worth of $400 million, it’s safe to say Shaq has the Midas touch for business.
So, let’s delve into his business ventures and investments.
Shaquille O’Neal Is A Franchisee First, All-Star Second
The 49-year-old entrepreneur holds a special place in his heart for franchises.
When the Wall Street Journal asked Shaq why he finds franchising so appealing, he replied:
“It’s like partnering up with another reliable, excellent brand. Being in business with people, and just owning stuff.”
Shaquille O’Neal has owned a whopping 40 24-Hour Fitness gyms and an impressive fleet of 150 car washes.
But that’s not all.
Shaq has also dipped his toes into the restaurant franchise pool.
He’s bought and sold a jaw-dropping 155 Five Guys Burgers joints, accounting for a whopping 10% of the entire company’s franchise empire.
On top of that, he’s the proud owner of 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels establishments and a sweet 9 Papa John’s franchises.
He’s even made it onto the Papa John’s board of directors, acting as their larger-than-life brand ambassador.
That’s what you call a slam dunk!
Krispy Kreme’s Glazed and Glorious Champion
Now, if you think that’s all the franchising action Shaq’s got going on, think again.
The man also has an immense hankering for donuts.
According to Shaq’s WSJ interview, he fell in love with Krispy Kreme in college, and now he’s on a mission to conquer the donut world.
The entrepreneur already owns several Krispy Kreme franchises, and he’s hungry for more.
From Player to Powerhouse Franchisor
But Shaquille O’Neal isn’t just content with being a franchisee.
He’s also played the role of the franchisor, bringing his own food brand to the table.
In 2018, Shaq created Big Chicken, a chicken sandwich empire that has food enthusiasts clucking with joy.
Big Chicken has ten locations sprinkled across Las Vegas, and Shaq has already partnered with Ghost Kitchen Brands and Carnival Cruise Ships.
They started franchising in 2021, and cities like Austin and Phoenix better be prepared for some finger-lickin’ goodness.
He Writes, Too
Not content with running businesses, Shaq also writes.
The entrepreneur has written several books, including:
- Little Shaq
- Shaq’s Family Style: Championship Recipes for Feeding Family and Friends
- Shaq Talks Back
- Shaq Uncut: My Story
A Slam Dunk in Business
While many former NBA players end up broke, Shaquille O’Neal is the exception to the rule.
Shaq diversified his career portfolio, and it’s paid off in spades.
So whether you associate him with his legendary athletic pursuits, his franchise empire, or even his DJ skills (yes, he spins those records too), it’s clear that Shaq defies any conventional measure of success.
Shaquille O’Neal is like a rare breed of business superhero, effortlessly juggling multiple ventures and leaving a trail of triumph in his wake.
Well, this is interesting.
Papa John’s today named … Shaquille O’Neal its newest board member. The former NBA star will also invest in nine locations in Atlanta.
O’Neal currently owns a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise and 27 Five Guys. pic.twitter.com/AeT1R0dCgF
— Jonathan Maze (@jonathanmaze) March 22, 2019
The show was about a group of middle school students interested in learning about business and making money.
Who better to teach them than the greatest investor in history?
Other valuable lessons came from notable names like:@SHAQ pic.twitter.com/sse2UxglxJ
— Karl Kaufman (@thekarlkaufman) May 6, 2023
Wait til you hear how Tate’s mom ended her career! #andrewtate #shaq #shaquilleoneal #tax #taxes #parents #business #retirement #retired pic.twitter.com/YB7KXwz3We
— tatebetters (@tatebetters) May 8, 2023
