Big Chicken preparing to open in Carson City

Big Chicken, the restaurant chain founded by basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, will open soon in Carson City, according to business owner Damon Kreizenbeck.

A soft opening is scheduled for Jan. 10 at the location in the former Tito’s restaurant, 444 E. William St. A grand opening is slated for Jan. 13.

“It’s just going to be a fun place, a place I’d like to hang out in in this town,” Kreizenbeck told the Appeal on Thursday.

Unlike some locations, the Carson City Big Chicken will have a full bar. And Kreizenbeck, a Carson resident who owns and operates the Firehouse Subs off Highway 50, is working to open another Big Chicken and Firehouse Subs in Minden — the former planned for a June opening and the latter in May.

Kreizenbeck said he’s already hired 42 people for the business. He called the employees in the Carson area phenomenal.

“We start training on the second,” he said.

A press release issued Thursday said the Carson opening is the first in a six-unit deal in northwest Nevada.

“This location will be added to the existing duo of Nevada locations but will be the first to offer the brand’s mouthwatering menu items outside of Las Vegas,” reads the release.

Kreizenbeck became a Firehouse Subs franchisee in 2015, opening his first location with his father-in-law Patrick Lindsay. Lindsay will also be involved in the Big Chicken business, as will Kreizenbeck’s wife Karin and their daughters Hanna, Lindsay and Kyda. In addition to his family, Kreizenbeck’s longtime friend from college, Anthony Kingsland, will be COO.

“Our family knows that to be successful, you need good people, a good environment and most importantly, good food, and are confident that we’ve found that in Big Chicken,” Kreizenbeck said in the release.

“It’s been great bringing Damon and his family on board. Their connections to Carson City and love for the people and culture there are inspirational,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. “Outside of their ties to the community, the Kreizenbecks’ industry knowledge and business skills make them the perfect partners to continue building on Big Chicken’s reputation in Nevada.”

Founded in 2018, Big Chicken is “backed by a dream team of partners,” including JRS Hospitality, a Las Vegas-based ownership group; Authentic Brands Group, a brand development, marketing and entertainment company; and O’Neal.

“Big Chicken fuses O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with today’s trending flavors,” reads the release.

The restaurant chain currently has more than 350 locations in development across the U.S., according to the release.

For information, visit http://www.bigchicken.com.

News of the Big Chicken opening comes on the heels of Buffalo Wild Wings closing in south Carson. Another chicken fast-casual restaurant, Guthrie’s, is planned for Old Clear Creek Road near Costco. Developers of that chain eatery previously told the Appeal they hope the location opens in the spring.