You’ve probably seen the headlines or the viral TikTok clips. There is this persistent legend that Shaquille O’Neal basically owns every burger joint you walk into. People love the idea of the "Big Aristotle" standing over a fryer or, more realistically, owning 10% of an entire global company. But if you are looking for the current number of how many Five Guys does Shaq own right now, the answer is actually zero.
That might come as a shock. Especially since for years, his name was synonymous with the brand.
Shaq didn't just casually invest in a few stores. At his peak, he was a franchise titan. He owned 155 Five Guys locations, which, at the time, represented about 10% of the entire company’s footprint. That is a massive chunk of real estate for one person. But in a move that proves he is as sharp with a spreadsheet as he was in the paint, he walked away from all of them years ago.
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The 155-Store Empire That Everyone Still Talks About
Honestly, it is easy to see why the myth persists. 155 is a huge number. To put that in perspective, most franchise owners are thrilled to own three or four locations. Shaq wasn't just "involved"; he was one of the largest individual franchisees in the country.
He started getting into the burger game around 2008. He liked the product, and more importantly, he liked the business model. Shaq has a very specific rule for his investments: he has to actually like the stuff he's selling. He’s gone on record many times saying he won't put his name on something he doesn't believe in. He liked the burgers, he liked the fries, and he really liked the profit margins.
At the height of his Five Guys era, his portfolio looked something like this:
- 155 Five Guys Burgers and Fries locations
- 40 24-Hour Fitness gyms
- 150 car washes
- 17 Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
- Multiple nightclubs and a movie theater
It was a literal empire built on fast-casual dining and service. But then 2016 happened.
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Why Shaq Sold His Five Guys Franchises
In 2016, Shaq decided to cash out. He sold all 155 stores. Why would someone dump a cash cow that was reportedly netting him millions in annual profit?
It wasn't because the business was failing. Far from it. Shaq basically looked at the landscape and realized he was "over-indexed" in burgers. In business terms, that just means he had too many eggs in one basket. If the burger market crashed or people suddenly decided they hated peanut oil, a huge portion of his net worth would have been at risk.
He wanted to diversify. He wanted to take that capital—estimated to be a payout in the $80 million to $100 million range—and move it into other things. He didn't just want to be a guy who owned franchises; he wanted to be the guy who started them.
Life After Burgers: The Rise of Big Chicken
Once he cleared out his Five Guys portfolio, Shaq didn't just sit on his hands. He launched Big Chicken in 2018. This was a massive pivot. Instead of paying franchise fees to another company, he became the franchisor.
Now, instead of people asking how many Five Guys does Shaq own, the real question is how fast is Big Chicken growing? As of 2026, the brand has exploded. There are over 40 locations open, but the real story is the pipeline. There are more than 350 units in development across the U.S. and even on cruise ships.
He learned the ropes at Five Guys so he could build his own house at Big Chicken. It's a classic "apprentice to master" move. He took the operational knowledge of how to run 150+ burger shops and applied it to a brand where he owns the intellectual property.
The Rest of the Shaq Portfolio (2026 Update)
If you’re keeping score at home, Shaq’s current involvement in the food world is still pretty heavy, even without the Five Guys stores. He has shifted his focus to brands where he has a seat at the table—literally.
- Papa John’s: He doesn't just own 9 stores in the Atlanta area; he’s on the Board of Directors. He’s also the face of the "Shaq-a-Roni" pizza, which has raised millions for charity.
- Krispy Kreme: He owns a historic location on Ponce de Leon Ave in Atlanta. He actually helped rebuild it after it was tragically damaged by fire a few years back.
- Authentic Brands Group: This is the big one. Shaq is the second-largest individual shareholder in this company. Why does that matter? Because they own the rights to brands like Reebok, Forever 21, and even the estates of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.
When you see Shaq in a commercial for a brand, there is a very high chance he owns a piece of the company behind it. He isn't just a "pitchman" anymore. He's the boss.
What This Teaches Us About Business
Shaq's exit from Five Guys is actually a masterclass in "knowing when to fold 'em." Most people would have held onto those 155 stores until the wheels fell off. Shaq realized that the value of the brand was peaking and he had reached his maximum growth potential within that system.
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He traded 155 stores that he managed for a brand (Big Chicken) that he controls. That is the difference between being rich and being wealthy.
So, to settle the debates at the dinner table: No, Shaq does not currently own Five Guys. He used to own a tenth of them, which is probably where the confusion starts. He sold them a decade ago to build something even bigger.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
If you’re looking to follow the Shaq model, here are a few takeaways:
- Invest in what you know. Shaq only buys into businesses he actually uses or eats at.
- Don't be afraid to exit. Just because a business is profitable doesn't mean it's the right long-term play for your portfolio.
- Diversification is key. Moving from 155 burger shops to a mix of tech, fitness, and various food brands protected his wealth.
- Ownership over "Working." Moving from a franchisee (the worker/owner) to a franchisor (the creator) is where the real exponential growth happens.
Next time you're biting into a burger at Five Guys, remember that you're eating at a place Shaq helped make famous, even if he’s moved on to the chicken business.
To get a better handle on your own investment strategy or to track how celebrity portfolios are shifting this year, keep an eye on SEC filings for major restaurant groups and franchisor disclosure documents.