You’ve probably seen the commercials. Shaq is everywhere. One minute he’s telling you about The General insurance, the next he’s talking about Icy Hot or holding a massive pepperoni pizza. It’s easy to think he’s just a guy who says "yes" to every endorsement deal that hits his desk.
Honestly? That couldn't be further from the truth.
Shaquille O'Neal doesn't just put his face on brands. He buys them. He owns them. Since retiring from the NBA in 2011, Shaq has built a business empire so massive it actually dwarfs his career on-court earnings. We're talking about a guy who once spent $1 million in 45 minutes and realized he needed to get his act together. He did. Now, in 2026, he is arguably the most successful athlete-turned-entrepreneur in history.
So, what does Shaquille O'Neal own? It’s a mix of fried chicken, car washes, tech giants, and—this is the part that usually blows people's minds—the rights to some of the most famous dead celebrities in history.
The Franchise King: Chicken, Pizza, and Pretzels
Shaq’s strategy for a long time was simple: find a product you love and buy the building. He famously loved Five Guys burgers. So, he didn't just eat them; he bought 155 of the restaurants. At one point, he owned roughly 10% of the entire company’s franchise portfolio.
He eventually sold those off, but he didn't stop.
Big Chicken is the New Flagship
While he used to be the guy buying other people's franchises, he's now the guy selling them. Big Chicken is Shaq’s pride and joy. Founded in 2018, it’s a fast-casual fried chicken joint based on his own family recipes. As of early 2026, there are over 40 locations open, including the brand-new permanent spot in Wrentham, Massachusetts that just opened this January.
They aren't just in malls, either. You’ll find Big Chicken on Carnival Cruise ships, in NHL arenas like Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, and in airports. The goal? Over 300 locations in the next few years.
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The Pizza and the Doughnut
If you live in Atlanta, there’s a decent chance Shaq owns the Papa John's you order from. He owns nine locations in the area. But his involvement went deeper than just being a franchisee; he sat on the Board of Directors and became the face of the brand when they needed a massive PR overhaul.
Then there’s the Krispy Kreme. Shaq owns the historic location on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. He literally loves doughnuts so much he bought the shop. When it caught fire a few years back, he didn't just walk away—he rebuilt it better.
A quick look at his current food portfolio:
- Big Chicken: Co-founder and majority owner (40+ locations and growing).
- Papa John’s: Owner of 9 franchises and significant shareholder.
- Krispy Kreme: Owner of the iconic Atlanta Ponce de Leon location.
- Auntie Anne’s: He famously owned 17 of these but sold his stake because, in his words, "Black people don't like pretzels that much." Gotta love the honesty.
The Secret Power Play: Authentic Brands Group
This is the part of Shaq’s wealth that most people miss. He is a major shareholder in Authentic Brands Group (ABG).
Why does that matter? Because ABG owns the intellectual property rights to basically everything you recognize. When Shaq sold the rights to his own name and likeness to ABG in 2015, he didn't just take a check. He took stock. He became the second-largest individual shareholder in the company.
Because of that deal, when you ask "what does Shaquille O'Neal own," the answer includes a piece of:
- Reebok (He’s now the President of Reebok Basketball).
- Marilyn Monroe (Yes, he owns a piece of her brand).
- Elvis Presley.
- Muhammad Ali.
- Sports Illustrated.
- Forever 21.
- Brooks Brothers.
- Quiksilver and Billabong.
Basically, every time someone buys an Elvis shirt or a pair of Forever 21 jeans, Shaq gets a tiny slice of that pie. It’s an "asset-light" business model that generates passive income while he’s asleep or DJing at a festival in Belgium.
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What Does Shaquille O'Neal Own in Tech and Fitness?
Shaq was an "accidental" early investor in Google. He was sitting in a hotel lobby, met some guys talking about a search engine, and cut a check before the IPO. That single move likely made him more money than any season he played for the Lakers.
He also had the foresight to invest in Ring (the doorbell company) before Amazon bought it for $1 billion. He saw the value, bought in, and even acted as their spokesperson.
The Fitness Empire
He’s not just "The Big Aristotle"; he’s "The Big Gym Owner." Shaq owns 40 24-Hour Fitness locations. He focuses heavily on suburban areas where people need accessible, 24-hour options.
The "Boring" Businesses
You won't see these on Instagram much, but they're incredibly stable. Shaq owns 150 car washes. Think about that. Car washes are high-margin, low-overhead businesses with consistent cash flow. It’s the ultimate "boring" investment that builds massive wealth.
He also owns:
- CityPlex12: A movie theater in his hometown of Newark, NJ.
- Shopping Centers: Various commercial real estate holdings across the south.
- Nightclubs: Several spots in Las Vegas where he occasionally performs as DJ Diesel.
Real Estate: From "Shaq-apulco" to Texas
Shaq's real estate moves are legendary, though sometimes he loses money just for the sake of moving on. He famously sold his 31,000-square-foot Florida mansion—nicknamed "Shaq-apulco"—for $11 million after it sat on the market for years.
Currently, he’s shifted his focus to Texas and Georgia.
In 2022, he bought a massive 5,200-square-foot home in Carrollton, Texas. Why? Because he’s expanding Big Chicken into the Dallas area and wanted a home base. In Georgia, he owns a massive compound in McDonough with three separate houses on the property and a private lake.
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He doesn't just buy houses to live in; he buys them where his businesses are growing.
Why His Strategy Actually Works
Most athletes go broke because they invest in "cool" things like record labels or high-end fashion boutiques that have zero staying power. Shaq does the opposite.
He follows the Jeff Bezos rule: invest in things that won't change.
People will always need to wash their cars. People will always want fried chicken. People will always need a gym.
He also refuses to endorse anything he doesn't actually use. He really does drive a (heavily modified) Buick. He really does eat at Papa John's. That authenticity is why his brands don't fail. When he bought into the Sacramento Kings (a stake he later sold in 2022), it was because he loved the game. When he bought into Vitamin Water or Muscle Milk, it was because he drank them.
Actionable Insights from the Shaq Playbook
If you’re looking to build your own "mini-Shaq" empire, here are the takeaways:
- Diversify into "Boring" Cash Flow: Everyone wants to find the next Bitcoin. Shaq found car washes. Look for businesses with high recurring demand and low tech-disruption risk.
- Equity Over Cash: When Shaq partnered with ABG, he took ownership instead of a one-time payment. If you're a creator or business owner, always look for ways to own the "rails" rather than just being the talent.
- The 50/50 Rule: Shaq famously saves half of every dollar he makes. Even now, with a net worth north of $500 million, he maintains a level of fiscal discipline that most people lose once they hit six figures.
- Invest in Your Community: His investments in Newark and Atlanta aren't just for profit; they create jobs in the places that raised him.
Shaq’s empire is a blueprint for longevity. He transitioned from being a physical force on the court to being a financial force in the boardroom by simply being himself—just on a much, much larger scale.