Latest news with #BigChicken
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Carnival Cruise Line makes clear call on Costco, dining change
Carnival Cruise Line has an impressive array of free food options including some restaurants from big-name celebrities. You can get chicken from Shaq's Big Chicken on many ships. And, while the basketball great does not have a major reputation in the culinary world, his fried chicken chain has been positively reviewed. Related: Cruises to popular port may cost more as city hikes docking fees Guy Fieri, on the other hand, is one of the most famous chefs in the world. His. Guy's Burgers are literally on every carnival cruise ship. The "Mayor of Flavortown" actually has a pretty spotty record when it comes to land based restaurants, but cruisers seem to love his onboard burgers. But no matter how many free offerings a cruise line has, some people always want more. Most carnival ships also offer free Mexican as well as free pizza until midnight. After midnight, the cruise line offers a sort of buffet that changes nightly. Passengers have been very mixed on the quality of that buffet and many do not appreciate the sheet pizza that's offered instead of the traditional handmade pizza. The cruise line used to serve until 2 a.m. Now, the Cruz light has been asked about adding another culinary delight from a brand that that's already a partner. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald gets a lot of crazy requests. In many cases, people like to make really broad statements that may or may not be true. "Every American eats biscuits and gravy for breakfast every morning" has been a popular sentiment shared with him often. In many cases, people like to be more dismissive. "You may not know this because you're British, but all Americans brush their teeth with Tabasco sauce and it should be provided in every room." Requests like that usually get shouted down by Heald's audience, but sometimes he responds when he gets a more rational question (even if it's overstated). "John was thinking of the Street Eats you have on the Jubilee. What's missing is Costco Rotisserie chicken. Have you tried this John? It is the most popular chicken in America, The entirety of the meat is moist-both the light and the dark. I know this would be an awesome collab to have for Carnival. It would bring new cruisers to Carnival," wrote an unnamed poster on Heald's Facebook page. The "most popular chicken in America" line can be heavily debated, but Costco does sell a lot of chicken. Heald was blunt in his answer. "I am sure that this chicken is excellent but is it really going to bring in new cruisers? Who needs rollercoasters, water parks, brilliant friendly crew if you have a rotating chicken," he wrote before making a joke. "By the way, I bought a chicken earlier to make some sandwiches.. biggest waste of time! Just runs round the kitchen clucking and crapping on the floor." Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Most of the over 200 comments on Heald's page seem to be supportive of the idea that Costco chicken may be great, but it's not needed on a Carnival cruise. "Yes nothing will bring customers to a cruise line like offering Costco chicken," wrote Mandy Forbes. Leslie Lasage Babineaux agreed with that sentiment. "OMG YES. Costco chicken is exactly what is missing from Carnival Cruise Line. Genius marketing strategy! (Slaps forehead)," she posted. LK Gardiner was even more dismissive. "Good Morning John. Please don't bother with the Costco, Walmart. Sam's Club or any other grocery chain rotisserie chicken. I can get them every day of the week," they shared. Paul Kitchens-Fredeen had more fun with the idea. "And while you're at it, add one of those rollers that the gas station has to let us grab taquitos," he added. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Sky News
08-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
A ban on chlorinated chicken has protected farmers, but it's protected UK consumers too
Why has there been such a flap about chlorinated chicken? In American abattoirs, it is standard practice designed to reduce levels of bacteria like salmonella and campylobacter - the leading source of foodborne illness in the US, as well as here in the UK. The chlorine wash itself is not the problem. Numerous studies have shown trace amounts of chlorine on meat pose no risk to health, and we consume far more in our tap water every day than we would get from eating it. Instead, the argument behind the ban on chlorination here in the UK and Europe is that it can cover up poor hygiene standards during the rearing or slaughtering of chickens. 1:29 During trade negotiations, the US has long argued that it is just an excuse for protectionism - a reason to keep significantly cheaper US chicken out of British supermarkets and restaurants. But the main reason American chicken is cheaper than ours comes down to animal welfare standards. In the UK, for example, there are legal limits on the number of birds that can be crammed into a shed. In the US, there are none - at a federal level at least. The same goes for lighting and bedding material, also key for healthy, happy chickens. With higher stocking densities, lower costs for lighting, bedding and being able to use antibiotics to boost growth - also banned here in the UK - Big Chicken in America can produce more meat at much lower cost. A ban on chlorinated chicken has effectively kept cheaper, lower-welfare chicken out of the UK for decades. The US and free market campaigners aren't wrong: it has protected our farmers from competition.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Craveworthy Brands to Become Managing Partner and Investor of Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken
Star-Powered Fast-Casual Chicken Concept Founded by Hall of Fame Basketball Star to Join Craveworthy Brands' Robust Portfolio Multi-Brand Platform Company Prepares to Lead Big Chicken's Restaurant Operations, Powering its Future Success and Legacy CHICAGO, March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Craveworthy Brands ("Craveworthy,") the innovative multi-restaurant platform company, will become a managing partner, investor and stakeholder of Big Chicken, the award-winning and acclaimed fast casual chicken brand founded by Hall of Fame basketball player, Shaquille O'Neal. In addition to the new Craveworthy investment and management role, Big Chicken is backed by O'Neal, JRS Hospitality ("JRS") and Authentic Brands Group ("ABG"), the renowned brand management company. Current Big Chicken CEO Josh Halpern will continue overseeing the Brand, working alongside Craveworthy Brands CEO and Founder Gregg Majewski to drive growth at Big Chicken and across the broader Craveworthy portfolio. Big Chicken will join Craveworthy's robust portfolio of 15 brands that operate in various culinary segments including chicken, contributing to the collective growth of its family of brands. Leading operational initiatives and leveraging its proven playbook throughout Big Chicken's locations, Craveworthy will focus on driving long-term growth and reinforcing the Brand's distinctively energetic "Big Flavor. Big Food. Big Fun." guest experience. In collaboration with O'Neal, JRS and ABG, Craveworthy will manage and provide expertise across key functions such as operations, training, supply chain management, culinary development and customer service, while the Brand retains its core identity. Its deep bench of accomplished restaurants operations leaders and the power of its platform model pairs well with Big Chicken to optimize performance and fuel continued growth at all levels. With 40-plus locations open and more than 350 in development, Big Chicken continues to grow globally, bringing its signature bold flavors and Shaq-sized personality to guests everywhere. The Big Chicken menu features today's trending bold flavors, while also paying homage to many of O'Neal's favorite home-cooked childhood favorites. Beyond its treasured chicken sandwich and tenders line-up, the menu includes Lucille's Mac N' Cheese (mother), Shakes and Wings, all key aspects of O'Neal's personal and professional lives. The alignment between the two companies will further Big Chicken's commitment to innovation and streamlined processes, while also leveraging shared resources to strengthen market position and franchise expansion. Leadership Commentary "This one-of-a-kind opportunity truly embodies the mission behind why I founded Craveworthy—to build a full-stack platform that aligns with top brands like Big Chicken and infuses broad-reaching support through proven systems and support to thrive in the evolving restaurant industry," said Majewski. "I'm excited to team up with Gregg and the Craveworthy team. It's a marriage of two BIG time talented organizations," said Halpern, the brand's first and only CEO and the architect of its impressive franchise growth. "Gregg and I have a strong professional relationship and he's the type of leader we'll match with well. I feel fantastic about our future." Majewski added, "As investors, managing partners and leaders in restaurant operations, we're going to fully leverage the Craveworthy team's deep industry expertise to propel Big Chicken to new heights, all while preserving what makes the Brand so unique to its loyal guests." "We believe the combination of a great brand and a great operator in Gregg's a unique opportunity for us as investors. Shaquille O'Neal himself is an iconic brand and Big Chicken will become the iconic chicken sandwich," said Lee Larson, CEO and Founder of Everstar Asset Management ("Everstar.") "By applying our platform's operational excellence and strategic growth strategies, we're ready to take the next step in shaping Big Chicken's bright future—expanding the Brand's reach, elevating the guest experience and driving innovation on all fronts to ensure its continued resilience, success and legacy for years to come," concluded Majewski. "The drive and determination that runs throughout Big Chicken mirrors what I've seen within the entire Craveworthy organization," added Halpern. "It's the right time to go even BIGGER with the brand, so this is an incredible step forward for the entire brand ecosystem. Let's gooo!" Transaction Advisors and Partners Everstar serves as a valued strategic advisor to Craveworthy and has invested through Everstar Funds in both Craveworthy and the newly formed partnership with Big Chicken. Everstar is the manager for a private investment fund and offers actively managed portfolios for institutions and high-net-worth clients. Entrepreneur and Super Bowl Champion Ndamukong Suh is an active investor in the newly cultivated partnership with Big Chicken and partner in Craveworthy. Suh is a steadfast believer in the Company's vision and his commitment will help fuel its continued growth and innovation. To learn more about Craveworthy Brands, please visit To learn more about Big Chicken, please visit ABOUT CRAVEWORTHY BRANDSCraveworthy Brands, the parent company of Shaquille O'Neal-founded Big Chicken, Bd's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Fresh Brothers Pizza, Genghis Grill, Hot Chicken Takeover, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Nomad Dawgs, Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin' Ed's, Sigri Indian BBQ, Soom Soom Mediterranean, taim Mediterranean Kitchen, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On!, is dedicated to invigorating and supercharging legacy brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. The company brings together diverse, yet complementary brands and an accomplished, veteran leadership team in the growing culinary space. In addition to building and operating leading restaurant brands, Craveworthy Brands is active in the communities it serves and creates exciting career opportunities for its team members. Bridging the distinctive individuality of its concepts with a shared culture and spirit of collaboration, the Company's goal is to create truly unique and craveworthy experiences every day, every shift and at every turn. Learn more about Craveworthy and its brands at ABOUT BIG CHICKEN Founded in 2018, Big Chicken is backed by a dream team of partners; JRS Hospitality, an accomplished Las Vegas-based ownership group; Authentic Brands Group, a multi-national, multi-billion-dollar brand development, marketing and entertainment company; and Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. In early 2025, Craveworthy Brands, a leading, multi-brand restaurant platform company, made a strategic investment in the Brand, which included managing operational control. Big Chicken fuses O'Neal's home-cooked childhood favorites with today's trending flavors. From crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders to Cheez-It® crusted Mac n' Cheese and hand-crafted ice cream shakes, each menu item tells a story all while offering guests an inside look into the life and personality of Shaquille O'Neal. With several traditional locations currently open and in the development pipeline, Big Chicken is prepped to begin U.S. and international expansion through franchising. To learn more about Big Chicken, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Craveworthy Brands
