Shaquille O’Neal had a funny moment at one of his Big Chicken restaurants when a cashier appeared completely unfazed by the NBA legend handing over a $100 bill. Instead of recognizing the boss and waving it through, the employee held the bill up to the ceiling lights to check if it was real before accepting it.
Is Shaq’s Money Good?
The video, which originally surfaced around December 2025 and began making the rounds again in April 2026 after Basketball Network highlighted it, quickly sparked reactions online. Some people found the moment hilarious, while others said the cashier was simply doing his job. Many argued that even though Shaq is the co-founder and public face of Big Chicken, he should be treated like any other customer when it comes to handling cash.
Regardless, Shaq handled the moment with humor. The only verified quote from the interaction is:
“I know you didn’t just check my money. It’s all good, I don’t want no problems,” Shaq said. “Checking my money at my restaurant. Things that make me go hmmm…”
The brand has continued to expand despite minor setbacks, including recent closures in some markets while still opening new locations in others.
Big Chicken’s growth is part of Shaq’s business strategy focused on long-term diversification across food, entertainment, and branding ventures.
According to Benzinga, Shaq, whose net worth is estimated to be $500 million, previously owned 155 Five Guys franchises before selling them to free up capital. He later used that flexibility to invest in Big Chicken and other ventures like Papa John’s.
Big Chicken, launched by Shaq in 2018, has expanded across multiple U.S. markets, but like most franchise brands, it has also seen a mix of openings and closures depending on location performance and operators. They can be found in California, Washington, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Shaq’s business portfolio also extends beyond food.
He has taken on leadership roles in sports and branding ventures, including serving as president of Reebok Basketball, where he works alongside fellow NBA legend Allen Iverson, who serves as vice president, in shaping the brand’s basketball direction.
