BEVERLY — A second location of a fried chicken chain founded by NBA star Shaquille O’Neal is coming to the North Shore.
Local entrepreneur Barry Lattuca will open a Big Chicken restaurant in North Beverly Plaza late this year after the chain opened its first store in Massachusetts at the Northshore Mall in Peabody last year.
Big Chicken was first opened in 2018 by the Hall of Famer in a partnership with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group. The casual dining restaurant features O’Neal’s favorite childhood meals that are cooked up with modern flavors, including crispy chicken sandwiches and ice cream shakes.
The new location at 19 Dodge St. is Lattuca’s second with the franchise, which has more than 40 locations around the country and 350 more in development, according to a statement from the brand.
“Beverly is a vibrant, seaside community with an incredible energy, and Big Chicken’s vibrant brand will fit right in,” Lattuca said in the statement. “This coastal town is the perfect spot for Shaq-sized flavor and fun. Our team is looking forward to welcoming Beverly residents in for a truly BIG experience, full of warm hospitality and even better taste!”
This isn’t the only piece of fried-chicken news on the North Shore this year. The area’s first Raising Cane’s is opening along Route 1 in Saugus in early June and developers plan to create the first local stand-alone storefront of Chick-fil-A where The Friendly Toast currently stands across from the Liberty Mall in Danvers.
The Friendly Toast is expected to move to another spot nearby, but a new location has not yet been announced.
Contact Caroline Enos a CEnos@northofboston.com.