-Courtesy of Cashman & Associates
Big Chicken, the star-powered chicken concept founded by legendary basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is taking a bite into the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) with its first-ever Philadelphia location, slated to open early Spring 2023 at The Concourse at Comcast Center.
OVG Hospitality – the food and beverage division of global sports and entertainment company Oak View Group – will oversee operations at this new location. The team at Brûlée Catering, the local catering arm of OVG Hospitality, will manage day-to-day operations.
”OVG Hospitality has a long-standing partnership with the Big Chicken team,” Ken Gaber, President of OVG Hospitality, said. “Their delicious chicken sandwiches are already available at several OVG-managed arenas across the nation, from Seattle and Palm Springs to Tempe and Austin and most recently Baltimore, so opening up a Big Chicken in Philadelphia was a natural next step. We’re excited to introduce Philadelphians to Big Chicken and hope they come with a BIG appetite.”
Diners can expect mouth-watering chicken sandwiches and more of Shaquille’s home-cooked childhood favorites. Offerings will include Big Chicken’s signature 5 oz. chicken sandwiches – including the “M.D.E. Chicken” (Shaq sauce, chicken breast and B&B pickles), “Uncle Jerome” (Nashville hot chicken, mayo and pickles) and the “Big & Sloppy” (mac & cheese, chicken breast, crispy fried onions and roasted garlic bbq aioli), a selection of savory sides – like “Lucille’s Mac N’ Cheese” with a special Cheez-It® crust, and a variety of sweets – such as “The Big Cookie,” a chocolate chip cookie the circumference of an official NBA basketball. That’s a 29.5” cookie!
“Philadelphia’s Comcast Center Campus is a dynamic, major hub and we’re thrilled to bring BIG flavor, BIG food and BIG fun to the diverse selection of world-class dining located in The Concourse,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Oak View Group and Comcast for the opportunity to launch our first Philadelphia location in such an iconic site.”
OVG Hospitality also manages food and beverage at Subaru Park, The Met, Atlantic City Convention Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Liacouras Center at Temple University, National Constitution Center, Museum of American Revolution, Rothman Cabin, and many more local institutions. Last month, OVG Hospitality launched its new nationwide Advisory Council with Shaquille O’Neal, Giada De Laurentiis and Trisha Yearwood – the trio tasked with creative thinking around menu design and expansion, the elevation of premium fare, local food sourcing, and opportunities for community impact across the 350-plus venues where OVG Hospitality manages food and beverage.
Currently, Big Chicken has 18 open locations across the country – from Kansas City, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, Las Vegas and more – inclusive of six sports arenas, one airport terminal and three Carnival Cruise ships. Big Chicken at The Concourse Comcast will be open Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm. Big Chicken is the latest new tenant announcement for The Concourse Comcast, which is quickly becoming a dining destination for those seeking gourmet-on-the-go and dine-in cuisine by award winning and celebrity Chef talent.
Within the Comcast Center Campus, Big Chicken is accompanied by Iron Chef Jose Garces (Buena Onda at Concourse at Comcast Center); James Beard Award Winners Marc Vetri (Pizzeria Salvy at Concourse at Comcast Technology Center – coming Spring 2023), Greg Vernick (Vernick Fish and Vernick Coffee Bar at Comcast Technology Center) and Stephen Starr (Café Click at Comcast Center Plaza); the iconic Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Jean-Georges and JG Skyhigh at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia); and additional local favorites Di Bruno Bros, Termini Brothers, Karma Restaurant (opening March 2023), Philly Steak Co and more.
For more information about The Concourse at Comcast Center and to stay up to date on new openings, follow @theconcoursecomcast on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Comcast Center Campus and to plan your next visit, go to http://www.comcastcentercampus.com or follow @comcastcentercampus.
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