You probably know him as the guy who used to tear down backboards or the hilarious giant on Inside the NBA. But honestly, the most impressive thing about Shaquille O'Neal isn't his four championship rings—it's what he's done with his money since hanging up the jersey. If you’ve ever wondered what brands does Shaq own, get ready, because the list is kind of mind-blowing.
He isn't just a "spokesman" for some of these companies. He’s the boss. While most retired athletes end up broke or just doing local car commercials, Shaq basically became a conglomerate.
The Authentic Brands Group Power Move
This is the big one that most people miss. Shaq isn't just an investor in individual stores; he's the second-largest individual shareholder in Authentic Brands Group (ABG). This matters because ABG owns the intellectual property rights to some of the biggest names in history.
When you buy a pair of Reebok sneakers or a Champion hoodie, you're putting money in Shaq's pocket. He literally helped push ABG to buy Reebok back from Adidas because he wanted to "save the brand" he wore as a rookie.
Through his stake in ABG, Shaq technically co-owns:
- Forever 21
- Brooks Brothers
- Barneys New York
- Juicy Couture
- Nautica
- Aeropostale
- Eddie Bauer
- Spyder
He even owns a piece of the estates of legends like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Think about that for a second. Every time someone buys an Elvis keychain in Memphis, Shaq gets a tiny slice of that pie. He once told an interviewer that he saw how these icons "lived forever" through their brands and he wanted the same for himself.
The Fast Food King (And Why He Sold Five Guys)
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Shaq still owns 155 Five Guys locations. He doesn't. He did—at one point he owned about 10% of the entire company—but he sold them off around 2016. It wasn't because the business was bad; it was just time to diversify.
Nowadays, his food empire looks a bit different. He’s heavily involved with Papa John’s, sitting on their board of directors and owning nine franchises in the Atlanta area. He even has his own signature pizza, the "Shaq-a-Roni."
Then there’s his own baby: Big Chicken. This is a fast-casual chain he co-founded in 2018. It’s growing like crazy. As of 2026, there are dozens of locations open across the country, with hundreds more in the development pipeline. You’ll find them in arenas, on Carnival Cruise ships, and in suburban strip malls.
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Gyms, Car Washes, and the Boring Stuff That Makes Bank
Shaq has this philosophy: invest in things that people use every day. He’s got about 150 car washes. Think about it. Everyone needs to wash their car, right? It’s a steady, boring, cash-flow machine.
He also owns around 40 24-Hour Fitness locations. He likes the fitness space because it aligns with his "Big Diesel" brand, but also because it’s a membership-based model that brings in recurring revenue.
A Quick Look at the Portfolio:
- Krispy Kreme: He owns a historic location in Atlanta (the one on Ponce de Leon Ave) and has expressed interest in owning more.
- Auntie Anne’s: He used to own 17 of these, though he has trimmed down some of these mall-based holdings recently.
- The General & Icy Hot: While he’s the face of these brands, these are mostly massive endorsement deals with equity components rather than 100% ownership.
- Shaq Brand: His own line of affordable sneakers sold at Walmart. He famously turned down a $40 million Reebok deal years ago because a mother told him his shoes were too expensive. He decided to make high-quality shoes that kids could actually afford.
Why Shaq’s Strategy Actually Works
Most people think Shaq just buys everything, but he’s actually pretty picky. He has a "Simple Man" rule. If he doesn't understand the product, or if he wouldn't use it himself, he doesn't invest. He passed on Starbucks early on because he didn't drink coffee (a move he says he regrets, but hey, you can't win them all).
He was an early investor in Google before it went public. He’s got stakes in Apple, PepsiCo, and Ring (which Amazon bought for a billion dollars). He even has a minority stake in NRG Esports.
The guy is basically a walking venture capital firm disguised as a 7-foot-1 comedian.
What You Can Learn From the Big Diesel
If you're looking to build your own "empire" (even if it's just a small side hustle), Shaq’s approach is actually a great blueprint.
- Invest in what you know. Don't chase crypto or "get rich quick" schemes if you don't understand the tech. Shaq buys pizza and car washes because they make sense to him.
- Equity is better than a paycheck. Instead of just taking a fee to be in a commercial, Shaq often asks for a seat at the table or a piece of the company.
- Diversify your risk. He sold Five Guys to fund Big Chicken. He balanced high-growth tech (Google) with stable cash-flow (car washes).
If you want to follow in his footsteps, start by looking at the brands you already use and love. Check if they offer franchise opportunities or if you can buy stock in them. You might not be able to buy 155 burger joints tomorrow, but owning a tiny piece of a brand you believe in is how the Big Diesel started his journey from the court to the boardroom.
To see the latest moves Shaq is making in the business world, you should keep an eye on Authentic Brands Group's quarterly acquisitions, as they are currently aggressive in the European retail market.