You might have heard that Shaq owns Papa John’s or has some shares. But is that true? Read on to learn more.
Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has an estimated net worth of around $400 million. Much of that is tied up in the ownership of a bevy of franchise restaurant units.
Does Shaquille O’NealOwn Papa John’s?
According to a form that Shaq files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, he owns the equivalent of 89723 Papa John’s shares. His nine Papa John’s pizza franchises cost around $800 thousand each. This means he has holdings worth around $7 million.
In addition, he serves as a brand ambassador for the company and has been a member of its board of directors since 2019.
Best Menu Items At Papa John’s
Here are some of the top menu items that you will find at Papa John’s.
Garden Fresh Pizza
The Garden Fresh pizza is one of the meatless specialties at Papa John’s and is proof that you do not need meat to have a flavorful pizza. It comes with fresh-cut onions, ripe black olives, crisp green peppers, tasty mozzarella cheese, vine-ripened Roma tomatoes, and mushrooms.
A bite of this tasty, tasty pizza will make you want to have more. If you are looking for something to keep you full throughout the day, this Garden Fresh pizza can be a great option. You can add some garlic parmesan crust flavoring to make it even more delicious. Your family and friends will surely love it too.
Cheese Pizza
Papa John’s Cheese Pizza is worth it. There is nothing that beats a good, old-fashioned cheese to satiate all your cravings. Although the Cheese Pizza from Papa John’s may seem boring to some pizza lovers, it is the original pizza that everyone loves and knows worldwide.
This classic Cheese Pizza is perfect by itself. You can also completely customize it. The pizza recipe calls for a wide variety of ingredients, all of which are healthy and nutritious. You can also include your desired pizza toppings. There are several pizza crust options for the Cheese Pizza, including stuffed crust, thin crust, etc.
Spicy Italian Pizza
The Spicy Italian Pizza is one of the options that may not be available to you based on location. This pizza has been discontinued at several Papa John’s locations. However, you can recreate it with the right toppings.
If you come across a Papa John’s location that still offers this Spicy Italian Pizza, make sure you order it as soon as possible. This option is the ultimate way to mix things up and bring some heat to pizza night. It comes with Papa John’s spicy Italian sausage as well as their signature, premium pepperoni. In addition, it will come with melted mozzarella cheese.
Cinnamon Pullaparts
Do you want a little bit of a sweet treat to finish up your tasty pizza dinner? If yes, the Cinnamon Pullaparts is what you have been looking for. They are delicious and will make you want to have more bites. Besides, they will ensure that you are full for the rest of the day.
They are small, bite-sized morsels of gooey, cinnamon deliciousness. The delicacy will come topped with cinnamon, cinnamon crumbles, sugar, and sweet cream cheese icing drizzled all over it. The Cinnamon Pullaparts are perfect for dessert when they are hot and fresh. They will come big enough to share with family and friends, although you will really not want to.
BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza
The BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza at Papa John’s is one of the best menu items that you should try. Any pizza lover will really love it, especially those who are big fans of barbecue. It is a wonderful mix of a wide variety of flavors that you will hardly associate with pizza.
This pizza is perfect for both dinner and breakfast. It is th type of pizza that you can eat and remain full for the rest of the day. Besides, it is packed with different flavors as well as a wide variety of nutrients with health benefits. Instead of pizza sauce, it comes with Papa John’s tangy, Smoky Southern-style BBQ sauce. Therefore, it is simply a whole different ballgame.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza
If you are one of those people who think pineapple does not belong to pizza, this Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza is going to prove you wrong. You are really going to like this delicious pizza from Papa John’s. It is a whole new take on pizza with pineapple and is perfect at any time of the day. If you are not a big fan of pineapple on a red sauce pizza, this pizza is totally different.
The Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza is made with Papa John’s signature Smoky Southern-style BBQ sauce. It is topped with fresh pineapple, onions, cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, and grilled chicken. It is a sweet, tangy, and savory blend of different flavors, all meshed into one adorable pizza.
Papa Garden Salad
The Papa Garden is one of those things that you will hope is still available at Papa John’s. It is a healthy-tasting and refreshing side dish that you should definitely try. This delicacy is perfect for night dinners with friends and family.
This Papa Garden Salad is perfect because sometimes, when you are eating something such as pizza, you will need a few veggies in order to make it feel a bit healthier. It usually comes with a traditional blend of fresh lettuce. Once you pick your choice of dressing, you will be good to go.
Pepperoni Pizza
The Pepperoni Pizza at Papa John’s does not need any introduction. It is one of the things you must try at any pizza joint if you want to find out how good the place is in general. Papa John’s has done everything to make its Pepperoni Pizza one of the best pizzas you will ever find at any pizza joint.
There Pepperoni pizza is everything that any quality Pepperoni pizza should be. They prefer simplicity and do not overdo it with pepperoni. Their pepperoni is just the right amount. They include some signature pizza as well as mozzarella cheese, which you will find on any other pizza at Papa John’s.
The Meats Pizza
Do you love meat in your diet? This pizza is the meat lovers pizza that you will come across at any other pizzeria. It is loaded with plenty of meat that you will ever want. The pizza comes with julienne-cut Canadian bacon, hickory-smoked bacon, real beef, savory sausage, and pepperoni.
In addition, there is the classic mozzarella cheese underneath the Meats Pizza. We all love mozzarella cheese, and Papa John’s The Meats Pizza has you covered. You can even add your favorite toppings to this delicious pizza.
Zesty Italian Trio Pizza
This Zesty Italian Trio Pizza is one of the favorites on Papa John’s menu. It is a perfect option for those looking for something with more zing to it. First, it has a trio of meats. You will find salami, Italian sausage, and pepperoni on this pie. Another thing that you will like about this delicious pizza is the banana peppers. The addition adds the right amount of acidity that will break up the otherwise oily and meat-heavy dish.
The Zesty Italian Trio Pizza also comes with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning that will add to it an extra level of interest. It is one of the best options at Papa John’s as it features a veggie. It is the kind of pizza that will make you want to have more. You can have this pizza in the morning, and it will surely keep you full for the rest of the day. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy the pizza with your family and friends.
What Other Food Franchises Does Shaquille O’Neal Own
Besides Papa John’s, Shaq owns a few other food franchises. Here are some of them.
Auntie Anne’s
Auntie Anne’s was established in 1988 and has around 2000 units in transportation hubs and shopping centers worldwide. They have tantalizingly aromatic soft pretzels that anyone will like. The brand also offers beverages, pretzel dogs, and pretzel bites.
Shaq reportedly owns nine locations in Michigan. He also has eight in Buffalo, N.Y. The cost of opening a single Auntie Anne’s is around $385000. This brings Shaq’s investment to around $6.5 million.
Krispy Kreme
Shaq has a Krispy Kreme franchise in Atlanta. The franchise is known for its fresh hot doughnuts. They also have soft-serve ice cream, cold and hot beverages, and various shakes. Shaq told The Wall Street Journal that this is his favorite business endeavor.
Big Chicken
Shaq is the majority owner of the Big Chicken restaurant, which he founded in 2018. The restaurant specializes in mega-sized chicken sandwiches bulked up with items like cheese, macaroni, and coleslaw.
A popular menu item at Big Chicken is Uncle Jerome. It includes mayo, hot chicken, pickles, and lettuce. The menu is named after Shaq’s childhood friend.
Conclusion
You are now answered if you have been asking yourself whether or not Shaq owns Papa John’s. The former NBA star has shares in the franchise. He also owns a few other franchises, including Big Chicken, Auntie Anne’s, and Krispy Kreme.
