SAN PEDRO SULA & LA CEIBA, Honduras — The global expansion of celebrity-backed dining concepts continues to gain momentum as Shaquille O’Neal brings his fast-growing restaurant brand, Big Chicken, to Central America for the first time.

Founded in 2018, Big Chicken has quickly built a reputation for blending comfort food favorites with bold, modern flavors—and now it’s making its mark in Honduras with the opening of two new locations in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba.

A Strategic Central American Launch

The new restaurants—located at Plaza Masdeval in San Pedro Sula and Plaza Corvey in La Ceiba—represent a significant milestone in the brand’s international growth strategy. Both cities offer strong economic and cultural appeal:

• San Pedro Sula serves as Honduras’ industrial and commercial hub
• La Ceiba is a vibrant coastal destination known for tourism and Caribbean energy

Together, they provide an ideal entry point for a brand built around high-energy dining and community engagement.

The expansion is led by international franchise operator Thomas Talarico, CEO of BLT UK Holdings Limited, who is spearheading Big Chicken’s rollout across the region. Following Honduras, plans are already in motion for additional locations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama.

What’s on the Menu?

Big Chicken’s Honduras menu delivers the same fan-favorite offerings that have fueled its success in North America, including:

• Signature sandwiches like “The Original” and “The Shaq Attack”
• Crispy chicken tenders and “Dunks” (bite-sized chicken pieces)
• Hand-spun milkshakes and indulgent sides
• New “Shaq Snacks,” featuring tenders paired with garlic toast and bold toppings

In a move tailored to local tastes, the brand also plans to introduce limited-time menu items inspired by Honduran flavors, blending global appeal with regional culinary identity.

Riding the Fast-Casual Boom

Big Chicken’s expansion comes at a time when the Latin American fast-casual dining sector is experiencing rapid growth. Industry projections estimate the market will surpass $70 billion by 2026, driven by increasing demand for convenient, high-quality dining options.

The brand’s strategy—combining recognizable celebrity influence, scalable franchising, and localized menu innovation—positions it well to compete in this evolving market.

More Than Just a Celebrity Brand

While Shaquille O’Neal’s name brings instant recognition, Big Chicken’s leadership emphasizes that its long-term success hinges on more than star power. CEO Josh Halpern highlighted the importance of local partnerships and community-driven experiences as key to the brand’s international growth.

With more than 40 locations already operating across North America and beyond—and dozens more in development—Big Chicken is rapidly evolving into a global fast-casual contender.

The Bigger Picture

From arenas and airports to cruise ships and now Central American city centers, Big Chicken’s footprint continues to expand across diverse markets. Its arrival in Honduras signals not just a new dining option for local communities, but also a broader trend: the globalization of American fast-casual brands with localized twists.

As the brand builds momentum across the Americas, one thing is clear—Big Chicken is betting big on flavor, fun, and international growth.

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Related Links

Big Chicken Official Website
Franchise Opportunities

Source

• Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Touches Down in Central America with Honduras Debut — PR Newswire (Craveworthy Brands), March 18, 2026

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Downtown Long Beach is getting a flavorful new addition as The Bascom Group announces a lease agreement bringing San Diego’s popular sports bar chain Dirty Birds to a prime retail space at 200 Pine Avenue.

The deal marks another milestone in the ongoing revitalization of Long Beach, particularly within its bustling downtown entertainment corridor.

A Prime Location in the Heart of Downtown

The newly leased space spans 3,039 square feet on the ground floor of 200 Pine Avenue, a six-story office tower that has undergone significant renovations in recent years. The building, a recognizable fixture in the downtown skyline, includes:

• Class “A” upgraded common areas
• A 123-stall parking structure
• Strong tenant retention history
• Existing retail neighbors like Agaves Kitchen & Tequila and Agaves Ultra Lounge

An additional 4,923-square-foot lower-level space remains available and is already attracting interest for a potential speakeasy-style nightclub concept.

Dirty Birds Brings Its Signature Energy North

Founded in San Diego, Dirty Birds has built a loyal following as a high-energy sports bar known for:

• Award-winning chicken wings with unique flavors like Dirty Blue and Apple Bourbon Chipotle
• A lively, fan-focused atmosphere filled with sports memorabilia
• A diverse menu including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and craft beer

With multiple locations across San Diego neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and near San Diego State University, the brand has established itself as a go-to destination for sports fans.

Its expansion into Long Beach represents a strategic move into a rapidly growing urban market.

Downtown Long Beach’s Ongoing Transformation

The arrival of Dirty Birds reflects broader momentum in downtown Long Beach, fueled by public and private investment. According to Bascom leadership, the area is experiencing a surge in activity driven by:

• Community events like the DTLB Live! series
• Streetscape and public space improvements
• Increased residential and mixed-use development

Nearby landmarks include:

• Billie Jean King Main Library
• Long Beach City Hall
• Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

The location also benefits from excellent transit access, including proximity to the Metro A Line.

Olympic Spotlight and Future Growth

Looking ahead, Long Beach is poised for global attention as a key venue city for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The city is expected to host 11 sporting events, making it one of the most active Olympic hubs outside Los Angeles itself.

This global spotlight is accelerating over $1.7 billion in development projects, including:

• Waterfront transformations
• Expanded residential housing
• Infrastructure upgrades through the Elevate 28 program

What This Means for Long Beach

The addition of Dirty Birds is more than just a new restaurant—it’s another indicator of a city on the rise. As downtown Long Beach continues to evolve into a vibrant live-work-play destination, high-profile tenants like Dirty Birds help:

• Strengthen the local economy
• Enhance nightlife and dining options
• Attract both residents and visitors

With an anticipated opening later this year, Dirty Birds is set to become a new hotspot for sports fans and food lovers alike.

Related Links

• 200 Pine Avenue Property Details
• LoopNet Listing for 200 Pine Avenue
• The Bascom Group Official Website
• Downtown Long Beach Plan

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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Limited-edition frozen drink brings the classic Creamsicle flavor back in a blend-it-yourself format at convenience stores, campuses, and theaters nationwide

Fans of nostalgic frozen treats have a new option this spring. f’real and Good Humor have teamed up to launch a limited-edition Orange Creamsicle Milkshake, a frozen drink inspired by the classic Good Humor Creamsicle Bar.

Available for a limited time, the new f’real Orange Creamsicle Milkshake blends orange and vanilla cream flavors into a sippable frozen drink made with real milk. The concept is simple: take a familiar warm-weather favorite and turn it into a quick, customizable treat for people on the go.

A Familiar Flavor, Reworked for Convenience

The product leans on a flavor combination many consumers already know well. Orange and vanilla have long been tied to the Creamsicle name, and that built-in recognition gives the launch an advantage in a crowded frozen novelty market.

Instead of offering another traditional frozen bar, the companies are betting on format. The milkshake uses f’real’s self-serve blending system, which lets customers grab a cup from the freezer, remove the lid, and blend it in-store in under a minute. Three thickness settings add a level of customization that fits with current demand for quick, personalized snack options.

Where to Find the Orange Creamsicle Milkshake

The Orange Creamsicle Milkshake is now available at retail locations nationwide, including convenience stores, college campuses, and movie theaters. Participating retailers include Kwik Trip, Sheetz, Circle K, Yesway, RaceTrac, Weigel’s, and Royal Farms. The suggested retail price for the 12-ounce milkshake is $3.99.

For consumers wondering where to buy the f’real Orange Creamsicle Milkshake, the company says its store locator can help shoppers find a blender nearby.

Why This Release Stands Out

This launch lands at a time when nostalgic flavors continue to show up across food and beverage categories. That does not guarantee success, but it does give brands a ready-made hook with consumers who respond to familiar tastes tied to memory and seasonality.

The partnership also makes sense on a branding level. Good Humor brings a century-old frozen treat identity, while f’real brings a format built around convenience-store traffic, impulse purchases, and quick preparation. Together, they are not reinventing the category so much as repackaging a recognizable flavor in a way that feels current.

For shoppers, the appeal is straightforward: a classic orange-and-vanilla flavor in milkshake form, available for a limited time during spring. Whether that is enough to turn the product into a seasonal hit remains to be seen, but the nostalgia factor gives it a strong starting point.

Source:
PR Newswire press release from f’real, issued March 23, 2026.

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Related external links:

• f’real
• Good Humor
• Rich Products