Papa John’s and NBA great Shaquille O’Neal are just beginning their partnership. In addition to being a board member, he will serve as a brand ambassador for the pizza chain. He also invested in nine Atlanta-area restaurants, including one newly remodeled location featuring design elements selected by Shaq himself.
Read more about the deal here.
Here’s a look at the unit. The Big Mozzarella? Has a nice ring to it.
Here’s a look at the location before Shaq got his (giant) hands on the design plans.
The 990 State Street NW store located on Georgia Tech’s main campus is near the TNT Studios where Shaq films during the NBA season. Customers can expect to see subtle elements designed by Shaq, such as basketball-inspired pizza art, O’Neal’s signature and footprints, and a custom “444-SHAQ” phone number.
The investment in nine Atlanta-based Papa John’s franchises further signals Shaq’s desire to be a “triple threat” for the company, he said, as board of directors member, soon-to-be brand ambassador, and now, a franchise investor.
“I am thrilled to be taking my investment in Papa John’s to the next level,” Shaq says. “My investment shows my commitment to the company and was a natural fit. I’ve been a fan of Papa John’s pizza since my days playing basketball at LSU. I could not be prouder of what we have in store for Atlanta as we strive to deliver the city a great pizza experience.”