Big Chicken Expands Campus Footprint with Jackson State University Partnership
Event summary
- Big Chicken, part of Craveworthy Brands, opened its fourth university location at Jackson State University on September 22, 2026.
- The partnership with SodexoMAGIC brings Big Chicken's menu to the Legacy Food Court, serving over 6,000 students.
- Big Chicken now has more than 40 locations open and dozens more in development across North America.
- Jackson State is the first HBCU to offer Big Chicken, expanding its reach into historically black universities.
The big picture
Craveworthy Brands continues to grow its footprint in non-traditional venues, particularly college campuses. This expansion aligns with broader industry trends of fast-casual brands targeting younger demographics through strategic partnerships with university dining services. With over 300 locations globally, Craveworthy is leveraging its shared infrastructure to scale emerging concepts like Big Chicken, aiming to create 100,000 success stories by 2035.
What we're watching
- Market Expansion
- How Big Chicken's entry into HBCUs will affect its brand reach and market penetration.
- Operational Scaling
- Whether Craveworthy Brands can sustain the pace of opening new locations while maintaining quality.
- Competitive Positioning
- The impact of Big Chicken's presence on other fast-casual dining options at Jackson State University.
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