If you’re craving crispy chicken sandwiches or Cheez-It-crusted mac and cheese, you probably want one thing first. You want to know the Big Chicken hours for today. This full guide will help you plan your visit the smart way, so you don’t drive over for nothing.
Big Chicken is the fast-casual restaurant chain co-founded by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. It’s known for bold fried chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken tenders, chicken and waffles, and big, fun comfort food. It has grown fast since it opened. But here’s the thing about a fast-growing chain like this one. Not every location opens and closes at the same time.
In this guide, we’ll break down typical hours, holiday hours, special location hours, and answer the most common questions people search for. Let’s dig in.
Why Big Chicken’s Hours Are Not the Same Everywhere
Big Chicken isn’t just one restaurant. It’s a chain with locations spread across the whole country. You’ll find it in strip malls, sports arenas, airports, military bases, office buildings, and even on Carnival cruise ships.
That means the hours can look really different depending on where you go. A regular sit-down restaurant location might open early and close late. But a location inside a sports arena? It might only open on game days.
For example, one Big Chicken spot inside an office food hall was open only on weekdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile, a standalone Las Vegas location stays open every single day, from 10:30 a.m. until 10 or 11 p.m.
So before you head out, it’s smart to double-check your specific store. Below, we’ll show you exactly how.
Big Chicken Opening Hours (Standalone Locations)
Most standalone Big Chicken restaurants, meaning ones that are not inside an arena, airport, or office building, tend to follow a similar weekly pattern. Here is a simple table showing typical hours based on real store listings.
| Day | Typical Opening Time | Typical Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. |
A few quick notes on this table:
- Some locations open right at 10:00 a.m. every day. Others wait until 10:30 a.m.
- Friday and Saturday nights are usually the latest closing times. Some stores stay open until 11:00 p.m.
- Sunday hours are often a little shorter than the rest of the week.
- This table is a general pattern, not a guarantee. Your local Big Chicken could be slightly different.
Big Chicken opearting Hours by Location Type
Because Big Chicken operates in so many different kinds of spaces, one single hours chart won’t cover everything. Here’s a breakdown by location type.
| Location Type | General Hours Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone restaurant | ~10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily | Most consistent hours, open 7 days a week |
| Strip mall / shopping center | ~10:00 a.m. – 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. | May follow center’s general operating hours |
| Sports arena / stadium | Varies by event schedule | Often only open on game days or event nights |
| Airport terminal | Early morning to late night | Usually follows the airport’s own hours |
| Cruise ship | Set by ship’s daily schedule | Not a normal clock-based schedule |
| Office building / food hall | Weekdays only, shorter hours | Example: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., closed weekends |
| Military base | Varies by base rules | May require base access to visit |
If you’re planning to visit a Big Chicken inside one of these unique spots, don’t assume it follows the “normal” restaurant schedule. Always check ahead, especially for arena and office locations.
Does Big Chicken Open Early for Breakfast?
No. Big Chicken is not a breakfast spot. Most locations open around 10:00 a.m., which lines up with lunchtime, not breakfast time. If you’re hoping for an early morning bite, this isn’t the place. It’s built for lunch, dinner, and quick casual meals throughout the day.
Does Big Chicken Have Late-Night Hours?
Not really. Big Chicken is more of a lunch-and-dinner spot. Most locations close by 9 or 10 p.m., with a few staying open until 11 p.m. on weekends.
If you’re a late-night snacker, this might not be your go-to fast casual restaurant after midnight. It’s better for lunch runs, family dinners, or a weekend chicken and waffles treat with the kids.
Big Chicken Holiday Hours
Like most fast casual restaurants, Big Chicken locations often change their hours around major holidays. This is common across the whole restaurant industry, not just at Big Chicken. Since it’s a franchise-style chain, each store owner can set their own holiday schedule.
Here is a general table of what tends to happen around major holidays. Remember, this can still vary store to store.
| Holiday | Typical Status |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open, but often with shorter or later hours |
| Easter Sunday | Closed or open with reduced hours at many locations |
| Memorial Day | Usually open with regular hours |
| July 4th (Independence Day) | Often open, but may adjust based on local events |
| Labor Day | Usually open with regular hours |
| Halloween | Usually open with regular hours |
| Thanksgiving Day | Many locations closed or close early |
| Christmas Eve | Often closes a few hours earlier than usual |
| Christmas Day | Most locations closed |
| New Year’s Eve | May close earlier than normal closing time |
Because holiday hours change so much by location, the safest move is always to check your specific store’s hours a day or two before the holiday. A quick phone call or Google search can save you a wasted trip on a day when you’re already busy with family plans.
Doing a quick check before you leave the house can save you a wasted trip, especially on weekends or holidays when hours shift the most.
Is Big Chicken Open on Sundays?
Yes, most Big Chicken locations are open on Sundays. Many run from around 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. But like everything else in this guide, it’s smart to confirm your local store’s Sunday hours first, since some smaller or mall-based locations may have shorter Sunday hours.
Tips for Planning Your Big Chicken Visit
A few simple habits can save you time and frustration:
- Check hours the night before, not right when you’re already hungry and in the car.
- If it’s a holiday week, call ahead instead of just checking an old online listing.
- If you’re visiting an arena or stadium location, check the event schedule first.
- If you’re ordering delivery, remember delivery hours can be shorter than in-store hours.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time to make sure the kitchen is still taking full orders.
Who Should Visit Big Chicken?
Big Chicken tends to work well for:
- Families looking for a quick, casual sit-down meal
- Fans of crispy chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders
- People craving comfort food like mac and cheese or chicken and waffles
- Sports fans grabbing food before or after a game at an arena location
- Anyone looking for a fast casual restaurant lunch option near work
FAQs About Big Chicken Hours
Does Big Chicken open every day of the week? Most standalone locations are open all seven days. A few special locations, like ones inside office buildings, may be closed on weekends.
What time does Big Chicken usually open? Most locations open around 10:00 or 10:30 a.m.
What time does Big Chicken usually close? Most locations close between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., depending on the day and location.
Are Big Chicken hours the same at every location? No. Hours can be very different depending on whether it’s a standalone restaurant, an arena location, an airport spot, an office food hall, or a cruise ship.
Is Big Chicken open on major holidays? Some locations stay open with shortened hours. Others close completely, especially on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Does Big Chicken serve breakfast? No. Big Chicken opens around 10 a.m., which is lunchtime, so it does not offer a breakfast menu.
Are delivery hours the same as in-store hours? Not always. Delivery hours through apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats can sometimes be shorter than the restaurant’s normal hours.
Where can I check today’s exact hours? Google Maps and the official Big Chicken website are the two most reliable places to check current hours for your specific location.
Do arena locations have different hours than regular restaurants? Yes. Arena and stadium locations often only open during events or games, instead of following a normal daily schedule.
Final Thoughts
Big Chicken is a great spot for crispy chicken sandwiches, comfort food, and a quick, satisfying lunch or dinner. But since it’s grown into a nationwide chain with locations in arenas, airports, office buildings, and even cruise ships, the hours are not one-size-fits-all.
Before you plan your next visit, take thirty seconds to check your local store’s hours using Google Maps or the official website. It’s the easiest way to avoid showing up to a locked door, especially around holidays or big game days.
Have you visited a Big Chicken location recently? Drop a comment and let us know what hours you found at your local spot. It might help another hungry reader plan their trip too.
