Big Chicken opened its first-ever Canadian location inside Hamilton’s newly transformed TD Coliseum, in partnership with Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in live entertainment infrastructure and services including venue development, venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. The new location expands the Brand’s North American footprint, entering one of the fastest-growing chicken markets.
TD Coliseum ushered in a new era of live entertainment and guest experiences when it officially opened with a sold-out Paul McCartney show on November 21, 2025. As the city’s largest entertainment venue, TD Coliseum is home to the National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock and is set to attract world-class entertainment as the cultural cornerstone of the Golden Horseshoe.
Hamilton has become one of Ontario’s most dynamic food destinations, where fans crave bold flavors and high-energy dining, making it ideal for Big Chicken’s continued international growth.
Since its founding in 2018, Big Chicken has expanded into major arenas globally through its partnership with OVG. The new TD Coliseum location joins an impressive roster of OVG properties serving Big Chicken, including SeatGeek Stadium (Bridgeview, Ill.); Wintrust Arena (Chicago); UBS Arena (Belmont Park, N.Y.); Co-op Live (Manchester, U.K.); ASU’s Mullett Arena (Tempe, Ariz.); Footprint Center (Phoenix); Moody Center (Austin, Texas); Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle); and Acrisure Arena (Palm Springs, Calif.).
“Adding Big Chicken to TD Coliseum is another extraordinary moment in our partnership with Shaquille and his team,” said Chris Nelson, Senior Vice President, OVG Hospitality. “Following the successful opening of TD Coliseum, we’re focused on elevating the fan experience at every level. Big Chicken delivers the BIG Fun fans expect from a venue like this, with exceptional service that complements the energy of TD Coliseum.”
Canada’s chicken game is heating up, with quick-service chains seeing a 14 percent spike in sales last year (Technomic), one of the highest momentum segments in the industry. Against this rising demand, Big Chicken’s arrival in Hamilton delivers a larger-than-life experience to a crowd ready for something unforgettable. Opening ahead of a stacked lineup of events at TD Coliseum, the new location offers thousands of guests the chance to be among the first in Canada to dig into BIG Food with BIG Flavor.
TD Coliseum guests will enjoy Big Chicken’s newest creations, including bold sandwiches like “The Original” and “Shaq’s Spicy Maple Crunch.” The menu also includes craveworthy sides like the “Sweet Fire Fries,” making it a go-to stop before or during concerts, games and events.
“Our valued partnership with OVG has allowed us to bring our larger-than-life personality to venues globally – across the U.S., U.K., and now, Canada,” said Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. “Big Chicken is all about creating BIG moments. What could be more memorable than singing along to your favorite artist while enjoying a crispy chicken sandwich with some sweet fire?”
With more than 40 locations in operation and dozens more in development across the country, Big Chicken continues to spread BIG Fun, BIG Flavor and BIG Smiles. The Brand’s debut in Canada lays the groundwork for future development in markets where franchise interest and fan demand continue to rise. Big Chicken is actively exploring opportunities in additional Canadian cities, such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
Halpern concluded, “We’re proud to be part of the excitement in Hamilton."
To learn more about franchise opportunities, please visit: https://www.bigchicken.com/franchise-information.