Two popular chicken brands are celebrating their latest launches in New Jersey by giving away a year’s worth of free food.

Buffalo Wild Wings Go

Scheduled to open July 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Wanaque, Buffalo Wild Wings Go plans to reward the first 100 guests in line with vouchers for six wings every week for 52 weeks.

The Buffalo Wild Wings GO-branded location at 1353 Ringwood Ave. offers the chain’s popular menu items, like traditional and boneless wings, hand-breaded tenders, chicken sandwiches, burgers, sides and all 26 signature sauces and dry rubs. Meals are available for takeout, delivery or in-store dining.

Launched in 2020 by Inspire Brands-owned Buffalo Wild Wings, the quick-service concept aims to extend the chain’s footprint while giving customers a more convenient option.

Within New Jersey, there are 27 traditional Buffalo Wild Wing restaurants and GO locations.

Following its grand opening, the Wanaque outpost will operate Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. The new restaurant employs 30 crew members, Buffalo Wild Wings said.

More on the way

Opening-day festivities will feature local officials and first responders taking part in the ribbon cutting, as well as entertainment and giveaways by radio station WDHA 105.5 FM.

The location is franchised by Bill Mulholland, who recently launched Buffalo Wild Wings Go locations in Barnegat and Saddle Brook.

Commenting on the upcoming opening, Mulholland said, “We are so excited to bring the convenience and great taste of Buffalo Wild Wings Go to Wanaque. For years, frequenting Buffalo Wild Wings has been a part of our family traditions, and we look forward to bringing that sense of community and tradition to the Wanaque area for years to come!”

Mulholland, who is also multi-unit franchisee for Dunkin’ and Jersey Mike’s Subs, plans to debut four more Buffalo Wild Wings Go locations this summer: Manahawkin, Fair Lawn, Sparta and Midland Park, according to a LinkedIn post.

Big Chicken

Big Chicken, a fast-casual chain co-founded by NBA legend and Newark native Shaquille O’Neal, will make its New Jersey debut July 18 at Bridgewater Commons in Bridgewater.

As a nod to O’Neal’s iconic jersey number, which was retired 12 years ago, Big Chicken will give the first 34 fans in line the chance to enjoy free food and drinks for a year. According to the brand, the offer is limited to $10 a week.

Established in 2018, Big Chicken fuses O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorite foods with trending flavors. Its menu includes chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, Cheez-It cracker-crusted macaroni and cheese, jalapeno slaw, and dirty fries with cheese sauce and bacon, as well as frozen treats like sundaes and shakes.

Currently, Big Chicken has more than 40 locations open across 18 states and 350-plus development deals in the pipeline.

The brand’s presence includes a mix of traditional restaurants as well as non-traditional spots, like Carnival Cruise ships, in the Kansas City International Airport, at sports venues such as UBS Arena on Long Island, N.Y., and business hubs like Philadelphia’s Comcast Center.

Big competitor

Bridgewater is the first of six Big Chicken units developed stateside by entrepreneurs Chad Patel and Aditya “Adi” Patel.

The pair – who are not related – are veterans of the restaurant industry. Both have experience with quick-service franchises and traditional dining establishments.

Commenting on Bridgewater’s opening, Chad Patel said, “Both Adi and I have a passion for big flavors and from the first time we tried Big Chicken’s menu items … we knew we have to be the group to introduce Shaquille’s childhood favorites to his home state.”

“Big Chicken has more to offer its guests than any other chicken competitor in Central Jersey. We’re confident that the fact that we have more than four types of sandwiches, eight signature sauces and are open seven days of the week will endear the brand to Bridgewater residents and beyond!” he remarked.

A dining destination

At Bridgewater Commons, Big Chicken joins a dining scene that includes Fogo de Chão, Shake Shack, Chipotle Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Qdoba Mexican Eats, The Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s and Redstone American Grill.

Troy Fischer, senior general manager at Bridgewater Commons, said, “We’re so excited to welcome Newark native Shaquille O’Neal back home, in the tastiest possible way, and to partner with Adi and Chad Patel.”

“Their choice to make Big Chicken’s Garden State debut at Bridgewater Commons is a testament to our efforts to create an extraordinary dining destination. We can’t wait to have them join one of the most vibrant restaurant communities in Central New Jersey,” he said.

Big Chicken Chief Executive Officer Josh Halpern expressed excitement over the upcoming launch.

“I live nearby so I can’t wait for my kids to be able to come to Chad and Adi’s store with their teams and friends and help build a strong Big Chicken Community in New Jersey,” he said in a statement. “They’ve got a big vision for our concept in this state and I look forward to working alongside them and leveraging my considerable knowledge of the area to help make it happen.”