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Papa Johns and Shaquille O’Neal Bring Back Shaq-a-Roni Pizza

June 9, 2025

By Allison Watkinson

TLL Reporter

Papa Johns and Shaquille O’Neal are relaunching the licensed Shaq-a-Roni pizza as a full-time menu item at the company’s restaurants.

Originally launched as a limited-time offering in 2020, the Shaq-a-Roni pizza is an XL pizza made with Papa Johns fresh, original dough that is topped with over half a pound of cheese and extra pepperoni.

“The Shaq-a-Roni isn’t just a pizza—it’s a slam dunk,” said O’Neal. “I’m pumped that it’s now here to stay. It’s big, it’s delicious, and it brings people together—ust like pizza should.”

To promote the licensed pizza’s place on Papa Johns core menu, O’Neal is sending Shaq-a-Ronis to several non-profit organizations in communities that have a personal connection to his life.

Located across across the United States, the licensed pizzas will be distributed to organizations located in Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles, Baton Rouge, Las Vegas and Atlanta.

“At Papa Johns, we’re elevating the classics that have set us apart to deliver even more value to our customers,” said Papa Johns chief marketing officer, Jenna Bromberg. “Since it was first introduced five years ago, the Shaq-a-Roni has offered the craveable flavors pizza fans can find only at Papa Johns. Now, it’s here to deliver XL-sized value every day!”

Since joining the company’s board of directors in 2019, O’Neal has maintained a close business relationship with Papa Johns.

This relationship includes an equity stake, major marketing endorsements and the ownership and operation of several of the restaurant brands’ franchised locations in Atlanta.

Shaquille O’Neal is a professional athlete, entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurant owner and brand ambassador whose award-winning career in the NBA spanned close to two decades.

O’Neal currently serves as a sports analyst on the halftime and postgame TV series, Inside the NBA.

In addition to his professional career, O’Neal has established a non-profit organization called the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation which works to provide educational opportunities, community resources and more to support under-served youth across the country.

Launched in 1984, Papa John’s International is a US-based pizza delivery chain that uses fresh, high-quality ingredients to create its products.

It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire culinary menu.

The Papa Johns restaurant franchise currently operates more than 6000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories around the world.

Photo courtesy of Papa John’s.

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Filed Under: Editorial, Open Content, Top Story, TLL, Recent Headlines, Archive, Articles, Food/Beverage, Featured Tagged With: Food and Beverage Licensing, Celebrity Licensing, Food and Beverage trends, Papa John's, Non-profit organizations, Shaq-a-roni, shaquille o'neal

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