Marketing

Papa John's building Shaq into brand via super-sized 'Shaq-a-Roni' pie

The new Shaq-a-roni pie with what the brand said are its largest slices yet. (Photo provided)

June 29, 2020

Papa John's has launched the Shaq-a-Roni pizza in collaboration with board member, restaurant owner and former pro-basketball standout, Shaquille O'Neal. Papa John's said in a news release that it will donate $1 from every Shaq-a-Roni sold through Aug. 23 to The Papa John's Foundation for Building Community.

"It was important to me for the Shaq-a-Roni to be bigger than just pizza," O'Neal said in the release. "By giving my new pie a try, $1 will be donated to The Papa John's Foundation for Building Community to support COVID-19 relief, the fight against racial injustice, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and general community involvement."

The pie is an extra-large pizza topped with extra cheese and extra pepperoni, cut into the brand's largest slices size to-date to go along with the big personality and physical frame of O'Neal himself.

The larger-than-life pizza is also accompanied by an exclusive Snapchat AR experience for those who order the Shaq-a-Roni. Using the Snapchat app, customers simply point their camera at the pizza box to reveal a 3-D surprise. Next month, the brand plans to unveil additional AR surprises across its social channels, the release said.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based pizza brand had more than 5,300 restaurants in 49 countries.