How Big Chicken Delivers Operational Consistency with New Restaurant Opening Training

A real training format that uses check-ins as a training checklist to ensure accountability during new store openings.

New Store Opening · NSO Training · Restaurant SOP Example · Mobile Training

The Problem: Scaling New Hire Onboarding for New Restaurant Openings

As Big Chicken accelerates its national expansion, consistency is key to brand success. New restaurant opening (NRO) training is critical to ensure every location delivers the same high-quality food and guest experience. With signature recipes, proprietary techniques, and rigorous standards, Big Chicken needed a new store opening (NSO) training process that could onboard kitchen staff quickly—without compromising quality.

What the Training Looks Like

Big Chicken uses Opus to power a mobile-first, 4-day Back of House and Front of House NSO training. The hybrid training format blends:

  • Individual learning in Opus — covering recipes, food safety, and station procedures.
  • Trainer-led sessions — including kitchen walkthroughs, live demos, and team discussions.

Recipe Mastery

Modules break down core recipes into step-by-step lessons with instructional videos and visual job aids. From breading chicken to building a Big Chicken sandwich, every step reinforces brand consistency.

Station-by-Station Learning

Training is organized by kitchen stations—fry, prep, expo—so team members master one area before moving to the next. Each station includes SOPs, equipment use, and safety protocols.

Quality Control Focus

Interactive checkpoints help staff recognize what “right” looks like. Real-life photos, video walkthroughs, and visual standards make it easy to identify correct vs. incorrect prep across every shift.

The Results — Faster Ramp-Up, Stronger Consistency

Big Chicken’s new store opening training program delivers on what matters most: operational consistency at scale. With a structured, mobile-first experience, new team members are able to get up to speed quickly while managers can ensure quality is never compromised—even during fast-paced launches.

Key Benefits:

  • Faster team ramp-up during new restaurant openings
  • Consistent food quality and guest experience across all locations
  • Reinforced standards through recipe-specific visuals and walkthroughs
  • Easy adoption of SOPs with station-by-station breakdowns
  • Improved knowledge retention through blended learning and repetition

By combining digital flexibility with on-the-job reinforcement, Big Chicken now opens each new store with the confidence that its kitchen teams are prepared, aligned, and set up for success from day one.

See It For Yourself

Scan the QR code below to put yourself in the shoes of a BOH team member at Big Chicken. Curious about more training examples? View the full collection here.

Why It Works

“This training makes it easy for our teams to get up to speed fast. With videos, pictures, and guided steps, they walk in ready on day one.”

— Training Lead, Big Chicken

This NSO program equips teams with the knowledge and confidence to execute consistently—regardless of location. The combination of structured mobile learning and in-person engagement ensures retention, faster ramp-up, and high operational standards from the start.

Want More Training Ideas That Actually Work?

Meet Big Chicken

Big Chicken, founded by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, is a fast-casual restaurant concept known for its crispy chicken sandwiches and signature sauces. The brand is rapidly expanding across the United States, bringing its high-quality comfort food and memorable dining experience to new markets.