A Shaqaroni pizza is a specialty pizza made by Papa John’s in collaboration with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The pizza features extra-large slices, loaded with extra cheese and pepperoni. With its oversized footprint and abundant toppings, a Shaqaroni pizza can feed a crowd. But just how many slices are in one of these mega pies? Let’s break it down.
What is a Shaqaroni Pizza?
The Shaqaroni pizza is a Papa John’s original, created in collaboration with brand ambassador Shaquille O’Neal. As you might expect from a pizza bearing Shaq’s nickname, it’s loaded with toppings. Each Shaqaroni pizza features:
- Extra-large crust
- Extra cheese
- Double pepperoni
The extra-large crust measures 16 inches across, compared to the usual 14 inches for a large Papa John’s pizza. The abundance of melty cheese and spicy pepperoni means each bite packs a flavor punch.
This over-the-top pizza was designed to feed a crowd. The concept aligns well with Shaq’s outsized public persona both on and off the basketball court.
How Many Slices in a Shaqaroni Pizza?
The number of slices in a Shaqaroni pizza depends on how it is cut:
Cut into 6 slices
One method is to cut the 16-inch pizza into 6 oversized slices. Each slice contains a substantial serving of cheese and pepperoni toppings. Cut this way, the Shaqaroni provides one hungry pizza eater with a full meal. Or, smaller groups can share a couple slices each.
Cut into 8 slices
Another common approach is to cut the pizza into 8 uniform slices. At two inches wide per slice, each serving still packs a generous portion of cheese and pepperoni. Cutting a Shaqaroni into 8 slices can feed more people sharing the pizza. It also gives each person the option to take a second slice if they have room left after the first serving.
Cut into 10+ slices
For large gatherings, the Shaqaroni pizza may get cut into even smaller slices – 10, 12 or even 16. With skinny slices of 1-2 inches each, more people can get in on the cheesy pepperoni feast. This does mean less toppings per slice. But when feeding a basketball team, office department or other large group, smaller slices let everyone get a taste.
So in summary, here is how many slices come from one Shaqaroni pizza based on different cutting strategies:
| Cutting Strategy | Number of Slices |
|---|---|
| 6 large slices | 6 |
| 8 medium slices | 8 |
| 10+ small slices | 10 to 16 |
Estimating Number of People Fed Per Shaqaroni
Based on the number of slices, we can estimate how many people can be fed with one Shaqaroni pizza:
- 6 slices – Feeds 1 very hungry person or 2-3 people with average appetites
- 8 slices – Feeds 3-4 people with average appetites
- 10 slices – Feeds 4-6 people
- 12 slices – Feeds 6-8 people
- 16 slices – Feeds 8-10+ people
These are rough estimates assuming each person eats 1-2 slices on average. At a party with smaller appetites or as a side for a larger buffet spread, even more people could potentially get a taste from a single Shaqaroni.
So while the pizza is named after a 7’1″ NBA legend, you don’t need an athlete’s appetite to get filled up on a Shaqaroni! The pie can comfortably feed parties of 4 up to 10, depending on how it’s sliced.
Nutrition Facts for a Shaqaroni Pizza
What’s the damage when you indulge in a slice or two of this pepperoni-loaded pizza? Here are the nutrition facts for a whole Shaqaroni pizza and per slice:
Whole 16-inch pizza (6 slices)
| Calories | 3,500 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 144g |
| Protein | 126g |
| Carbs | 420g |
Single slice (based on 8 slices per pizza)
| Calories | 438 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Protein | 16g |
| Carbs | 53g |
So a full Shaqaroni packs some hefty calories, fat and carbs. But considering the generous serving size, one or two slices can fit into most daily calorie goals. Balance it out with salad, veggies and physical activity for an overall healthy lifestyle.
Price of a Shaqaroni Pizza
So what does this loaded specialty pie cost? Pricing depends on size, restaurant location and any promotional deals:
- A large 16-inch Shaqaroni typically costs $13-$15 before discounts.
- Weekly specials often discount the pizza to $7.99-$9.99 each.
- Use online coupons for additional savings, dropping the cost to $5-$7 per pizza.
Considering the pizza feeds 3-4 people on average, that breaks down to under $5 per person when you purchase at regular menu price. Splitting a pie between even more people when it’s on sale or with coupons reduces the per-person cost even further.
Shaqaroni vs. Other Pizzas
How does the Shaqaroni compare to other pizzas on the Papa John’s menu?
| Pizza | Size | Price | Slice Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese | 14″ | $11.99 | 8 |
| Pepperoni | 14″ | $13.99 | 8 |
| Shaqaroni | 16″ | $14.99 | 8 |
Compared to a large cheese or pepperoni, the Shaqaroni runs $1-2 more for the bump up in size and double pepperoni. Overall it delivers excellent value for the amount of food.
Outside of Papa John’s, the Shaqaroni costs significantly less than most large specialty pizzas. For example:
- Domino’s 16″ MeatZZa Pizza: $18.99
- Pizza Hut 16″ Triple Meat Lover’s: $15.99
- Little Caesars 16″ Pepperoni Feast: $12.99
The Shaqaroni comes out as one of the most affordable ways to feed a crowd. The price reflects Shaq’s Brand Ambassador partnership and appeal to families looking for bargain deals.
History of the Shaqaroni Pizza
Shaquille O’Neal became a Brand Ambassador and investor for Papa John’s pizza in 2019. The partnership gave rise to the “Shaqaroni” – Shaq’s signature pizza loaded with his favorite toppings.
Key events in the Shaqaroni timeline:
- March 2019 – Shaq announces multi-year endorsement deal and investment in Papa John’s pizza chain.
- June 2019 – Shaqaroni pizza debuts nationwide across 3,500+ Papa John’s locations.
- March 2021 – Shaqaroni offered for just $6 each to celebrate Shaq’s 49th birthday.
- November 2021 – Papa John’s sells its 6 millionth Shaqaroni pizza.
The Shaqaroni exploded in popularity from the start, becoming one of Papa John’s top selling specialty pizzas within months. Its continued success reflects the marketing power of the Shaq brand.
Why Shaq Chose Papa John’s
So why did Shaq choose to partner with Papa John’s over other national pizza chains? A few key reasons:
- Papa John’s was looking for a new face and image after controversial comments made by founder John Schnatter.
- Shaq saw it as an opportunity to increase his business portfolio and influence in the food industry.
- Papa John’s was willing to create a signature menu item tailored around Shaq.
- The company offered Shaq an ownership stake and creative control.
The chance to become an integral part of Papa John’s brand and own a piece of the company appealed to Shaq’s entrepreneurial side. Developing his own proprietary pizza increased visibility and allowed him to put a personal stamp on Papa John’s menu. Overall, it was a multi-faceted deal that benefitted both parties.
Popularity and Perception of the Shaqaroni
The Shaqaroni quickly became one of Papa John’s top selling pizzas after its launch in 2019. It adds extra appeal to an already popular brand and taps into goodwill for the larger-than-life Shaq. For many families, it’s now their go-to order for feeding crowds on game night or special events.
Reviews of the Shaqaroni are generally very positive:
- People love all the extra cheese and pepperoni packed onto each bite.
- The price is seen as very affordable compared to other extra-large specialty pizzas.
- Shaq’s appeal across generations helps drive excitement and buzz around the product.
- Some people wish it also came in smaller personal or medium sizes.
Based on customer response, the Shaqaroni hits the sweet spot in terms of value, abundance of toppings and basketball star appeal. Its popularity shows no signs of fading three years into its launch.
Conclusion
The Shaqaroni from Papa John’s packs some major wow factor between its 16-inch size, overload of pepperoni and cheese, and branding from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. Exact number of slices per pizza ranges from 6 up to 16 based on portion preferences. With the right ratio of slices to people, one Shaqaroni can comfortably feed anywhere from 2 to 10+ hungry mouths. Pricing falls between $5-$15 per pie based on promotions, keeping it budget-friendly for families and parties. Overall, the Shaqaroni succeeds in delivering a specialty pizza loaded with value, abundant toppings and crowd appeal.
