How the Bigg Have Fallen A Tale of Mr Bigg’s’ Fall from Glory and Troubled Attempt at a Comeback

Every now and then, a fresh X post asking, ‘What happened to Mr Bigg’s?’ pops up, evoking myriads of theories and nostalgic tales from younger millennials and Gen Zs. For most Nigerians in this demographic, the fall of the once eminent brand is simply confounding.

Founded in 1986, Mr Bigg’s upheld its title as the first and best fast-food restaurant in Nigeria for decades. For many Nigerians, stopping at Mr Bigg's for their undefeated meat pies and Jollof rice and chicken after school, or church on Sundays, was a custom.

Mr Bigg’s was the original family-friendly restaurant in Nigeria, with several of its locations housing play areas where children could keep busy while their parents waited in line to order food for the family.  At its various locations, kids could even be inspired and thrilled by the iconic Supa Strikas comics, which told the story of young Shegs Okoro and his intriguing life on and off the football pitch. Mr Bigg’s was one of the sponsors of Supa Strikas in Nigeria, so customers could buy the comics at the restaurant or get the comics along with some meals.

In line with their family-friendly theme, Mr Bigg’s held ‘family days’ and threw the most epic children’s birthday parties in the late 90s and early 2000s. For millennials like Lola, a writer and entrepreneur who frequented Mr Bigg's in her youth, a Mr Bigg’s party was the apex of coolness. In her words, ‘if you didn’t have one of those [parties at Mr Bigg's], you weren’t cool. And if you didn’t get invited, you might as well not exist’. The restaurant’s ‘Double Delight’ and ‘Triple Delight’ birthday cakes, featuring Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry flavours were also the stuff of legend...