NBA's O'Neal, BK-Pizza Hut group in pretzel chain pact

MILWAUKEE -- NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has partnered with Burger King-Pizza Hut franchisee V&J Foods to develop units of the Auntie Anne's fresh-baked-pretzel chain.

Milwaukee-based V&J and Miami-based O'Neal Franchise Group formed VJ & O'Neal Enterprises to open six Auntie Anne's in the Detroit area by year-end. The group reportedly also will acquire eight existing shops in the Buffalo, N.Y., area.

V&J Foods, led by Valerie Daniels-Carter, currently runs 32 BKs in the Milwaukee and Detroit areas and 67 Pizza Huts in upstate New York.

The O'Neal Group reportedly owns at least $50 million in commercial and residential property.

Gap, Pa.-based Auntie Anne's Inc. is franchisor of more than 900 outlets in 45 states and 10 foreign countries.

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