Bojangles (restaurant)

Last updated

Bojangles OpCo, LLC
Bojangles
Company type Private
Industry Food
Founded1977;47 years ago (1977)
Founders Jack Fulk
Richard Thomas
Headquarters Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Number of locations
818 [1]  (2023)
Area served
United States
Honduras
Key people
  • Jose Armario (CEO)
  • Brian Unger (COO)
  • Jackie Woodward [2] (CMO)
Products Fast food, including fried chicken, biscuits, french fries
RevenueIncrease2.svg US$547 million [2]  (2021)
Owner Jordan Company
Durational Capital Management
Number of employees
9,900 (2021)
Website www.bojangles.com

Bojangles OpCo, LLC., doing business as Bojangles (known as Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits until 2020), is an American regional chain of fast food restaurants that specializes in Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits and primarily serves the Southeastern United States. The company was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1977 by Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas. [3]

Contents

Bojangles has locations in Honduras and previously franchised restaurants in Grand Cayman Island, Jamaica, Mexico, Ireland [4] and China. [5] [6] As of 2023, restaurants are in 17 U.S. states [7] (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia) with planned expansions into New Jersey. [8] Its home state of North Carolina has the largest number of locations. [9]

In July 2023, the company announced plans to open 20 restaurants on the West coast, starting in Las Vegas. [10]

History

Logo used from 1977 until 2020 Bojangles.png
Logo used from 1977 until 2020

The first Bojangles location opened in 1977 in Charlotte. In the following year, the first franchised restaurant began operations.

Jack Fulk sold the Bojangles concept to the now-defunct Horn & Hardart Company of New York [11] in 1981.

Bojangles received fame in 1989 because its restaurants remained open when Hurricane Hugo struck the Carolinas when most other fast-food restaurants had closed. [12]

During Horn and Hardart's ownership, the chain grew rapidly and expanded to 335 restaurants including 100 in Florida. Part of this growth was fueled by acquisitions including the Florida-based Biscuits chain.

In 1990, Horn and Hardart sold most of its interest to Sienna Partners and Interwest Partners. The company was then headed by the former KFC executive, Dick Campbell. In 1994, the company attempted a public offering. Campbell was subsequently replaced by CEO Jim Peterson. The company was sold to a group of investors headed by the former Wendy's executive Joe Drury and financed by FMAC in 1998. [13]

Bojangles expanded throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with the 300th location opened in 2003. The restaurant started its first college campus location on the grounds of Central Piedmont Community College in 2005. The company also purchased naming rights to the original Charlotte Coliseum on Independence Boulevard in Charlotte.

Bojangles was purchased again in 2007 by Falfurrias Capital Partners, [14] a private equity firm. The first airport location was opened in 2008 at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. In August 2011, Falfurrias sold Bojangles to Boston-based Advent International, another private equity firm, after a competitive bidding process with other investors. [15]

Advertisement for Bojangles' at Durham Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina (1989) DAP Bull 890625b.JPG
Advertisement for Bojangles' at Durham Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina (1989)

In 2012, Bojangles began sponsoring the NASCAR race Bojangles' Southern 500, and opened another college campus restaurant at UNC Greensboro. [16]

The company's 600th restaurant opened on July 8, 2014, on Galleria Road in Charlotte with Charlotte mayor Dan Clodfelter cutting the celebratory ribbon. [17]

In April 2015, the company filed with the US regulator for an initial public offering of its common stock, expecting to raise $372 million. [18]

In January 2019, Randy Kibler was replaced by Jose Armario as the chief executive officer and brought with him Brian Unger as the chief operating officer. Both were past employees of McDonald's. [19]

Bojangles Hard Sweet Tea for sale at grocery store Bojangles Hard Sweet Tea.png
Bojangles Hard Sweet Tea for sale at grocery store

On January 28, 2019, Bojangles was acquired by the Jordan Company and Durational Capital Management (making it a privately held company) [20] with Bojangles shareholders receiving $16.10 a share [21] after their approval on January 14, 2019. [22]

In December 2019, Bojangles and Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores came to an agreement to add 40 Bojangles locations at Love's Travel Stops in Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi – all new states for Bojangles – over the following ten years. [23]

On August 3, 2020, the company released a statement saying that it was dropping the apostrophe from its name. On the same day, Bojangles released a video announcing a partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr., the first celebrity to say the words, "It's Bo Time." [24]

On March 5, 2021, Bojangles announced a planned expansion into Columbus, Ohio, its first Ohio location, to begin later that year. [25] The announcement came on the same day Taco Johns announced it would significantly boost its Central Ohio presence, [26] as well as already-planned expansions into the market by Sheetz [27] and Del Taco. [28]

In March 2022, Bojangles announced that it would open its first 10 locations in New Jersey. [29]

Fried chicken at Bojangles Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits 2012.jpg
Fried chicken at Bojangles

Restaurants offer the full menu during all operating hours. Biscuit sandwiches are the predominant breakfast item, including the signature cajun chicken filet biscuit, as well as country ham, egg, cheese, bacon, sausage and country fried steak options. For lunch and dinner, the signature item is the bone-in fried chicken with a variety of side items (called "Fixin's"), including French fries, cajun-seasoned pinto beans, dirty rice, Bo-tato Rounds (a type of hashbrowns), coleslaw, green beans, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and grits. They also offer boneless chicken tenders known as "Chicken Supremes" which are served with a variety of dipping sauces, fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, a fish sandwich known as the "Bojangler" and a number of salads which can be topped with either grilled or fried chicken. Desserts include the Bo-Berry biscuit, which is a biscuit with blueberries topped with a sugar glaze, a sweet-potato fried pie and cinnamon biscuits. Seasonal and limited-time offerings also appear on some menus, such as pork chop biscuits. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuisine of the Southern United States</span> Regional cuisine of the United States

The cuisine of the Southern United States encompasses diverse food traditions of several subregions, including Tidewater, Appalachian, Ozarks, Lowcountry, Cajun, Creole, African American Cuisine and Floribbean cuisine. In recent history, elements of Southern cuisine have spread to other parts of the United States, influencing other types of American cuisine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taco Bell</span> American fast-food chain

Taco Bell Corp. is an American multinational chain of fast food restaurants founded in 1962 by Glen Bell (1923–2010) in Downey, California. Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. The restaurants serve a variety of Mexican-inspired foods, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, novelty, and speciality items, and a variety of "value menu" items. As of 2023, Taco Bell serves over two billion customers each year, at 8,212 restaurants, more than 94 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees and licensees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fast-food restaurant</span> Type of restaurant

A fast-food restaurant, also known as a quick-service restaurant (QSR) within the industry, is a specific type of restaurant that serves fast-food cuisine and has minimal table service. The food served in fast-food restaurants is typically part of a "meat-sweet diet", offered from a limited menu, cooked in bulk in advance and kept hot, finished and packaged to order, and usually available for take away, though seating may be provided. Fast-food restaurants are typically part of a restaurant chain or franchise operation that provides standardized ingredients and/or partially prepared foods and supplies to each restaurant through controlled supply channels. The term "fast food" was recognized in a dictionary by Merriam–Webster in 1951.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horn & Hardart</span> American food services company known for automats

Horn & Hardart was a food services company in the United States noted for operating the first food service automats in Philadelphia, New York City, and Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church's Texas Chicken</span> American Chicken restaurant chain

Church's Texas Chicken is an American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The chain was founded as Church's Fried Chicken To-Go by George W. Church Sr. on April 17, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas, across the street from The Alamo. Church's Texas Chicken trades as Texas Chicken or Church's Chicken in many countries. The chain is currently owned by American private equity firm High Bluff Capital Partners. As of 2017, Church's Texas Chicken had more than 1,700 franchised and company-owned locations in 26 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popeyes</span> American multinational chain of fried chicken fast food restaurants

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., also known as Popeyes and formerly named Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits, is an American multinational chain of fried chicken restaurants formed in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana and headquartered in Miami. It is currently a subsidiary of Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International. As of 2021, Popeyes has 3,705 restaurants, which are located in more than 46 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 30 countries worldwide. About 50 locations are company-owned; the vast remainder are franchised.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Del Taco</span> American fast food restaurant chain

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. is an American fast-food restaurant chain that specializes in American-style Mexican cuisine, as well as American foods such as burgers, fries and shakes. Del Taco is led by Brand President Tom Rose, and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California. On December 6, 2021, Jack in the Box announced it was acquiring Del Taco for $12.51 per share. The acquisition was finalized in March 2022. Del Taco has approximately 600 locations in 16 US states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bojangles Coliseum</span> Multi-purpose indoor arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.

Bojangles Coliseum is an 8,600-seat multi-purpose arena located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which also oversees nearby Ovens Auditorium and the uptown Charlotte Convention Center. The naming-rights sponsor is the Bojangles restaurant chain. The building's signature domed roof is made of tin, rather than steel or iron. The dome spans 332 feet in diameter and rises to 112 feet tall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Wild Wings</span> American sports bar and restaurant chain

Buffalo Wild Wings is an American casual dining restaurant and sports bar franchise in the United States, Canada, India, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates which specializes in Buffalo wings and sauces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack's</span> American fast-food restaurant chain

Jack's Family Restaurants, LP is an American fast food restaurant chain, headquartered and based in Birmingham. Restaurants feature sit-down dining, drive-thrus and takeout service. The menu features primarily burgers, fried chicken, breakfast and various other fast food items including french fries and soft drinks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits</span> American regional fast food chain

Mrs. Winner's Chicken and Biscuits is a regional fast food restaurant in the U.S. Southeast which specializes in fried chicken. Mrs. Winner's is mostly known for their fried chicken and given away biscuits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fried chicken restaurant</span> Type of restaurant

A fried chicken restaurant is a fast food restaurant, often a chain, that serves (mainly) fried chicken—usually chunks of chicken, battered or breaded and deep-fried.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy's</span> American international fast food chain

Wendy's is an American international fast food restaurant chain founded by Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio. Its headquarters moved to Dublin, Ohio, on January 29, 2006. As of December 31, 2018, Wendy's was the world's third-largest hamburger fast-food chain with 6,711 locations, following Burger King and McDonald's. On September 29, 2008, the company merged with Triarc Companies Inc., the publicly traded parent company of Arby's; Wendy's headquarters remained in Dublin. Triarc then became known as Wendy's/Arby's Group, and later as the Wendy's Company following the sale of Arby's to Roark Capital Group.

Jack Z. Fulk was an American businessman who co-founded the Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits fast food restaurant chain in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Pollo Loco (United States)</span> Restaurant chain

El Pollo Loco, Inc., is a restaurant chain based in the United States, specializing in Mexican-style grilled chicken. Restaurant service consists of: dine-in and take-out, with some locations offering drive-through options. The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and operates about 500 company-owned and franchised restaurants in the Southwestern United States.

Chicken and Biscuits may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krispy Krunchy Chicken</span> American fast food chain

Krispy Krunchy Foods LLC, also known as Krispy Krunchy Chicken or KKC, is a quick-serve fried chicken chain founded in 1989 in Lafayette, Louisiana. It has over 2,700 locations across 47 states in the U.S., and is offered mainly in convenience stores and gas stations.

References

  1. ↑ "All Bojangles' Locations | Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits". Bojangles. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Ruggless, Ron (April 2, 2019). "Bojangles names new marketing chief". Nation's Restaurant News . Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  3. ↑ Wehrum, Kasey (June 2011). "Obituary: Jack Fulk, 1932-2011". Inc. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  4. ↑ WRAL (February 8, 2006). "Bojangles To Open Restaurants In Mexico". WRAL.com. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ Paul Nowell. "Bojangles' aims to lure Chinese to 10 new stores". Wilmington Star-News. Associated Press. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Myers, Dan (October 17, 2016). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits". The Daily Meal. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
    - Martorana, Celeste (February 16, 2016). "Bojangles' Taps AC&M Group to Connect with US Hispanic Consumers". Portada. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  7. ↑ "All Bojangles' Locations | Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits". locations.bojangles.com. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ NJ.com, Christopher Burch | NJ Advance Media for (March 2, 2022). "Bojangles is coming to N.J., opening 10 restaurants". nj. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Bojangles locations". Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Bojangles expanding to Las Vegas with opening of 20 restaurants". July 31, 2023./
  11. ↑ McKibben, William (October 4, 1982). "Bojangles'". The Talk of the Town. The New Yorker . Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Bojangles | History of our famous Chicken n' Biscuits restaurants". www.bojangles.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Chicken Franchise Spreads Its Wings". Greater Charlotte Biz. September 2005. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007.
  14. ↑ "Bojangles' Acquired". QSR. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Bojangles". Advent International. Archived from the original on January 25, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  16. ↑ "History of our famous Chicken 'n Biscuits restaurants". Bojangles'. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  17. ↑ Adams-Heard, Rachel. (July 9, 2014). "Bojangles' reaches a milestone: 600 stores" Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Restaurant chain Bojangles' files for IPO". Reuters (Press release). April 7, 2015. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Former McDonald's execs take helm at Bojangles' after sale". KNXV-TV . January 31, 2019. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Bojangles', Inc., Durational Capital Management and The Jordan Company Complete Acquisition". GlobeNewswire (Press release). January 28, 2019. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  21. ↑ Peralta, Katherine (November 6, 2018). "NY firms to acquire Charlotte-based Bojangles'". The Charlotte Observer . Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
    - Miller, Jennifer (November 6, 2018). "Charlotte-based Bojangles' to be sold in 2019". WECT . Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  22. ↑ Rivera, Michael (January 14, 2019). "Bojangles' receives stockholders approval for acquisition". Verdict Food Service. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  23. ↑ Genovese, Daniella (December 18, 2019). "Bojangles' to expand into four more states in deal with Love's Travel Stops". Fox Business. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  24. ↑ Rao, Sonia (August 3, 2020). "Bojangles loses apostrophe in its name, gains Dale Jr. partnership, in rebrand". The Charlotte Observer . Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Bojangles restaurant chain planning 15 Columbus-area locations" Archived March 4, 2021, at the Wayback Machine , WSYX , 5 March 2021.
  26. ↑ "First Columbus Taco John's expected next year, with plans for more to follow". March 5, 2021. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Sheetz to Add 60 New Stores in Columbus Market". Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  28. ↑ California taco chain coming to the Columbus area Archived April 1, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ↑ Burch, Christopher (March 2, 2022). "Bojangles is finally coming to N.J., opening 10 restaurants". nj. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Bojangles Menu". Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.