Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Bojangles is a leading quick-service restaurant brand specializing in Southern-style fried chicken, made-from-scratch biscuits, and all-day breakfast.
Bojangles is a fast-growing quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise known for its Southern-style chicken, made-from-scratch biscuits and hearty breakfast offerings. Since opening its doors in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bojangles has built a loyal following with its authentic Southern flavor and strong community presence. With over 800 locations across the United States and growing, the brand offers experienced restaurant operators an exciting opportunity to be part of a proven system with widespread consumer appeal.
Bojangles was founded in 1977 by Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas in Charlotte, North Carolina. They envisioned a QSR brand built on bold flavors, fresh-made Southern favorites and friendly service. Their first restaurant introduced the now-famous seasoned fried chicken and scratch-made biscuits, setting the stage for a regional favorite to become a national player.
Mission: To bring authentic Southern flavor and hospitality to communities through delicious, scratch-made food served with a smile.
Vision: To grow Bojangles into a national household name while preserving the core values of Southern cooking, customer satisfaction and franchisee success.
Bojangles is actively growing in multiple states across the U.S.
New inquiries are welcomed even in areas not currently marked as open, as the brand is constantly evaluating new markets.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to open a Traditional Bojangles restaurant ranges from $2,796,870 to $3,664,400. Bojangles’ 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Insurance | $5,000 | $21,000 |
| Pre-Opening Salaries & Initial Training Expenses | $144,550 | $166,500 |
| Site Selection | $100 | $10,000 |
| Building | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 |
| Site Work | $625,000 | $800,000 |
| Soft Costs | $181,000 | $260,000 |
| Equipment, Furniture, Signage & Fixtures | $655,000 | $800,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $20,000 | $62,000 |
| Utility Deposits & Business Licenses | $220 | $23,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $31,000 | $186,400 |
The estimated initial investment for opening an Express Bojangles restaurant ranges from $778,670 to $1,886,900. These costs break down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Insurance | $5,000 | $21,000 |
| Pre-Opening Salaries & Initial Training Expenses | $144,550 | $166,500 |
| Upfitting Costs | $327,000 | $705,000 |
| Equipment, Furniture, Signage & Fixtures | $231,000 | $702,500 |
| Initial Inventory | $20,000 | $62,000 |
| Utility Deposits & Business Licenses | $220 | $23,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $30,900 | $186,400 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The franchise fee is $20,000 for an Express restaurant or $35,000 for a Traditional restaurant.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Bojangles franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 4% of gross sales/month |
| Marketing Development Fund | 1% of gross sales/month |
| Local Marketing Expenditure | 3% of gross sales/month (less amounts spent on cooperative advertising) |
| Local Marketing — Advertising Technology Vendors | $153 per restaurant/month |
ROI Potential: The 2025 FDD reports the following average gross sales for franchised restaurants operating during FY 2024:
| Type of Franchised Restaurant | Average Gross Sales |
| Express | $2,089,800 |
| Full-Size Restaurant (Boneless Chicken Only) | $2,519,883 |
| Full-Size Restaurant (Full Menu) | $2,441,735 |
The quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector continues to show strong and steady growth, driven by shifting consumer preferences and the increasing demand for convenience. The global fast food market is projected to grow from $645.2 billion in 2024 to $663.92 billion in 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. This expansion is fueled by factors such as rapid urbanization, globalization, rising working populations and a growing appetite for on-the-go meal options. As a QSR brand that excels in breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, Bojangles is well-positioned to capitalize on this sustained industry momentum.
Bojangles stands out in the competitive QSR space by offering a rare combination of authentic Southern flavor, all-day appeal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and a menu built around scratch-made biscuits and hand-breaded fried chicken. Its emphasis on fresh, made-from-scratch food — including 49-step biscuits and never-microwaved meals — gives it a distinct edge in quality and guest experience. The brand’s strong breakfast performance, drive-thru and app ordering capabilities, and flexible store designs also make it a strategic franchise choice in growing markets.
Primary Competitors: Bojangles competitors include Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, KFC, Church’s Texas Chicken and Raising Cane’s.
To schedule your introductory interview or learn more about franchising with Bojangles, complete and submit the online form on the brand’s website.
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