Franchising

Bojangles deal to add 40 stores to southeastern US chain

Bojangles has signed another major expansion deal, the second in the last three months. (Provided)

May 6, 2021

Southeastern U.S. chain Bojangles has signed a deal to open 40 restaurants with Chaac Foods, which will also acquire 40 existing corporate-owned stores in the chain that are located in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, a news release said.

The company said the new stores will be built as follows over the next seven years:

• 20 stores added in Georgia.
• 15 stores added in the Orlando, Florida area.
• Five stores added in Tennessee.

The stores in Orlando mark the brand's return to the popular Gulf Coast area of the Sunshine State.

"We are thrilled to join forces with the accomplished team at Chaac Foods," Jose Costa, Bojangles chief development officer, said in the release. "The company's caliber of operations is well-recognized, and to have a partner with that pedigree invest in Bojangles speaks volumes about our brand and our growth plans for the future."

Chaac Foods Restaurants owns and operates a variety of establishments, including 135 Pizza Huts, along with several Cru Food & Wine Bars, Ling & Louie's, Applebee's and Panda Express, in nine states. The company sought to diversify its holding and step into the fried chicken market, which prompted it to sign the deal with the Bojangles brand.

"We welcome Bojangles to the Chaac Foods family and are excited to participate in the growth of this highly regarded brand," Sam Banon, senior vice president at Gauge Capital, which acquired Chaac Foods in 2019, said in the release.

This is the second major franchise development announced this year by Bojangles. In March, the chain signed another large-scale expansion agreement with longtime franchisee Jeff Rigsby. Both deals include opening stores in new markets for the brand which currently has 760 stores in 14 states.

Bojangles is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, while Chaac Foods is based in Irving, Texas.