Franchising

Bojangles Opco deal will add 45 stores

Photo: File

March 2, 2021

Bojangles Opco LLC inked a development deal with longtime franchisee, Jeff Rigsby of BOJ of WNC LLC, to open 45 locations of the chicken and biscuit QSR over the next seven years, according to a news release. The chain has more than 760 restaurants throughout the Southeastern U.S.

Rigsby will add the stores around his company's core markets, including Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Fifteen stores will also open in a new market for the chain, Columbus, Ohio, and Rigsby has acquired 16 company-operated restaurants from Bojangles, making him the largest franchisee in the system.

"Jeff has been a valued partner of the Bojangles brand for over 20 years, and we could not be more thrilled to extend this business relationship to 45 new locations, including expansion into a new market for our brand," said Jose Costa, chief development officer for Bojangles, in the release. "He embodies what it means to proudly represent this beloved chain, and we are looking forward to many more years of success for Jeff."

Rigsby operates 92 locations, including the 16 recently acquired restaurants. He also has nine approved locations projected to open in 2021, which means should open his 100th store by 2022.

"Over the past 20 years, my partnership with Bojangles has been rewarding and full of growth, and this major milestone and accompanying investment deal is a perfect indicator of that," Rigsby said in the release. "I'm grateful for what we've accomplished together, and I'm excited for what's to come."

Bojangles is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, while franchisee, BOJ of WNC LLC is headquartered in Arden, North Carolina.