By Joshua Burd
Southern-style restaurant chain Bojangles is planning at least 35 new locations in New Jersey as part of a recently announced push to expand in and around New York City.
The company, whose menu includes fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and tea, said earlier this month that a new franchise agreement would support its growth in the Garden State. That came alongside the signing of a 20-unit agreement that will bring the concept back to New York City, where it operated briefly during the 1980s, with the first location planned for this winter in Brooklyn.
“It’s a monumental moment, now that we’re entering the New York metropolitan area again,” said Jose Armario, CEO of Bojangles. “The East Coast is craving the authentic, Southern charm that Bojangles delivers, and we’re excited to introduce locals to something new. The franchise groups behind this expansion are the exact partners we want to grow with — they bring the industry know-how, operational experience and leadership needed to grow Bojangles in a bustling market like New York. Supporting and leading our franchisees to success is fundamental to our mission as a brand, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what this next chapter holds.”
The 47-year-old company, which recently opened along a busy commercial corridor in Piscataway, said it plans to open more than 50 new locations in the New York City and New Jersey areas. Franchising opportunities remain available in prime territories throughout New York state, Bojangles added, as it looks to expand a footprint that includes some 800 stores in 17 states.
Bojangles opens on Piscataway’s Stelton Road after Goldstein Group transaction