Bojangles franchise startup costs run $1.2M–$2.2M for a Southern fried chicken and biscuits quick-service restaurant. The brand operates approximately 800 units concentrated in the Southeast US, with a strong breakfast daypart built around its made-from-scratch biscuit platform.
Bojangles is a quick-service restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style fried chicken and made-from-scratch biscuits, founded in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The brand's identity is built around two differentiated dayparts: chicken-focused lunch and dinner, and an all-day biscuit platform that competes strongly at breakfast. As of 2026, Bojangles operates approximately 800 locations — concentrated heavily in the Southeast US, particularly in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia — with selective expansion into new markets. The brand was taken private in 2019 by The Jordan Company and has since pursued a more selective franchising strategy focused on multi-unit operators with existing Southeast US footprints or strong regional market knowledge. Bojangles' relatively low advertising fund rate (1%) reflects its regional brand identity and reliance on local market concentration rather than broad national media spend.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment for a Bojangles franchise runs $1,200,000–$2,200,000. The biscuit-from-scratch format requires specialized kitchen equipment — commercial mixers, proofing equipment, and dedicated biscuit prep stations — in addition to standard QSR chicken frying infrastructure:
Bojangles franchisees pay a 4.5% royalty on net sales plus a 1% advertising fund contribution — for a combined 5.5% of net sales. This is among the lower combined fee structures in the QSR chicken segment. The low advertising fund reflects Bojangles' regional brand strategy: the chain concentrates marketing investment in core Southeast markets where brand recognition is already high, rather than spreading national advertising across markets where the brand lacks density. Franchisees may also participate in regional advertising co-ops.
Bojangles requires prospective franchisees to demonstrate net worth of $1,500,000 or more and liquid capital of $500,000 or more. The net worth requirement is higher than the franchise fee and investment range suggest — Bojangles evaluates franchisees on multi-unit capacity, not single-unit capability. The brand prefers candidates with existing restaurant operations experience, Southeast US market knowledge, and the financial depth to develop multiple locations over time. Single-unit first-time franchisees are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Bojangles is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. Common financing paths:
Bojangles is on the SBA Franchise Directory, enabling expedited eligibility review for SBA-approved lenders. At $1.2M–$2.2M, the biscuit-from-scratch format creates specialized equipment requirements that distinguish this from standard chicken QSR builds. Key factors lenders evaluate:
Bojangles' low advertising fund rate (1%) reflects regional brand identity rather than national media spend. For lenders, this means pro forma revenue assumptions should reference Bojangles FDD Item 19 data from its existing Southeast market locations, which reflect the brand's actual average unit volumes, rather than analogizing to national QSR chicken chains with larger marketing budgets. Biscuit and kitchen equipment is Section 179-eligible in the year placed in service.
ClearValue Lending works with QSR franchise operators — including chicken and biscuit concepts — on SBA and equipment financing structures. Apply at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender. Use our SBA loan payment calculator to model monthly payments.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $1,200,000–$2,200,000. The biscuit-from-scratch format adds specialized kitchen equipment costs beyond standard QSR chicken concepts.
Bojangles is concentrated in the Southeast US — primarily the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. As of 2026, the brand operates approximately 800 locations with selective expansion into adjacent markets.
Bojangles charges a 4.5% royalty on net sales plus a 1% advertising fund contribution, for a combined 5.5% — among the lower combined fee structures in QSR chicken franchising.
Bojangles was taken private in 2019 by The Jordan Company, a private equity firm.
Yes. Bojangles is on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) covers franchise fee, construction, equipment, and working capital. SBA 504 is also an option for franchisees pursuing owned real estate.
SBA guidelines set a minimum DSCR of 1.15× — the business must generate $1.15 in cash flow for every $1.00 in annual debt service. On Bojangles builds in the $1.2M–$2.2M range, lenders typically require 1.25×–1.35× to account for construction ramp time and new-market traffic build. The brand's dual daypart structure (breakfast biscuits + chicken lunch/dinner) can be documented separately in pro forma to demonstrate revenue diversification. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7 (sba.gov).
SBA requires a minimum 10% equity injection of total project cost. On Bojangles builds, lenders typically require 20–25% borrower equity — on a $1.7M midpoint, that's $340K–$425K in documented borrower funds. Equity can come from personal savings or ROBS (retirement account rollover); borrowed equity does not qualify under SBA rules. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7, Subpart B, Chapter 4.