In 1977, restaurateurs Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas started a lone fried chicken venture in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over 40 years later, Bojangles is considered one of the best regional fast food chains — largely due to its scratch-made biscuits and fried chicken. It quickly became infamous for its bright orange logo, quick service, and food that was full of Southern flair. Throughout the 1980s, Bojangles introduced iconic staples like Cajun-seasoned fries, Bo-Berry biscuits topped with icing, and then the iconic Chicken Supremes to its menu.
Bojangles didn’t intend to remain a Carolina keepsake. In 1982, just five years after opening, the company decided to take a bold leap into the Big Apple. On 6th Avenue in New York City, the debut was a down-home spectacle: a Dixieland band played, a woman dressed as a chicken roamed the sidewalk, and biscuits were baked non-stop. Curious New Yorkers poured in, sampling fried chicken, dirty rice, and scratch-made biscuits. By 3 p.m. that day, revenue topped $5,500. Bojangles was becoming a pioneer in bringing Southern food to the masses.
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Big Chicken Dreams
Bojangles chicken tenders, biscuit, and fries on a plate – Deutschlandreform/Shutterstock
It wasn’t just the food that put Bojangles on the map — even its advertising slogans became famous. In 2003, “GottaWannaNeedaGettaHava” was known in Southern homes as the Bojangles jingle, then “It’s Bo Time!” debuted in 2010, transforming Bojangles into a household name. By 2011, Bojangles owned over 500 restaurants, including its first airport location in the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Today, Bojangles operates nearly 800 restaurants across 21 states, with new brick-and-mortar openings in Texas and Nevada. Crispy, seasoned fried chicken and flaky biscuits aren’t the only items of interest, either. Bojangles serves all-day breakfast and hearty sides, including dirty rice, Cajun pintos, and some of the best fast food mashed potatoes. Sweet tea is always on the menu as well, considering it’s the unofficial official drink of the South. From its comfort food classics to Carolina charm, it’s easy to see why Bojangles is a go-to fast food stop for people across the Southeast and beyond.
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