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Bojangles Franchise Growth Accelerates with Acquisition of 120 Restaurants and New Ohio Expansion

Bojangles has announced a multi-state agreement that combines the acquisition of more than 120 existing restaurants across the Southeast with development rights for 40 new units in Ohio. The move reflects the brand’s accelerating growth and continued appeal to seasoned operators looking to join a proven quick-service franchise system.

A Transition of Scale

The deal transfers more than 120 Bojangles restaurants across six states from longtime operator Jeff Rigsby of BOJ of WNC, LLC, to Eyas Capital, a hospitality management and investment firm with extensive franchise experience. Rigsby, who grew his portfolio from six locations to one of the largest in the system, played a pivotal role in strengthening Bojangles’ presence in the Southeast and piloting new operational strategies, including the simplified boneless menu in Columbus.

Eyas Capital will build on that foundation while leading Bojangles into new territory. Alongside the acquisition, the group has committed to opening 40 additional restaurants in Ohio’s two largest markets: Cincinnati and Columbus.

Expanding with Experienced Partners

Eyas Capital is led by founder and CEO Timothy Foley and president John Kaufman, both of whom possess decades of operational and investment expertise. Their track record includes successful Burger King and Subway operations, a testament to the duo’s knowledge and expertise in scaling brands effectively.

By adding Bojangles to their portfolio, Foley and Kaufman see an opportunity to expand a well-loved Southern brand into fresh markets while strengthening its footprint in core regions. Their leadership positions Bojangles to accelerate development without losing sight of operational excellence.

What It Means for Bojangles Franchise Growth

For franchise development, this milestone underscores three key advantages of the Bojangles model:

  1. Strength with Opportunity – Bojangles is established enough to support one of the largest franchise transactions in the QSR space, yet we continue to offer wide-open development opportunities across the U.S.
  2. Proven Operational Model – From our boneless menu platform to streamlined kitchen layouts, Bojangles has built efficiencies designed to help operators succeed in both established and emerging markets.
  3. National Momentum – The acquisition with Eyas Capital is part of our broader expansion strategy. With development accelerating in markets such as New York, Las Vegas, and Phoenix—and our positioning to open an average of one new restaurant per week in 2025—Bojangles is proving its national appeal.

A Clear Path Forward

The agreement with Eyas Capital highlights the resilience and scalability of the Bojangles franchise system. It also shows the brand’s ability to attract highly experienced, growth-minded operators eager to invest in both established markets and untapped territories.

With more than 800 restaurants already operating, Bojangles is offering qualified multi-unit developers the chance to join a brand with craveable food, strong unit economics, and unmatched franchisee support.