Bojangles Considers Potential Sale Amid Fried Chicken Demand Surge
A recent report has surfaced indicating that Bojangles, the well-known Southern fast-food chain, is exploring the possibility of selling its business as interest in fried chicken continues to rise.
The company reportedly secured over $1.5 billion, reflecting a significant increase in knowledge about the market compared to its acquisition in 2019, as noted by a source from the Wall Street Journal.
Bojangles, famous for its sweet tea and fried chicken, may attract the attention of restaurant operators and private equity investors, though some sources suggest that a sale isn’t guaranteed.
The chain hasn’t provided any comments regarding this report yet.
In 2019, Bojangles was privatized by private equity firms TJC, with the company’s valuation exceeding $590 million at that time.
Founded in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bojangles operates around 800 locations primarily in the South, including over 100 in Georgia alone. The chain has recently begun venturing into the Northeast, having opened its first New Jersey outlet in April and another in Pennsylvania in 2022.
The company seems poised to leverage a thriving market, with its fried chicken offerings leading the pack, as noted by RJ Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Placer.ai. He mentioned that the adaptability of chicken as a menu item allows brands to cater to diverse customer preferences, featuring various spice levels and sauces.
According to Technomic, U.S. chain restaurant sales grew by 3% last year. In contrast, sales at burger chains only rose by 1%, while chicken restaurants saw a notable 9% increase.
Savvy chicken chains like Cane’s and Wingstop reported an impressive 24% sales growth year-over-year. Data from Placer.ai highlighted that visits to these chains, along with others like Dave’s Hot Chicken, significantly surpassed overall visits to fast-casual establishments in the first quarter of 2025.
This growth stems partly from the high demand for chicken, allowing restaurants to expand their footprints.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, for instance, has recently made headlines with a $1 billion deal to be sold to Roark Capital, having experienced remarkable year-over-year growth, especially a 67.2% increase in visits during the previous quarter.
Other fast-food chains are also joining the chicken craze; for instance, McDonald’s introduced a MacCrispy Strip to its permanent menu this spring, while Taco Bell has reintroduced Chicken Nuggets.
In recent months, there have been notable mergers and acquisitions in the restaurant sector. For instance, Blackstone acquired a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s, valuing the company at $8 billion, while Sycamore Partners purchased Playa Bowl, though the specific terms of that deal have yet to be revealed.
