Bojangles, a chicken and breakfast brand with made-from-scratch food, announced March 14 the signing of a multiunit development agreement that will bring 20 new restaurants to Phoenix, marking the next chapter of the brand’s expansion West.

The new stores in the Phoenix market will be traditional locations, but a company spokesperson said it had no specifics available  on neighborhoods or areas of town for the locations.

The growth will be led by operators, LVP Restaurant Group, LLC, an entity of LV Petroleum, in partnership with Kingsbarn Realty Capital, serving as real estate developer.

The agreement is an extension of the group’s partnership with Bojangles, signing a multi-unit development agreement last year to bring 20 first-to-market restaurants to Las Vegas, and 10 non-traditional units in TravelCenters of America locations across the West. 

Bojangles Chief Development Officer Jim Cannon said in a release the company is excited to expand its parternship with LVP and Kingbarn as it expands beyond its Southeast core.

"They have proven to be strong operators, have a deep understanding of their markets, and share our commitment to bringing Bojangles West,” Cannon said in the release. “With the consumer demand for chicken at an all-time high, there has never been a better time to be in the segment, and our new boneless platform has resonated strongly in each new market we enter." 

Founded by Lissette Amiel, LV Petroleum’s executive team has more than 30 years of experience in the quick-service restaurant industry.

Jeanette Davis, the group’s vice president of food and franchise brands, will lead the construction and development of the new Bojangles restaurants in Phoenix. Before joining LVP, Davis served as the director of operations of 13 different quick-servce restaurant brands within 107 locations across the United States, which has since grown to 18 brands within her portfolio including Arby’s, Carl’s Jr., and Subway.

“We are firm believers in the direction Bojangles is heading, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to increase our commitment with the brand, expanding its footprint into Phoenix,” Davis said. “From our experience in the market, we know excellence is required to stand out and attract customers throughout all dayparts. Bojangles will be welcomed with open arms in the West Valley, and we are excited to be a part of the journey.”  

LVP Restaurant Group has  a presence in the Phoenix region through the team’s convenience-store operations, but has a knowledge and understanding of the quick-service restaurant market as it expands its portfolio in the area with Bojangles, according to the release.

Bojangles announced in 2023 the launch of its expansion strategy, including a streamlined boneless chicken menu, new building design and new staffing model across new and existing markets. This system-wide change was implemented to simplify operations and enhance the guest experience, according to the release.

The brand has implemented this new strategy within several restaurants across the U.S., most recently in Ohio, Texas, and Florida, among others.  

Bojangles continues to be a nationally recognized leader in the quick-service restaurant space with accolades including being ranked No. 57 in Franchise Times’ Top 400, No. 43 in Technomic’s Top 500 Chains, as well as No. 32 in QSR Magazine’s Top 50 Fast Food Chains of 2021.

Most recently, Bojangles ranked No. 115 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500, ranking as one of the best chicken franchises.

Bojangles is  seeking qualified franchisees to add to its growing brand portfolio amid its aggressive US expansion. Candidates should have restaurant and business experience, along with a minimum net worth of $1.0M and liquid capital of $500,000.

For both traditional and non-traditional units, operators that meet preliminary qualifications can expect an investment ranging from $590,100 - $2,828,500.

Those interested in more information on development opportunities with Bojangles can visit bojangles.com/franchising.