• Bojangles is expanding nationally, with new locations opening in Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Texas. • The chain, known for its bold flavors and Southern hospitality, was a regional secret for years. • Bojangles uses AI in drive-thrus and targets Gen Z with menu innovation and modern design.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with José Armario, the CEO of Bojangles. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I've been CEO of Bojangles since 2019, when we took the company private. From the very beginning, I knew we had a special brand on our hands — now, I'm in charge of making sure everyone else knows it, too.

That means making sure it's clear we've got something for everyone, even when everyone wants something different.

For decades, Bojangles was the best-kept secret

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