Bojangles’ Inc. has signed a development deal to expand outside its core markets of North Carolina and South Carolina, the company said Monday.
The Charlotte, N.C.-based quick-service chicken chain said Gautier, Miss.-based Angle Inc. would develop multiple Bojangles’ units in southern Alabama and southeast Mississippi.
Bojangles’ currently has 32 restaurants in Alabama.
“We are very pleased with the growth we are seeing outside our core markets,” said Clifton Rutledge, Bojangles' president and CEO, in a statement.
“As we’ve said before, growth in adjacent markets will be driven by franchisees that have the depth of business experience to help us continue to grow the Bojangles’ brand the right way,” he said.
Bojangles’ same-store sales increased 2 percent in the first quarter ended March 27, the company said in May, while net income more than doubled, to $7.8 million, or 21 cents per share, from $3.4 million, or 9 cents a share, in the same period a year ago.
Revenue in the quarter increased 11.3 percent, to $127.7 million, from $114.6 million the previous year. The company opened nine restaurants in the quarter.
As of March 27, Bojangles’ had 671 restaurants systemwide, with 288 company-operated units and 383 franchised locations.
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