Cheers to 45 Years! Bojangles Celebrates Birthday in Big Bo Ways

Growing Southern food chain continues long history of giving back with launch of The Bojangles Foundation Fund and $45,000 in grants to literacy charities

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To celebrate 45 years of made-from-scratch recipes and made-with-love memories, Bojangles is honoring the people who made it all possible. The iconic Southern brand is launching its first-ever charitable foundation, getting creative with a Netflix cake designer, recognizing the faces behind Bo in a new TV commercial and, of course, dropping a freebie, all in honor of its 45^th birthday.

Beginning July 6, the day the company was founded in 1977, the Southern food chain famously known for its chicken, biscuits and tea is officially unveiling The Bojangles Foundation Fund, which will focus resources and time toward community efforts with an emphasis on the brand’s two major pillars: literacy and the military. For its first initiative, The Bojangles Foundation Fund, which is managed by Foundation For The Carolinas, today opened applications for up to 45 $1,000 grants to be awarded to nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting literacy in their communities.

“Giving back to those who serve in both our education and military sectors is at the core of who Bojangles is, so there is no greater way to celebrate turning another year older than to recognize acts of service and promote more of them in our community,” said Ken Reynolds, who will serve as Executive Director of The Bojangles Foundation Fund. “We’re thrilled to announce the Bojangles Foundation Fund, and we can’t wait to see the growth and positive momentum that comes from this first batch of grants.”

The applications will be open from July 6 – August 18. Interested charitable organizations with a focus on literacy can learn more and apply at www.Bojangles.com/foundation.

In typical Bojangles fashion, the party doesn’t stop there. The chain is also celebrating:

• Its food: Bojangles is partnering with Nina Charles – celebrity baker from Netflix’s Is it Cake? – to recreate a mouthwatering replica of its popular Bo’s Chicken Sandwich, Seasoned Fries and a cup of Legendary Iced Tea® so tantalizingly real you won’t be able to tell which requires a fork. Dare to play?
• Its people: To recognize the dedicated staff who always serve Bojangles’ food with a smile, the chain will feature real employees – including Gabrielle, Brandon, Kathy, Kristal and LaToya – in its newest commercial; because let’s face it, they’re the stars of the show. Check them out here.
• Its fans: Customers are invited to join in the fun and enjoy a free large cup of Legendary Iced Tea at participating Bojangles locations when they order through the Bojangles app, no purchase necessary. The free tea offer runs through July 17.

“You don’t get to 45 years as a brand without a strong community, a dedicated team, loyal fans and – of course – delicious food,” said Jackie Woodward, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer for Bojangles. “There's so much to celebrate – so that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

About Bojangles, Inc.

Bojangles, Inc. is a highly differentiated and growing restaurant operator and franchisor dedicated to serving customers high-quality, craveable food made from our Southern recipes, including breakfast served All Day, Every Day. Founded in 1977 in Charlotte, N.C., Bojangles® serves menu items such as made-from-scratch biscuit breakfast sandwiches, delicious hand-breaded bone-in chicken, flavorful fixins (sides) and Legendary Iced Tea®. Currently, Bojangles has approximately 780 system-wide restaurants in 14 states. For more information, visit www.bojangles.com or follow Bojangles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

* Bojangles reserves the right to modify, add to, amend, or eliminate any of its eligibility requirements, priority funding areas, grant programs or policies at any time, with or without notice.