Bojangles has become one of the fastest growing quick service restaurant brands in the United States. The brand is celebrated for its chicken, biscuits and famous sweet tea that has made it a favorite in many communities. While the food attracts loyal customers, franchise owners are facing difficulties that go beyond menu innovation or store design.
The main challenge is staffing. Franchisees must operate in an environment where the labor shortage is real and turnover is higher than ever before. Many stores find it difficult to keep a consistent team, which disrupts service and puts pressure on managers. In July 2025, the quit rate in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (which includes restaurants and quick-service restaurants), according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, stood at 4.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis.
A Look at Bojangles Growth and Expansion
Bojangles was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1977 with a vision built on Southern hospitality and flavorful food. The company carved out a place in the quick service industry with its distinct offerings like seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. Over time, this unique positioning helped Bojangles grow from a local brand into a regional powerhouse.
Today the chain has more than 800 restaurants, most of which are concentrated in the Southeast. Despite this regional strength, the company is making clear moves to reach a national audience. Franchise opportunities are expanding into large markets outside of its traditional base.
Recent expansion activity includes openings in Dallas and Orlando along with new units planned across New York and New Jersey. Texas is another area of strong focus, with growth targeted for San Antonio and Austin. This momentum reflects the confidence that leadership has in the brand, but it also magnifies the need for reliable staffing.
The pace of growth means franchise owners must be ready to manage not just customer demand but also the demand for qualified workers. As more locations open, the labor shortage affecting Bojangles franchisees becomes even more significant. Success depends not only on how many stores can be built but also on whether each store can remain fully staffed and well managed.
In July, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that job openings remained relatively stable at 7.2 million, with a rate of 4.3 percent. Hires also held steady at 5.3 million and a rate of 3.3 percent. However, the number of hires did rise within the other services sector. About 1,172,600 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
The Labor Shortage and High Turnover Affecting Bojangles Franchisees
The quick service restaurant industry is one of the hardest hit by the labor shortage. The BLS stated that for Accommodation and Food Services, the separation rate has been between 5.5% and 6.2% in recent months in several data points. Franchisees across the Bojangles system struggle to find enough applicants, and even when they do, turnover rates are alarmingly high. It is not uncommon for new crew members to stay only a few months before leaving for other jobs.
Competition for workers has become more intense. Other quick service brands are also recruiting from the same limited pool of candidates. Industries such as warehousing, retail and logistics are attractive alternatives for employees because they often offer steadier pay and schedules.
For Bojangles franchisees, the result is a constant cycle of hiring and training followed quickly by resignation and rehiring. This cycle disrupts customer service because new employees often lack the experience to deliver consistent quality. Managers are left stressed and stretched thin as they try to fill shifts and maintain standards.
Employment in food preparation and serving occupations is expected to grow at roughly the same pace as the average for all occupations between 2024 and 2034. BLS further reported that about 2.6 million openings are projected each year, driven by both new job growth and the need to replace workers who permanently leave these roles.
The High Cost of Labor Shortages and Turnover for Franchisees
High turnover comes with significant financial consequences. Training a new employee requires time, resources and money that are lost when that employee leaves after only a short stay. When turnover becomes the norm, franchise owners spend much more than they realize on recruitment and training.
Managers also suffer from burnout as they try to handle the revolving door of employees. When team members quit unexpectedly, managers must cover shifts themselves or ask remaining staff to work overtime. This increases labor costs and reduces morale.
Consistency is at the core of Bojangles brand promise of Southern hospitality. If new employees are constantly cycling in and out, it becomes difficult to maintain the level of service that customers expect. The overall customer experience declines, and franchisees risk losing loyal guests to competitors.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported that the labor force participation rate has been on a downward trend for over two decades. Around the year 2000, it stood at approximately 66%. It has generally hovered between 62% and 63% since 2021. Early retirements, childcare responsibilities, and reduced immigration combined to create a sharp worker shortage across the country.
Why the Old Hiring Playbook Does Not Work Anymore
BLS further reported that quits remained steady at 3.2 million, holding the rate at 2.0 percent in July. For years, franchisees relied on straightforward tactics such as raising wages slightly, posting more job ads or offering referral bonuses. While these approaches brought short term relief, they no longer solve the deeper issues of labor shortages and turnover.
Teen labor participation has declined compared to past decades, which means there are fewer young people filling quick service roles. Adults who once viewed these jobs as stepping stones now prefer industries with steadier schedules and better benefits. This leaves a smaller candidate pool for Bojangles owners to draw from.
As the brand expands into new states where it is less known, the challenge becomes even more complex. Franchisees cannot assume that what worked in the Southeast will automatically succeed elsewhere. A fresh approach to staffing is needed to keep pace with ambitious expansion goals.
How Bojangles Franchisees Can Build a More Stable Workforce
The key to success lies in building a workforce strategy that goes beyond short-term fixes. Franchisees must invest in programs that attract and retain employees for the long run. This requires creativity and a willingness to adopt new methods.
- Apprenticeships & Career Pathways
Creating apprenticeships and structured career pathways shows employees that they can grow into management roles or even ownership. This encourages longer commitments and transforms jobs that might feel temporary into meaningful careers. - Flexible Scheduling & Childcare Support
Many working parents struggle with rigid schedules. Offering flexible shifts and childcare support not only helps them contribute but also builds loyalty and makes the workplace more appealing compared to other industries. - Tuition Reimbursement & Career Development Perks
Younger workers value education and future growth. Providing tuition assistance or career development programs signals that franchisees care about long-term potential, which reduces turnover by keeping employees invested. - EB-3 Visa Pathway Programs
Sponsoring EB-3 visa workers ensures access to a reliable workforce committed to staying for at least one year. This reduces the cycle of constant rehiring and provides stability, giving franchisees employees who are both dependable and motivated.
How To Build a Reliable Labor Pipeline as a Franchise Owner
- Calculate the True Cost of Turnover
Start by determining how much money is lost when employees leave after just a few months. Using an ROI calculator can highlight these costs and provide the foundation for smarter workforce planning. - Diversify Recruitment Channels
Relying only on online job boards often leads to crowded competition and weak candidates. Franchisees should also tap into community outreach, local events, and partnerships with workforce organizations to widen the applicant pool. - Leverage EB-3 Recruitment Cycles
Participation in EB-3 visa recruitment ensures a dependable annual pipeline of workers. These employees are more likely to stay long-term, reducing training costs and allowing franchisees to plan staffing with greater confidence. - Offer Loyalty-Building Perks
Benefits such as tuition reimbursement, flexible schedules, and career growth opportunities signal that employees are valued. This fosters a culture of loyalty and lowers turnover rates. - Monitor and Refine Continuously
Tracking turnover, costs, and employee feedback on a regular basis allows franchisees to refine their strategies. This ongoing process builds a more stable and resilient workforce over time.
FAQ
Q: Why are Bojangles franchisees struggling with both labor shortages and high turnover
A: The United States labor force participation rate has declined, particularly among teens and young adults who once filled many quick service roles. At the same time, workers today are more likely to leave within a few months if schedules or pay do not meet expectations. This leaves franchisees caught in a cycle of constant rehiring.
Q: How much does turnover really cost a Bojangles franchise owner
A: Training and onboarding require significant investment in time and money. When turnover rates are high, these investments are repeated again and again. Over time, the costs add up and profit margins shrink.
Q: What strategies are helping franchisees cut turnover
A: Franchisees that offer tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, and career pathways report stronger retention. Programs that create long term commitment, such as the EB 3 visa, also reduce churn. These strategies transform quick service jobs into more stable career opportunities.
Q: Can Bojangles still expand successfully while facing these staffing issues
A: Yes, but only if franchisees embrace innovative workforce solutions. The company has ambitious expansion plans across multiple states, but growth depends on reliable staffing. Without a stable labor pipeline, new openings may not reach their full potential.
The Bottom Line
Bojangles has opened 25 locations year-to-date and is projected to maintain a pace of roughly one new restaurant per week for the rest of the year. Bojangles is on a strong growth path with expansion across the United States. The labor shortage affecting Bojangles franchisees remains a critical challenge.
For franchisees, the key to success lies in adopting new workforce strategies. Apprenticeships, flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement, and EB 3 visa recruitment are all tools that can create stability. By investing in employees, franchise owners can protect margins and improve service quality.
The future of Bojangles will depend not only on expansion but also on the ability of franchisees to maintain dependable staffing. Those who embrace long term workforce planning will be best prepared to deliver Southern hospitality consistently and profitably. In the end, solving the labor shortage is essential for sustaining growth and building a stronger brand nationwide.
