Bojangles, a chain restaurant known for its fried chicken and biscuits, has opened its fifth location in Livingston Parish Aug. 19.
The North Carolina-born chain was founded in 1977 and has grown to over 840 company and franchise-owned locations across the country, with a majority concentrated in the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee.
At 28509 La. 43, just off Interstate 12, a new Bojangles location is taking on Albany in Livingston Parish. The company also has other restaurants in Duson, Monroe, West Monroe and Ruston.
Bojangles will open its new location in Albany, Louisiana, on Aug. 19 at 5 a.m.
New location menu and details
With 95 employees and 3,200 square feet, the new Albany location is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
The spot features a boneless chicken menu with favorites like Bo’s Chicken Sandwich and Bo’s Tenders. It also has a “biscuit theater” where customers can spectate the inception of the 49-step buttermilk biscuits made from scratch every 20 minutes.
"When you walk in the restaurant, notice to the right of the registers," said franchise owner Benjamin Van Cleave. "There's a very large window, and there's a logo on the top that says, '49 steps made with love,' and you can watch our biscuit-makers craft these biscuits throughout the day consistently."
Bojangles will open its new location in Albany, Louisiana, on Aug. 19 at 5 a.m.
Cleave is one of the few franchisees opening with Bojangle's new genesis prototype building, featuring a modern, ergonomic design minimizing steps between stations.
Bojangles' architectural design and menu options vary by location. Some locations, particularly on the East Coast, won't see a biscuit theater, he said. The new Albany location won't have green beans, pinto beans or mashed potatoes, but it'll have baked macaroni and cheese, something the core market doesn't have.
If desired, the Albany location may expand the menu after a year of operation to include bone-in chicken and other items like the fish sandwich and pork chop biscuit. But first, the team wants to fully grasp the menu and execute it to perfection, he said.
Bojangles will open its new location in Albany, Louisiana, on Aug. 19 at 5 a.m.
Why Albany?
Cleave, born and raised in McComb, Mississippi, is a third-generation petroleum jobber in a family that also owns a small chain of convenience stores. Around 2019, Cleave decided it was time for some diversification. After spending 27 weeks of in-store training at a corporate Bojangles, his team began a property hunt.
"Albany — it reminded me so much of my hometown and also of my dad's hometown," Cleave said. "It's just great community spirit. Very family-oriented. It looks like it's primed for growth."
Bojangles will open its new location in Albany, Louisiana, on Aug. 19 at 5 a.m.
Cleave's favorite item on the menu is Bo's Chicken Sandwich, which comes on a premium bun with mayonnaise and crisp dill pickles. It can also be customized to add lettuce, tomato, bacon or cheese.
On opening day, 10 customers will be randomly selected to win free breakfast for a year. The contest ends 50 days from opening, and winners will be notified by email.
More Louisiana locations to come
Bojangles will open its new location in Albany, Louisiana, on Aug. 19 at 5 a.m.
Cleave plans to open a Hammond location on the Interstate 55 corridor by next summer, if not sooner.
His team also plans on property hunting more along Interstate 12.
"Chicken is king in the South," he said. "The brand is really focusing on franchise growth and expansion and constantly innovating."