Bojangles Franchise Cost 2026: Fee, Investment, Incentives

$2,851,880 to $3,951,200 for a traditional Bojangles restaurant and $780,780 to $1,858,700 for Express are the April 20, 2026 FDD investment ranges, including respective franchise fees of $35,000 and $20,000, with a standard royalty of 4% of total monthly Gross Sales; the franchise-cost page lists $1,000,000 minimum liquid capital and $2,500,000 minimum net worth, checked October 14, 2026.

Both investment ranges exclude real estate acquisition or leasehold costs. The development page still shows older per-location minimums of $500,000 liquid capital and $1,000,000 net worth as of October 14, 2026. Those website figures differ; confirm the requirements for your proposed agreement before budgeting.

How much does a Bojangles franchise cost?

The April 20, 2026 FDD’s cover, Item 5 and Item 7 distinguish the formats:

Format	Total initial investment, Item 7	Franchise fee, Item 5
Traditional, free-standing	$2,851,880 to $3,951,200	$35,000
Express, developed as part of another retail operation	$780,780 to $1,858,700	$20,000

Both totals exclude real estate acquisition or leasehold costs. Item 7 includes $32,000 to $60,000 in additional funds for the initial three months in each format; its notes exclude royalty and advertising payments from those additional funds. The Item 7 guide explains how to separate the disclosed investment from your full funding requirement.

Under Item 5, the development fee is $10,000 per committed restaurant, paid when signing the development agreement and non-refundable. It is credited against that restaurant’s franchise fee if the franchise agreement is signed and the applicable franchise fee is paid by construction commencement. The traditional fee under an Individual Franchise Agreement is due at signing; the Express fee is also due at signing. Franchise fees are non-refundable.

The franchise-cost page, checked October 14, 2026, lists a single $35,000 franchise fee without the Express fee. The FDD expressly states the $20,000 Express fee.

Compare formats in the cheapest chicken franchise guide, then use how much money you need to start a franchise to separate qualification minimums from opening costs and reserves.

For a chicken-brand comparison, Zaxby’s franchise cost breakdown lists $1,460,000 to $3,810,500 to open per its April 24, 2026 FDD.

Qualification minimums and financing

SBA Franchise Directory: Bojangles (listed with Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits and Bojangles’ Express) appears in the SBA’s Franchise Directory file effective October 9, 2026 (SBA Franchise Identifier Code S0233; franchisor certification marked received). A listing is what a lender checks for brand eligibility; it is not an endorsement, and your own eligibility as a borrower is assessed separately. See how to check the SBA Franchise Directory. The file notes a lease addendum condition when real estate secures the loan.

The franchise-cost page lists $1,000,000 minimum liquid capital and $2,500,000 minimum net worth on a per-location basis, checked October 14, 2026. Meeting those screening minimums does not fund the entire investment or establish borrower approval.

The development page still lists older minimums of $500,000 liquid capital and $1,000,000 net worth per location, checked October 14, 2026. The two pages disagree; obtain the applicable qualification requirements directly from Bojangles.

What the April 20, 2026 FDD states

Item 6, ongoing fees: The standard royalty is 4% of total monthly Gross Sales and the Marketing Development Fund contribution is 1% of total monthly Gross Sales, both due on the 15th for the preceding month. Gross Sales includes sales of restaurant-related products and services, whether cash or credit and regardless of collection, excluding taxes collected from customers for remittance to taxing authorities.

The local marketing expenditure requirement is 3% of total monthly Gross Sales less cooperative advertising expenditures. Cooperative advertising is typically 2% of Gross Sales, credited toward that local requirement. Item 6 also lists a current $153 monthly advertising technology vendor charge per restaurant, which counts toward local marketing. The fund contribution is therefore not the entire advertising obligation. See FDD Item 6 explained.

Item 12, territory: A development agreement provides a negotiated Assigned Area subject to reserved rights and development deadlines, not an exclusive territory; the franchise agreement itself grants no territorial rights.

Item 17, term and renewal: Traditional franchise and individual franchise agreements run until the earlier of 20 years from opening or expiration or termination of the initial lease term. They permit two additional consecutive 10-year terms, subject to conditions. Renewal requires timely notice, renovation, compliance and payment of obligations, possession of the premises, a fee equal to 50% of the then-current franchise fee, a general release, current qualification and training requirements, and signing the current agreement. Express has a 10-year term from opening, subject to lease expiration or termination, and no renewal rights.

Item 20, system size: At fiscal year-end December 28, 2025, Bojangles had 591 franchised and 276 company-operated restaurants, totaling 867. The company-operated count is approximately 31.8% of that total (276 ÷ 867). Its 2026 openings update, checked October 14, 2026, says it operates “approximately 31%” itself. These are a dated FDD count and an approximate website statement.

Minority, women and veteran incentives: effective royalty rates

Item 5 of the April 20, 2026 FDD provides 50% franchise-fee savings on the first two qualifying restaurants and royalty reductions for each qualifying restaurant. Its table labels the reductions “to be subtracted from the standard royalty fee”:

Year after opening	Item 5 reduction, quoted	Effective royalty using Item 6’s 4% standard
Year one	“3% of Gross Sales of the Restaurant”	4% − 3 percentage points = 1% of Gross Sales
Year two	“2% of Gross Sales of the Restaurant”	4% − 2 percentage points = 2% of Gross Sales
Year three	“1% of Gross Sales of the Restaurant”	4% − 1 percentage point = 3% of Gross Sales
Year four onward	“Standard royalty fee rate set forth in the Franchise Agreement”	4% standard royalty, without the introductory reduction

Item 5 requires a development agreement signed by December 31, 2026 to develop and operate at least three restaurants, the required incentive addenda, at least 51% ownership by eligible persons, no participation in other Bojangles incentive programs, and compliance with agreements. Eligible persons are qualifying minorities, women and/or veterans under the FDD’s definitions. Veterans must provide a DD Form 214 or other documentation accepted by Bojangles showing honorable discharge; minority eligibility requires the documentation specified in Item 5. Loss of qualifying ownership or noncompliance can end participation, require repayment of the franchise-fee savings and restore the standard royalty.

The incentive overview and programs page, checked October 14, 2026, also state 50% fee savings on the first two qualifying restaurants, a three-location commitment and at least 51% qualifying ownership in each restaurant entity; the overview requires experienced QSR operators. However, the programs page still says the developer “must have signed the Development Agreement no later than April 30, 2024”. That conflicts with Item 5’s December 31, 2026 deadline. Obtain the applicable signed addenda and written confirmation of eligibility before counting on savings.

For related eligibility and funding context, see VetFran discounts explained, veteran food franchise discounts and minority franchise grants and financing.

$300K Equipment Reimbursement Program

The incentive programs page, checked October 14, 2026, states:

Sign a development agreement for (3) units, receive $300K rebate upon opening of units #1 and #2 = $600K total!

Sign a development agreement for (5) or more units, receive $300K rebate upon opening of units #1, #2 and #5 = $900K total!

The April 20, 2026 FDD does mention this program. Item 5 describes the Equipment Reimbursement Incentive Program for traditional, free-standing restaurants: up to $300,000 of actual equipment costs per qualifying restaurant, paid within 30 days after opening and receipt of satisfactory supporting invoices. It is a reimbursement, not an unconditional payment of $300,000.

The FDD applies reimbursement to restaurants one and two for three or four commitments, and restaurants one, two and five for five through nine commitments; it lists additional qualifying restaurants for larger commitments. Eligibility includes a new development agreement signed by December 31, 2026 for at least three new restaurants, the required addenda, approved sites, opening deadlines and continuing compliance. Qualifying restaurants must open within four years for three or four commitments, five years for five through nine, or seven years for ten or more. The program expires December 31, 2026. Item 5 prohibits participation in other incentive programs under other development agreements or receiving other monetary concessions; the minority, women and veterans program also prohibits other incentive participation. Do not combine the two offers in a budget. Get the applicable reimbursement schedule and conditions in writing.

Single unit or development agreement?

The FDD describes both Individual Franchise Agreements and development agreements. Item 7 requires at least three restaurants under a development agreement. The cost page, checked October 14, 2026, describes multi-unit opportunities for experienced restaurant operators, but that does not establish that an individual franchise is unavailable.

Confirm the format and agreement offered for your market. Item 7’s range covers one restaurant; a multi-unit development commitment adds obligations for the other restaurants and their opening deadlines. A post-opening equipment reimbursement does not remove the need to fund equipment before opening.

Comparing chicken brands at this level?

Our free comparison spreadsheet lines up fee, Item 7, royalty, ad fund and liquidity gates across the FDDs you request. Plus the due-diligence kit.

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Questions to ask Bojangles before you sign

• Is an individual franchise available for the proposed format and market, or is a development agreement required?
• Which qualification minimums apply to the proposal, given the differing cost and development pages?
• Will the signed incentive addenda reflect Item 5’s December 31, 2026 deadline, and which program is available to the applicant?
• Which sites, opening deadlines and equipment invoices will qualify for reimbursement under the proposed agreement?
• What site-specific real estate, leasehold and financing costs must be added to the Item 7 estimate?
• Will a franchise attorney and accountant review the complete FDD and proposed agreements before signing?