When must a Bojangles developer designate a Designated Operator?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
At least six (6) months prior to opening the first Restaurant under this Agreement, Developer shall designate an individual to serve as the "Designated Operator" of Developer and the Restaurants developed pursuant to this Agreement, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The Designated Operator shall devote full time and best efforts to the supervision and conduct of the Restaurants developed hereunder;
(2) The Designated Operator must attend and successfully complete, to Franchisor's satisfaction, the initial training program offered by Franchisor under the Franchise Agreements for the Restaurants;
(3) The Designated Operator shall execute a Confidentiality Agreement in the form required by Franchisor;
(4) No person shall become a Designated Operator unless approved by Franchisor; and
(5) If the Designated Operator is unable, or elects not to meet his/her obligations under this Agreement, or if, in Franchisor's sole discretion, the Designated Operator no longer qualifies to act as such, Developer shall promptly designate another Designated Operator subject to the same conditions and qualifications listed above.
Developer's replacement Designated Operator must successfully complete the initial training program offered by Franchisor under the Franchise Agreements for the Restaurants within one hundred eighty (180) days after being appointed as Developer's Designated Operator.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 82–573)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a developer must designate an individual to serve as the Designated Operator at least six months prior to opening the first restaurant under the Development Agreement. This Designated Operator is responsible for the supervision and conduct of the restaurants developed under the agreement.
The Designated Operator must meet several conditions, including devoting full-time efforts to supervising the restaurants, successfully completing Bojangles's initial training program, and executing a confidentiality agreement. The franchisor must also approve the Designated Operator. If the initial Designated Operator cannot fulfill their obligations, the developer must promptly designate a replacement, who also must meet the same conditions and qualifications, including completing the initial training program within 180 days of appointment.
This requirement ensures that Bojangles restaurants are managed by qualified individuals who are well-trained and committed to the brand's standards. For a prospective developer, this means identifying and securing a suitable Designated Operator well in advance of the restaurant opening. Failure to comply with these requirements could potentially delay the opening of the restaurant or put the developer in breach of the Development Agreement.