Is financing equipment allowed for the first Bojangles Restaurant?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5 Equipment, furniture, signage and fixtures. You must purchase or lease certain items of equipment including kitchen and serving line equipment, point of sale system and related software, technology equipment, components and software, a decor package, refrigeration and installation, point of sale materials, a sound system, a safe, digital interior and drive-thru (if required) menu boards, miscellaneous smallwares and equipment and signage. The equipment package required for a Bojangles Express Restaurant will vary depending on factors, including the presence of existing food service or deli type facilities, the square footage and anticipated volumes of the Bojangles Express Restaurant, the menu format adopted for the Bojangles Express Restaurant and the addition of a drive-thru window. We require that for your first Bojangles Restaurant you pay in full for the equipment package and avoid equipment financing. We may, at our option, extend this requirement for additional Restaurants that you develop.
Source: Item 9 — Initial inventory. The estimate covers initial inventory of products, including food and paper products, and cleaning, office and general supplies for the opening of the Restaurant. (FDD pages 27–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally required to purchase or lease equipment such as kitchen and serving line equipment, point of sale systems, technology, decor, refrigeration, sound systems, safes, and signage. However, for the first Bojangles Restaurant, franchisees must pay in full for the equipment package and avoid equipment financing. Bojangles may, at its option, extend this requirement for additional restaurants that the franchisee develops. This means a new franchisee needs to have sufficient capital to cover these costs upfront.
The estimated cost for equipment, furniture, signage, and fixtures ranges from $231,000 to $702,500. This substantial upfront investment highlights the importance of having adequate financial resources when starting a Bojangles franchise. The FDD also includes a table outlining various expenditures, including the franchise fee, insurance, pre-opening salaries, upfitting costs, initial inventory, utility deposits, and additional funds needed during the initial three months.
Bojangles does not offer direct or indirect financing for any part of the initial investment. Prospective franchisees should carefully review these figures with a business advisor, a certified public accountant, and an attorney before making any decision to purchase the franchise. Understanding the financial obligations and ensuring sufficient capital is crucial for the successful launch and operation of a Bojangles restaurant.