Is a Bojangles franchisee required to engage an architect approved by Bojangles to prepare plans for the Restaurant?

According to Bojangles' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to engage an architect approved by Bojangles to prepare restaurant plans. These plans must then be submitted to Bojangles for their approval. This requirement is detailed in both the Development Agreement (Section IV.D) and the Individual Franchise Agreement (Section V.D).

This stipulation ensures that all Bojangles restaurants adhere to the brand's standardized design and specifications. By mandating the use of an approved architect, Bojangles maintains control over the restaurant's layout, aesthetics, and functionality, which are crucial for brand consistency and customer experience.

For a prospective franchisee, this means they will need to factor in the cost of hiring an approved architect into their initial investment. It also means they will need to work within the parameters set by Bojangles regarding architectural design and construction. While this may limit the franchisee's autonomy in some respects, it also provides the benefit of leveraging Bojangles' expertise and pre-approved designs, potentially streamlining the construction process and reducing the risk of costly errors.