Is a Bojangles franchisee required to upgrade to the most current version of software and hardware as these become available?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
in optional services you elect. You may be required to upgrade to the most current version of software and hardware as these become available. There are no contractual limitations on the frequency and costs of your obligation to upgrade the POS system. As of the date of this disclosure document, the costs of those annual support services that you will have to pay, as quoted by Xenial, Inc. for the POS System are $753 for software update maintenance, $889 for menu maintenance-configuration, $1,231 for help desk and telephone support, and $2,160 for network monitoring and maintenance costs.
The types of data generated and stored by your POS System, computer and software systems include transaction detail, method of payment, time keeping, POS System operator, payroll and hours, human resource statistical information, inventory information, menu-mix and cash management. There are no contractual limitations on our right to access to this information, and it is our intent in the near future to create programs that provide direct independent access to inventory and menu-mix information (i.e. inventory purchased, inventory received, inventory transferred and inventory disposal or waste) and transaction sales information (i.e. detailed transaction information, coupon usage and payment methods for each transaction). All systems and franchisees will be required to provide us with independent direct access to the foregoing information. We reserve the right to access other information in the future.
You are required to be compliant with the most current Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard as well as any other industry, legal or vendor standards and requirements. To protect our customers and the Bojangles System from a potential credit card breach, you must comply with EMV Chip Card and terminal requirements as outlined by the payment card industry.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 37–49)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may be required to upgrade to the most current versions of software and hardware as they become available. This requirement pertains specifically to the point of sale (POS) system. The FDD states there are no contractual limitations on the frequency and costs associated with these upgrades.
For new franchisees who do not currently operate a Bojangles restaurant, using the designated POS system is mandatory. Existing franchisees may be permitted to continue using previously acquired POS systems for a limited time, provided they keep these systems updated and supported. However, eventually, all older systems must be replaced with the POS system designated by Bojangles.
The costs associated with the POS system include annual support services. As of the disclosure date, these costs, as quoted by Xenial, Inc., are $753 for software update maintenance, $889 for menu maintenance-configuration, $1,231 for help desk and telephone support, and $2,160 for network monitoring and maintenance costs. Additionally, the initial cost for the POS system for a traditional full-size restaurant with four terminals is $38,000, plus applicable taxes and shipping. A digital menu board system configured for a dual lane drive thru will cost an additional $60,000. These costs are subject to change, and optional components and services may affect the total expense.