What kind of staff must a Bojangles franchisee maintain for the Restaurant?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The franchised Restaurant must at all times be under the direct, on premises supervision of a Restaurant manager who has satisfactorily completed our initial training program. You must also maintain a competent, conscientious, trained staff, including fully-trained manager, assistant managers and shift leaders for the Restaurant. We impose no limitations as to who you may hire as the Restaurant manager, except that you must comply with all applicable laws and that you must not harm the goodwill associated with the Bojangles System and the Proprietary Marks (this requirement may affect who you hire as your manager).
In entering into the Franchise Agreement with us, you will acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for all employment decisions and functions of your Restaurant including, without limitation, decisions or actions related to hiring, firing, training, compliance with wage and hour requirements, personnel policies, scheduling benefits, recordkeeping, supervision, and discipline of employees. You will further agree that we will not be deemed a joint employer with you for any reason. If we incur any cost, expense, loss, or damage as a result of any of your actions or omissions or your employees, including any that relate to any party making a finding of any joint employer status, you must fully indemnify us for such cost, expense, loss, or damage.
Your Managing Owner, Designated Operator, Restaurant manager and other Restaurant employees may be required to enter into an agreement not to compete with Restaurants under the Bojangles System and an agreement not to reveal confidential information obtained in the course of their employment with you. See Item 17 for a description of these obligations.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 53–54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must ensure the restaurant is always under the direct, on-premises supervision of a restaurant manager who has successfully completed Bojangles's initial training program. The franchisee is also required to maintain a competent, conscientious, and trained staff. This includes a fully trained manager, assistant managers, and shift leaders.
Bojangles does not impose limitations on who the franchisee may hire as the restaurant manager, provided that the franchisee complies with all applicable laws and does not harm the goodwill associated with the Bojangles system and its proprietary marks. This requirement could potentially influence the franchisee's hiring decisions for the manager position.
The FDD emphasizes that the franchisee is solely responsible for all employment decisions and functions within their Bojangles restaurant. This includes, but is not limited to, hiring, firing, training, compliance with wage and hour requirements, personnel policies, scheduling benefits, recordkeeping, supervision, and employee discipline. Bojangles will not be considered a joint employer for any reason. Franchisees are responsible for indemnifying Bojangles for any costs, expenses, losses, or damages resulting from the franchisee's actions, omissions, or those of their employees, including any findings of joint employer status.
Furthermore, the Managing Owner, Designated Operator, Restaurant manager, and other restaurant employees may be required to sign an agreement not to compete with other Bojangles restaurants and an agreement not to disclose confidential information obtained during their employment. This is a common practice in franchising to protect the brand's interests and trade secrets.