Under what circumstances might a Bojangles cooperative arrangement with new franchisees require 85% of the votes?
Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s a DMA with two or more members.
The following provisions apply generally to cooperatives:
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- Each cooperative will elect a chairman who has the authority to call and conduct meetings, to collect contributions from members and deposit the funds, as trustee, in a bank account and to have signature authority over such funds, to bring collection actions to collect delinquent contributions and to perform general administrative and accounting functions. The chairman may be elected for one year or until his successor has been duly elected. A majority vote of the membership may remove the chairman at any time.
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- The membership of the cooperative may periodically designate or appoint an individual or committee to supervise or to conduct the advertising functions for the cooperative.
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, a cooperative arrangement with new franchisees may require 85% of the votes in some markets. This condition applies specifically in markets where pre-existing franchised Bojangles restaurants are already in operation. This elevated voting threshold suggests that in established markets, new franchisees may face a higher bar to influence cooperative decisions, potentially giving existing franchisees greater control over advertising and marketing strategies within their area.
This higher voting percentage could impact a new franchisee's ability to shape advertising campaigns or introduce new marketing ideas in their local market. For instance, if a new franchisee has a unique marketing strategy, securing its approval might be challenging without the support of a significant majority of existing franchisees. This could limit the new franchisee's flexibility and ability to tailor marketing efforts to their specific customer base or local conditions.
Prospective franchisees should carefully consider the implications of this voting requirement, especially if they are entering a market with well-established Bojangles restaurants. Understanding the dynamics of the local cooperative and the existing franchisees' preferences will be crucial for navigating this aspect of the franchise agreement. It would be prudent to discuss this voting threshold with current franchisees in similar markets to gauge its practical impact on decision-making and marketing initiatives.