Downtown Florence is getting a Bojangles, but it's not what you'd expect (2024)

FLORENCE — Southerners know Bojangles.

The sight of a big, yellow sign coming up over the horizon. The smell of fresh fried chicken and warm, buttered biscuits wafting all the way to the drive-thru line. The first sip of a cold sweet tea on a hot summer day.

Downtown Florence is getting a Bojangles like no other.

There could be beer, wine and new decorations. There won’t be a drive-thru. There might not even be fried chicken.

“I figured I can’t put a traditional Bojangles, that’s not going to work,” Melanbo President and CEO Robert Andreottola said. “We would do a nontraditional location, a nontraditional menu and a nontraditional beverage program. I call it a walk-up.”

Melanbo is one of the largest Bojangles franchise groups with some Bojangles restaurants already in the area. The group has 17 traditional locations across South Carolina and Georgia.

Downtown Florence's location will be a step outside the box for them.

It’ll be nestled between downtown’s taco bar, King Jefe and S/W Printing.

The upcoming location is about half the size of a traditional Bojangles, Andreottola said. Less square footage means less space for kitchen equipment which equals less space to make Bojangles’ iconic bone-in fried chicken.

Bone-in fried chicken is up in the air for the new location while the company settles on a menu, Andreottola said, but it likely won’t make the cut. Instead, they’ll offer most of Bojangles’ other menu items alongside a few unique selections.

Milkshakes, lemonades and cold-brew coffee could be in the cards, Andreottola said. Beer and wine also could make an appearance, but most menu decisions haven’t been finalized.

“This would be a one-off,” Andreottola said. “This would be more of a local restaurant serving the local public. That’s what we want to make this.”

Andreottola plans to hire a South Carolina artist for all the restaurant’s paintings, he said. The interior will be softer and more casual than that of a normal Bojangles, with almost none of the “chain look.” Customers will be able to come in, order and have their food brought to their table.

The concept for downtown Florence’s Bojangles location hasn’t been done, Andreottola said, but he has faith in the model’s success. Near-constant daytime buzz and the area’s foot traffic were selling points for the location.

A chain will be new to Florence’s downtown scene, but it's a welcome addition, the city of Florence's Downtown Development Manager Hannah Davis said.

“It’s exciting to have an option that is kind of universally recognized,” Davis said. “It’s exciting to have that and a good price point.”

Downtown’s Bojangles will be between a few of Francis Marion University’s academic buildings and a major parking garage. For Davis, a college student’s walk from class to their car could mean success.

Besides foot traffic, Bojangles will be visible from South Irby Street, one of Florence’s busiest roads. It helps guide Interstate 95 travelers into town and is a direct connection from North Florence to South Florence.

The new location is expected to open before November at 130 S. Irby Street in Florence, Andreottola said. For now, they’re nailing down final designs, layouts and menus.