Florence to Open Unique Walk-Up Bojangles Restaurant

News Summary

Florence, South Carolina will unveil a walk-up Bojangles restaurant in early summer 2025 at 130 S. Irby St. This location is set to offer a unique dining experience without a drive-thru or onsite parking. Originally scheduled for late fall 2024, renovations have extended the timeline. The restaurant, significantly smaller than traditional Bojangles eateries, aims to attract foot traffic from nearby Francis Marion University and enhance the local dining landscape.

Florence Set to Welcome Unique Walk-Up Bojangles Restaurant

Florence, South Carolina is set to unveil a new walk-up Bojangles restaurant at 130 S. Irby St. in early summer 2025. This location will be distinctively different from traditional Bojangles eateries, offering a new dining experience without a drive-thru or onsite parking.

Originally announced in July 2024 with plans for a late fall 2024 opening, renovations have extended the timeline due to unforeseen delays. The new target opening date is now early summer 2025, and ongoing renovations are currently in progress.

Construction and Location

This walk-up Bojangles will occupy a footprint of half the size of a standard restaurant, which will limit kitchen space and the number of menu offerings. It will be located between King Jefe and S/W Printing in a growing downtown area that is seeing an uptick in restaurant development. Notably, this Bojangles will be the first chain restaurant in downtown Florence, where 14 other restaurants currently operate.

The establishment is being developed by Melanbo, one of the largest franchise groups associated with Bojangles. Melanbo also runs traditional Bojangles locations across South Carolina and Georgia. The visibility of the restaurant from South Irby Street is anticipated to be a critical factor in attracting customers. The restaurant aims to draw foot traffic from the nearby Francis Marion University campus, enhancing its appeal to students and local residents.

Menu Features

A unique menu is currently being developed for this location, which may include popular items such as milkshakes, lemonade, and cold-brew coffee. There are discussions in progress regarding the possible inclusion of beer and wine, though this feature has not yet been finalized. The limited kitchen space may result in a smaller selection of menu items compared to standard Bojangles restaurants, as the design focuses on a nontraditional experience that steps away from typical chain aesthetics.

Context and Going Forward

As of the end of 2024, South Carolina hosted 146 Bojangles restaurants, with Florence featuring three, in addition to one in nearby Lake City. This new walk-up location aims to enhance the local food scene, which includes anticipated newcomers like Panda Express, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Positano Italian Specialty Foods. The strategy behind the unique Bojangles concept is to create an inviting and casual interior, complete with local artwork, while emphasizing a relaxed dining atmosphere.

As renovations continue, the new walk-up Bojangles is expected to become a vibrant addition to Florence’s downtown dining choices, paving the way for further development in the area and potentially setting a standard for future restaurant concepts.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Bojangles Downtown Florence Restaurant
• Wikipedia: Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits
• WBTW: New Concept Bojangles Set to Open in Downtown Florence
• Google Search: Bojangles Florence South Carolina
• ABC News 4: First of Its Kind Bojangles Location Coming to Downtown Florence
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Bojangles