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Restaurant chain Bojangles has hired Steven Gold as its new vice president of real estate to push its expansion plans forward.
Gold will oversee Bojangles' real estate strategy and manage site selection, including helping the chain expand into the new markets, Bojangles Chief Development Officer Jim Cannon said in a press release.
In January, Bojangles announced a robust expansion plan and desire to expand its largely Southeastern presence to more states. In addition to adding to its Illinois, Texas and Florida footprints, it is entering new markets such as Arizona and California. Bojangles has more than 800 locations in 17 states and plans to open 270 more by the end of the year.
Gold has over three decades of experience and a background in real estate development for retail and restaurant brands. His resume includes being senior director of real estate and development for Wendy's and senior director of real estate at Logan's Roadhouse.
He was previously division president at Capital Growth Buchalter, a construction, development, investment and management firm that has developed more than $2.5B in real estate. Its client roster includes McDonald's, Raising Cane's, Chick-Fil-A and Bojangles.
“With the brand’s rich history and strong presence in the Southern markets, I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and success,” Gold said in a press release.
Bojangles is one of the many restaurant chains revving up real estate plans, joining the ranks of brands Chipotle and Cava, which announced hundreds of new locations last year. Earlier this month, Starbucks went full-steam ahead with updated store designs and location strategy, with 650 new locations on the short-term docket and 12,000 more by 2030.
Other restaurants have seen better days. Red Lobster is restructuring its debt while looking for a buyer. Tropical Smoothie Cafe just found one in Blackstone, which announced last week its purchase of the company and debt for almost $2B.
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