Highlights
- Bojangles opened its first Arizona restaurant in Gilbert on July 20, 2026, at 3765 S. Val Vista Drive.
- The chain, founded in 1977 and operating nearly 800 locations across 17 states, announced in 2024 plans for 20 Phoenix-area restaurants.
- The Gilbert location opened at 5 a.m. and is staffed by 60 to 70 employees, with an Avondale location expected within the next year.
- Phoenix Business Journal, AZ Family, and AZ Central all confirmed the opening independently.
Bojangles opened its first Arizona restaurant in Gilbert on July 20, 2026, at 3765 S. Val Vista Drive, marking the North Carolina-based chain's entry into a metro it has been targeting since 2024.
The Gilbert location opened at 5 a.m. and the operator projected between 1,000 and 1,500 customers on opening day, according to AZ Family. The restaurant employs between 60 and 70 people at the site.
The opening is the first step in a larger westward push. Bojangles announced in 2024 plans to open 20 new restaurants in the Phoenix area, per AZ Family and the Phoenix Business Journal. A second location in Avondale is expected to follow within the next year.
Founded in 1977, Bojangles now operates nearly 800 restaurants across 17 states. The Gilbert opening represents the chain's first presence in Arizona.
What is Bojangles' expansion plan for Arizona?
Bojangles announced in 2024 plans to open 20 new restaurants in the Phoenix area as part of its westward expansion. The Gilbert location at 3765 S. Val Vista Drive is the first; an Avondale location is expected to open within the next year.
The Avondale opening timeline and additional site announcements will signal how quickly the operator intends to execute on the 20-unit commitment.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 20/07/2026 15:19
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 20/07/2026 15:19. Every claim traces to a source.
