Bojangles, the North Carolina-based chicken sandwich chain with 800-plus locations primarily across the Southeast, has launched its first DC fast-charging station at a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. The move reflects a broader shift among quick-service restaurants to capture the EV driving audience by offering charging infrastructure alongside food service.
The charging station targets a specific customer behavior: drivers who need to charge while eating. Fast-food stops align naturally with DC charging sessions, which typically take 20 to 45 minutes depending on vehicle battery size and charger output. Bojangles joins a growing list of QSR chains recognizing that EV owners represent an expanding demographic with disposable income and predictable travel patterns.
This deployment arrives as EV adoption accelerates in the Southeast, where Tesla's presence and legacy automaker electric offerings have expanded rapidly. Bojangles' geographic footprint in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina positions the chain to serve long-distance EV travelers and daily commuters alike.
The economics work for restaurant operators. Charging stations generate revenue directly through per-kWh fees and indirectly by anchoring customers for the duration of a charging session. A 30-minute fast-charge becomes a captive dining opportunity. Bojangles can leverage its existing real estate and utility infrastructure while differentiating itself from competitors lacking charging amenities.
However, Bojangles faces infrastructure challenges. Deploying DC fast chargers at scale requires significant electrical upgrades, particularly at older locations. The company will need to evaluate site selection carefully, prioritizing high-traffic corridors and markets with stronger EV adoption rates.
This pilot in Savannah suggests Bojangles is testing the concept before broader rollout. If successful, expect expansion across its regional footprint, particularly along I-95 and I-75 corridors connecting major Southeast population centers