finally!

Favorite Southern fried chicken chain Bojangles flies into Houston area next year

Bojangles is coming to Texas.

Courtesy of Bojangles

One of America's fried chicken favorites has set its sights on Houston. Bojangles has signed a franchise agreement with Khalid Siddiqui of LASH Foods, LLC to open at least three locations in the Houston market.

Beginning in early 2022, Siddiqui will open restaurants in Humble, Conroe, and The Woodlands, a representative tells CultureMap. Exact addresses are yet to be determined.

For those unfamiliar with the brand's reputation, Bojangles enjoys a strong following across the Southeast — think of it as the In-N-Out Burger of regional fried chicken joints. Founded in 1977, the Charlotte-based restaurant has over 750 locations in 14 states.

It is known for its made-from-scratch biscuits, hand-breaded chicken, and Southern-inspired sides such as dirty rice, mac and cheese, and Cajun pinto beans. Pair them with the restaurant's "Legendary Iced Tea" (aka sweet tea).

In addition to opening in Houston, the company will make a big push into Dallas. Franchisees Sajib Singha and Asish Baidya of SAT Restaurant Group will open three restaurant in the Dallas suburbs of Garland, Richardson, and Mesquite. Additionally, Bojangles will also open 15 corporate-owned locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

“Get ready, Texans, because our delicious chicken and biscuits are headed your way, and we can’t wait to serve you up some real deal, Southern flavor like only Bojangles does,” said Jose Costa, Bojangles’ chief growth officer, in a statement. “We’re proud to be working alongside two experienced, multi-unit operators in LASH Foods and SAT Restaurant Group to make the move to Texas, and we look forward to the great successes that will come from those partnerships.”

After being primarily a Southern phenomenon, Bojangles recently signed two franchisee agreements that will see it add 45 stores, including in Columbus, Ohio, and 40 stories, including 15 in Orlando, Florida.

“Growth is the name of the game, and we’re throwing our hat in the ring,” Costa said. “We’ve built a beloved, well-respected brand based on integrity, hospitality and just plain good food, and now we’ve got our sights set on bringing that brand across the nation.”

For Texans who've experienced Cajun Chicken Biscuit sandwiches and Bo-Tato Rounds, the expansions can't come quickly enough.

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flying into pasadena

Aggie favorite chicken tenders spot hatches 3 new Houston-area stores

Photo by Becca Wright

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An Aggieland favorite is expanding its presence across the Houston area. Layne’s Chicken Fingers will open three new locations between now and February, franchisee Masroor Fatany tells CultureMap.

In order from December to February, they are:

Pasadena: A former Pollo Campero at 5000 Fairmont
Mission Bend: A former Church’s Chicken at 6810 S Highway 6
Nederland: A former Mazzio’s Pizza at 3028 FM 365

Adding three locations to his existing stores in Garden Oaks, River Oaks/Montrose, Katy, and Beaumont reflects strong customer demand, Fatany says. The Beaumont location broke sales records in its opening weeks, which is why Fatany sought out the nearby Nederland location.

Founded in College Station in 1994, the restaurant serves a tightly focused menu of chicken tenders, chicken tender sandwiches, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, potato salad, and milkshakes. All of its self-described "Soon to be Famous" chicken fingers are cut by hand, marinated, and breaded on-site. They can be paired with one of six dipping sauces: Layne’s Secret Sauce, described as "the perfect blend of tangy, spicy, zesty, and peppery flavors;" buttermilk ranch; barbecue; jalapeno ranch; gravy; and honey mustard.

“People enjoy the Layne’s chicken recipe,” Fatany says. “They like our spicy chicken fingers. They like that we have multiple sauce options.”

The brand is growing far beyond its roots. In the coming months, other franchisees will open in markets such as Nashville, Virginia, and parts of Florida. For Fatany, the company’s first franchisee and someone who has been a customer since his days as a student at Texas A&M, it’s an exciting time.

“By 2027, you’re going to see dozens of more units as people rally around Layne’s Chicken Fingers as a brand. It won’t be long before it becomes a household name in Texas,” Fatany predicts.

Of course, all three stores will need employees. Those interested in applying will find more information at the AYG Food Services website.