As Bojangles’ prepares to open its 100th location in South Carolina, the company is celebrating the passion that customers from the Upstate to the Lowcountry and from the Midlands to the Grand Strand have shown for the company’s products.

Company leaders are also celebrating a more than $40 million economic impact in the Palmetto State over the last three years, part of an aggressive expansion program at a time when many businesses are contracting or even shutting their doors.

Since 2008, Bojangles’ has opened 22 new restaurants in South Carolina, representing a $38 million investment. Each new store creates 25-30 jobs in the local community, which equates to 600 or more jobs in the past three years. The company also spent $3 million remodeling 20 existing locations, bringing its total capital investment to more than $40 million.

“We all hear about the recession that is having such a negative impact on many businesses, but Bojangles’ simply chooses not to participate,” says Bojangles’ president and CEO Randy Kibler. “To better serve our customers, we are investing in new restaurants and updating our current facilities across the state of South Carolina.”

Along with investing capital dollars in the state and establishing new jobs for South Carolina workers, Bojangles’ has created additional state revenues in numerous ways. Through sales and income tax, the opening of additional locations provides increased funding for state and local governments. Bojangles’ restaurants purchase many products locally, use local companies for needs such as landscaping and repairs, and support community charities.

Throughout the next seven weeks, Bojangles’ is conducting a statewide tour to celebrate its 30-year history in South Carolina and the opening of its 100th location on May 26 in Columbia. This celebration is not only to honor the chain’s heritage in the state but to also exhibit its commitment to the future of Bojangles’ in South Carolina. The Bojangles’ Cruisin’ S.C. R.V. is visiting every Bojangles’ location in the state leading up to the May 26 event. Each Cruisin’ R.V. Tour Stop will feature free Bojangles’ food items, 1979 rollback prices all day, and a chance to win one of 100 Bahamas cruises – a winner will be chosen at each individual restaurant.

“This statewide tour and May 26 celebration event is to recognize our many loyal customers throughout South Carolina,“ Kibler says. “We are truly excited to be able to thank them for their patronage over the last 30 years, and look forward to serving them Bojangles’ delicious and flavorful food for many more years.”