Bojangles just turned a pit stop into a charging opportunity. The beloved fried-chicken chain installed its first EV charging station at a Savannah, Georgia location, with four ports offering a mix of Level 2 and Level 3 fast chargers—and plans to expand this network across all or many of its 800 restaurants in 23 states.
The timing matters. As conversations about electric vehicles often fixate on sales numbers and battery technology, the real infrastructure that will carry EV adoption forward is growing quietly in parking lots across America. Bojangles' move signals something crucial: private companies are betting on EV charging because they see genuine economic sense in it. Retailers from Walmart to Kroger to Wawa have made similar announcements in recent months, suggesting a tipping point where charging infrastructure has become not just an environmental imperative but a competitive advantage.
"Driving trends are changing, and so are the expectations that come with them," said Richard Del Valle, Chief Information Officer at Bojangles. "With EV charging, time becomes an asset. We're turning that stop into something meaningful: a chance to relax, refuel and enjoy a true Bojangles experience. This is about more than charging vehicles, it's about redefining the stop along the way."
The Savannah station was developed by XLR8 America and Energy and Environmental Design Services, with Frank O'Connor, CEO of XLR8 America, emphasizing the practicality of the approach: "When a driver pulls in for a Bo-Berry Biscuit and their battery tops off while they dine, that's not a coincidence—that's the charge-and-dine experience made real."
What makes this significant is where the funding comes from. Unlike many chargers installed through federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grants, the Bojangles stations are privately funded—a vote of confidence that the business case for EV charging has solidified. This matters because public sector funding alone cannot build the dense network of chargers that widespread EV adoption requires. The private sector's enthusiasm suggests that businesses see chargers not as a burden but as an asset that draws customers and keeps them engaged longer.
The goal of having at least four charging ports at each location reflects another shift in thinking: restaurants and retailers are planning for a future where EV drivers are common, not rare. A single charger might have been a publicity stunt a few years ago. Four ports per location is infrastructure designed for scale.
For EV owners contemplating longer drives, this kind of distributed charging network is essential. Unlike gas stations concentrated on highways, a truly convenient charging infrastructure requires networks embedded in everyday destinations—grocery stores, restaurants, retail centers—where drivers naturally stop. Bojangles' expansion could add hundreds of new charging ports to the national grid, making EV ownership more practical for families in 23 states.
The ripple effects extend beyond convenience. Each charging station represents an infrastructure investment that makes electric vehicles more viable, which in turn encourages more people to go electric, which drives demand for more chargers. Bojangles isn't just responding to an existing market for EV charging; it's helping to create one. As more restaurant chains, retailers, and parking operators follow suit, the perception of electric vehicles shifts from "special purchase" to simply how people drive.