Non-traditional venues (military bases, airport terminals, transit stations) are attracting QSR brands looking to reach captive, high-traffic audiences. Bojangles, the Charlotte-born franchise brand built on scratch-made biscuits and Southern-style chicken, signed a four-unit development agreement in Norfolk, Virginia, with Faber, Coe & Gregg of Florida, a multi-brand operator running more than 60 hospitality and retail locations.
Founded in 1978, Bojangles has built a network of close to 800 locations concentrated in the Southeast. The franchise concept has been extending its presence along the East Coast, targeting Virginia, Maryland and the broader mid-Atlantic corridor. I
ts new franchise partner for this deal, Faber, Coe & Gregg of Florida, was established in 1848 and operates brands including Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Sonic. The company’s track record in airports, transit stations and other non-standard settings made it a strong candidate for this type of agreement.
Bojangles Enters Its First Military Base and Airport in Virginia
The four-unit agreement covers two confirmed locations in the Norfolk area: the brand’s first-ever restaurant on a U.S. military installation, and a new cafe at Norfolk International Airport. Two additional non-traditional Bojangles locations are planned under the same commitment, to be developed over the next six years.
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Faber, Coe & Gregg was founded in 1848, making it one of the longest-operating restaurant and hospitality groups in the United States. The company runs more than 60 locations spanning airports, transit stations, military-adjacent venues and traditional sites, with a portfolio that includes Dunkin’, Sonic, Jimmy John’s and Wetzel’s Pretzels.
Why Non-Traditional Sites Are a Growing QSR Priority
Airports and military installations have become a growing focus for QSR expansion teams, particularly where real estate costs for traditional pad sites remain elevated. These venues typically combine reliable daily traffic, a limited number of competing food options on-site, and long-term concession agreements that provide operational predictability. Faber, Coe & Gregg’s existing experience in airport and transit environments positions it to handle the specific licensing and compliance requirements that federal and airport-managed locations involve.
Norfolk as an Entry Point Into Virginia’s Military Corridor
Norfolk sits at the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, one of the most military-dense regions in the United States and home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval installation. The city’s population includes a large concentration of active-duty personnel, veterans and federal civilian employees, all of whom represent a built-in customer base for food service operators. Bojangles’ entry via captive venues rather than traditional street-level sites reflects a pattern seen across several franchise brands expanding into new geographies. The chain has publicly listed Virginia among its priority franchise development territories for 2026, with development agreements typically requiring a minimum commitment of three locations per market.
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