*UPDATE: A previous version of this article featured an image of bone-in chicken. This has been corrected as the Grand Rapids location (and all Bojangles expansion locations) will serve boneless chicken.

The battle for fast food chicken supremacy between Chick-fil-A, KFC, and Popeyes will soon see another competitor enter the fray as Bojangles has announced it will open its first location in Michigan by the end of 2025. Known for its Southern-style chicken and biscuits, this could be a significant shake-up for Grand Rapids.

97.9 WGRD logo
Get our free mobile app

Because yes, Grand Rapids has been chosen as the location for the sole Bojangles location. By the end of 2025, it will be Bo Time.

Photo provided by Bojangles
Photo provided by Bojangles
loading...

Bojangles 2025 Expansion

Yesterday, Bojangles announced it would be opening 18 new locations in eight states by the end of 2025. Six of these new stores will be located in new markets, including Tennessee, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Michigan. Bojangles has over 850 stores in 20 states, with more locations to come. For Michigan, Wyoming has been identified as the city of choice.

READ MORE: Raising Cane’s Coming to Grand Rapids and More Across Michigan

According to the locations page on Bojangles, Bojangles will be moving into the former Main St. Pub building on 28th Street. The company stated that the locations will be open by the end of 2025, which would be a relatively quick turnaround for the brand. 

Bojangles via Facebook
Bojangles via Facebook
loading...

Reactions to the announcement on the r/GrandRapids subreddit have been overwhelmingly positive, so people are clearly excited to get their hands on southern-style delicacies.

Photo provided by Bojangles
Photo provided by Bojangles
loading...

More and more chains are making their move to West Michigan as the area continues to boom, with recent additions from big brands like Casey's General Store and Raising Cane's, as well as the return of the iconic Hot N Now in Wayland.

Hot n Now Wayland Opening Day

The second Hot n Now in Michigan (and the entire country) opened today in Wayland, across the street from the Gun Lake Casino and Resort. The turnout for opening day was crazy. It took two and a half hours in line to get served at the window. But this is definitely still the food people fell in love with years ago.

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill

What’s New to Eat? 35+ West Michigan Restaurants Now Open in 2025

Looking to explore West Michigan’s booming restaurant scene? More than 35 new dining destinations have opened in 2025 across Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Wyoming, Hudsonville, and Holland — and the list keeps growing!

From fresh bakeries and authentic Mexican restaurants to Cajun eateries, burger joints, Vietnamese spots, vegan places, a footlong hot dog establishment, and even a beloved Grand Rapids breakfast and lunch favorite brought back to life, there’s something for every taste. Don’t miss the new bars and food trucks shaking things up too!

Bookmark this list and check back often — we’re adding more of West Michigan’s newest restaurants all year long.

Gallery Credit: Janna

More From 97.9 WGRD