Fried Chicken ‘n Biscuits and Business: Interview with Montgomery, AL Bojangles Franchisee Aki Henderson
Bojangles is a beloved, flavorful Southeastern fast-food chain that’s on the road to becoming nationally known. The Charlotte-based restaurant chain, with its lip smacking chicken, savory sides, and buttermilk biscuits, stretches from Pennsylvania to Mississippi, and will soon be moving out west.
Aki Henderson, an Asheville, North Carolina native, comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. Today, Aki holds the title as the one and only franchisee of Bojangles in the Montgomery area, including Prattville, Wetumpka, and Selma. Aki has completely locked down this market with her first location of 9066 Eastchase Parkway, where she’s continuing the tradition of “serving the best chicken and biscuits money can buy since 1977.” Ironically, Aki and Bojangles were both born in North Carolina the same year.
Even though business management and hospitality has always been her area of expertise, when balancing business and family began to be too much to bear alone, she partnered with her father, a powerhouse businessman, to start a franchise through their company, H&S Foods, LLC.
If you’re wondering to yourself, “Hmm, now how did she get access to funding?” If you ask her, Aki will tell you, “Savings, savings, and savings, and some help from my father, who is also my partner.” Little did she know, her latest venture with Bojangles Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits would inspire her to build relationships within the Montgomery community.
Read more about how Aki triumphed against all odds, why she chose to enter franchising with Bojangles, and how she’s inspiring others to pursue their dreams in her virtual sit down with Kin + Dignity Magazine:
Aki Henderson, Owner of Bojangles Montgomery.
Is entrepreneurship a part of your family history?
Yes, my dad has owned five dealerships over his lifetime including Ford, Chrysler, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler Dodge, and Nissan. I was the general manager at his dealership for 10 years and I learned a lot about business from working with him. He was my mentor through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I started raking leaves and cutting grass at 8 years old to buy my mom a Christmas gift. Even as a little girl I would find ways to make money. My grandfather was an insurance agent, and my brother is now an insurance agent, so that entrepreneurship lineage came from my father’s side.
Why franchise? And why with Bojangles?
I’ve always had Bojangles in my life. Their food is good! Plus, franchising gives you a footprint. You’re not really on your own and you have guidance. When done right, Bojangles can be a very profitable business. With franchises like McDonald’s, you don’t own the real estate. Bojangles gives us the freedom to own or lease our own property, and we can even set up two different business entities.
The comfort of being with a franchise is you get the training, proven methods, and guidance along the way for best practices. It’s a safety net when you’re working with a company that has proven success. Some franchises give you a limit, but Bojangles gives us the ability to own as much as we like and there is room for growth.
When did your Bojangles open and why did you choose the Montgomery, AL market?
We opened in May of 2019.
Prior to us owning the building there was another Bojangles franchisee who opened 3 locations in Montgomery. One day, he just packed his bags and disappeared and left brand new, beautiful buildings, so we didn’t have to build from the ground up. People were driving past Bojangles every day, but what we did not consider was the reputation and the impression that the previous franchisee left in the community.
The first year, I worked hard on rebuilding the brand and reputation here in Montgomery, and it’s working! Everything is growing beyond my belief. We had to earn people's trust back and it took some time. That had to be one of my biggest professional challenges ever.
I was attracted to Montgomery because of the history with Civil Rights and the people here are very friendly. I was welcomed with open arms.
Photo courtesy of Aki Henderson.
What makes your Bojangles different? What do you do best?
We make people feel like they are a part of our family. I love people and I enjoy making people feel at home and valued. Our customers know our names and we know their kids and grandkids.
My favorite customer is Linda. She started off as a complaint because she was unhappy about the amount of cheese we put on her biscuit and now we are close friends.
We are everyone’s family and people want us to succeed and that’s how we won Montgomery back over. We have good food, but people come because of our staff. To us, the customers are the boss.
With COVID happening, how has Bojangles been an attainable source of food to people when it comes to feeding their families? How much can one spend to feed their family?
When COVID first came to be, I wanted to roll up and die. I thought I was going to fail, but I had to get smart. I came up with some $1 deals and promos and our sales spiked because our food became more affordable.
One of our customers would come by 3-4 times a week and buy 2 of our dollar bacon biscuits. He shared that if it weren’t for us, he wouldn’t be able to eat because his income has gone down due to COVID.
You wouldn’t think that serving fast food would make a difference in people's lives, but it can -- chicken and biscuits at that.
What does it mean for you to not just have a black-owned business, but employ other people that look like you?
My whole staff is Black, and it’s not even on purpose. Montgomery is 56% African American.
A couple of my employees are on probation and started off as chicken cooks. They are now managers. They never had that opportunity because of their criminal background and the color of their skin, and I’m in a position to give them those opportunities and that brings me joy! One of my employees used to sell drugs and now he’s working 40-45 hours a week and he provides for his family. To see him growing and being polite to customers brings me joy and I love it.
To be in a position where you can show people that there’s a different way of life and to empower them is why we need more black businesses. It’s not just about building yourself up to that point, it’s about bringing other people up. It’s our responsibility. I don’t want to move on up to the Eastside and forget everyone on the West. I want to bring them with me if they allow me to.
What are your long-term goals for your business?
I want to be a multi-unit operator of at least 10 locations. I want to find the right people so I can build a super bowl team and go out and get 90 stores. I may venture into other franchises or opportunities that allow me to serve people how I do now.
What inspires and motivates you in your business? What’s your why?
It’s bigger than me. I want to be an example that it can be done. I had my son at 16 years old and had my daughter while attending The Ohio State University.
Despite the odds, I did it and I didn’t stop even when I had every reason to stop. I want people to see that if you want something bad enough you can really get it. I’m a huge Beyoncé fan and in her documentary, Homecoming, she quotes a Spelman alumna that says,
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
I want people to see me and be inspired. My kids saw how hard I worked, and they are both on their way up. My daughter graduated from Spelman University and my son from Grambling State University. And it wasn’t just me, it was God. I mean, what 16-year-old knows how to raise a child? I want more of our children to see that their goals are attainable.
Is there anything you would like readers to know?
That nothing is impossible, and nothing is easy but it’s worth it.
Support Bojangles of Montgomery
Next time you’re in Alabama, and you got a craving for some southern homestyle fixin’s, swing by Bojangles Montgomery. You’ll be glad you did!
In the meantime, learn more about Aki’s Bojangles of Montgomery at www.bojanglesmontgomery.com and keep up with the latest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BojanglesMontgomery1301.
