During Bojangles’ recent leadership conference, several of the company’s heroes – the team members who provide customers with great service and tasty, top-quality chicken, biscuits and fixin’s each day—were recognized for their achievements. Top awards went to Jayesh Patel, Unit Director of the Year, and Janet Lynch, Area Director of the Year.
Patel, who oversees daily operations of Bojangles’ in Buford, Ga., was awarded a five-day cruise and $800 as Bojangles’ Unit Director of the Year. Area Director of the Year, Lynch was also awarded a five-day cruise and $800 for her work managing operations of 8 restaurants around the Rockingham, Wadesboro, Laurinburg and Albemarle, N.C., areas.
“The hard work and dedication of great leaders like Janet, Jayesh and many other valued restaurant team members make Bojangles’ the strong, growing brand it is today,” said Bojangles’ Vice President of Operations Kenny Avery. “Within the next few weeks we will be opening our 500th location, and we know Bojangles’ couldn’t have reached this milestone without the great people in all our restaurants.”
In addition to systemwide winners for unit and area director of the year, each region within the company also recognized a number of unit directors for outstanding performance. Patel was named Bojangles’ top unit director in Region One while Cuc Acquino, of the Bojangles’ in Lawrenceville, Ga., was named the region’s Star Performer. Region Two, comprised of parts of South and North Carolina recognized Unit Director Cynthia Mitchell, of the Bojangles’ in Spencer, N.C., as a Star Performer and named Emily Nichols of the Bojangles’ in Wadesboro, N.C., as the regional Unit Director of the Year. Region Three, covering Maryland and parts of North Carolina, recognized Star Performer Teresa Foley of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Unit Director of the Year Melissa Lewis of Boone, N.C.
“Having the opportunity to recognize these tremendous members of our organization is one of the best parts of my job,” added Avery, “because these are the people who ensure Bojangles’ customers receive the delicious food and top-notch service they have come to expect when they visit our restaurants.”