Bojangles The chain—born nearly 48 years ago in North Carolina—has 10 Florida locations, according to its website, but the closest one in Ocala is temporarily closed. Ready to clog arteries at the crack of dawn, Bojangles is famous for its biscuit sandwiches, Bo rounds (aka seasoned hash browns), and Cajun-spiced fried chicken. Bojangles hasn’t had a presence in the Tampa Bay area since the ’80s, but one is opening in Pinellas Park at 7930 US-Hwy 19 N despite no official opening date. Credit: Photo via Bruce VanLoon/Shutterstock
Chain or homegrown, Tampa Bay loves a fried chicken joint—and one that hasn’t had a presence in the area for about three decades has plans to return.

A Bojangles is opening in Pinellas Park at 7930 US-Hwy 19 N, according to St. Pete Rising, which added that there is no official opening date.

The chain—born nearly 48 years ago in North Carolina—has 10 Florida locations, according to its website, but the closest one in Ocala is temporarily closed. Ready to clog arteries at the crack of dawn, Bojangles is famous for its biscuit sandwiches, Bo rounds (aka seasoned hash browns), and Cajun-spiced fried chicken.

Bojangles hasn’t had a presence in the Tampa Bay area since the ’80s—and we guess it’s time to update this list of 25 fast-food chains that aren’t in Tampa Bay, but need to be.

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This article appears in Jun 12-18, 2025.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...