Two Black music executives make history owning 32 Bojangles restaurants

Entrepreneurs Mel Carter and Kevin “Coach K” Lee have made history as owners of 32 Bojangles franchises. The music top executives turned entrepreneurs inked the deal through Melanbo, a franchise development company they are part owners of. Melanbo now becomes the largest Black-controlled franchisee in Bojangles’ system. Bojangles is known for its chicken, biscuits, and tea.

The deal involves Melanbo developing 14 new franchises in Atlanta, according to Black Business. This is in addition to their 18 existing franchises in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

“Over the last few years, we have been aggressively seeking opportunities to grow our footprint in Atlanta,” Patricia Halpin, Vice President of Franchise Growth at Bojangles, said, according to Revolt “And we are thrilled to have reached an agreement with two influential voices in the city’s community.”

“[They] bring a unique perspective and energy to our network of operators that will be extremely beneficial to the brand’s growth.”

Carter first came to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago when he was only 12 years old. He co-founded Quality Control, a hip-hopbased in America. According to him, venturing into the culinary industry has been his dream.

“Immigrating from Trinidad and Tobago, it was always my dream to be an owner of a major restaurant franchise,” he said. “Being the largest black owner of a QSR Franchise alongside Coach K at an establishment as great as Bojangles brings me great honour and I am deeply blessed.”

Lee, on the other hand, is a well-known hip-hop mogul. He is a Warner Records executive. He also expressed his gratitude for this opportunity. 

“I’m proud to do this with Carter and to keep pushing forward Black entrepreneurship,” said Lee. “We built our way up in music, he added. “And it’s exciting to branch out in so many ways and to join forces with the No. 1 Black-owned franchise.”

Meanwhile, Carter said he wants his new feat to inspire Black kids that there is no limitation to their dreams. “I am very excited,” he noted. “I hope to be able to inspire teens and Black youth who grew up in underserved, low-income homes.”

“I want them to know they can be successful businessmen, and with an accomplishment as great as this, I am honoured to embody that.”