CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc. today announced the company’s board of directors has appointed Clifton Rutledge as Chief Executive Officer effective January 24. Rutledge joins Bojangles’ from Texas-based hamburger chain Whataburger, succeeding current CEO Randy Kibler, who announced his plans to retire from this role in September, but will remain active as Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. Additionally, Bojangles’ has promoted its Senior Vice President of Company Operations Kenny Avery to Chief Operations Officer.
Now at the helm of Bojangles’ leadership team, Rutledge will be responsible for leading the company’s ongoing expansion in its core markets concentrated in the Southeast and building upon the brand’s strong same-store sales following an impressive run of expansion and growth for which Bojangles’ continues to receive recognition.