Bojangles' and South Carolina Future Minds Announce Plans for Inaugural Teacher Appreciation Month

COLUMBIA, S.C., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Bojangles' and South Carolina Future Minds today announced plans for the inaugural South Carolina Teacher Appreciation Month.  Throughout the month of May, members of the community will have the opportunity to join Bojangles' and South Carolina Future Minds in thanking and supporting the state's extraordinary teachers for their dedication to South Carolina's children and making a positive impact on their lives through education.

To kick off teacher appreciation month, Bojangles' surprised the newly named 2010-2011 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Kelly Nalley, a Spanish teacher at Greenville County School District's Fork Shoals Elementary School, with a five-night Bahamas cruise at an event earlier today.  Throughout Teacher Appreciation Month Bojangles' will be offering all South Carolina teachers a free legendary sweet tea or soda with any purchase whenever they visit a South Carolina Bojangles'.  The restaurant chain will also be donating 5 cents to South Carolina Future Minds for each beverage purchased at a Bojangles' in South Carolina, up to $10,000.  

"Everyone at Bojangles' is extremely excited to be part of the first Teacher Appreciation Month in South Carolina, and we are all looking forward to the opportunity to recognize the many teachers throughout this state who deserve a very big thank you for everything they do," said Bojangles' President and CEO  Randy Kibler.  "Along with the commitment that Bojangles' has made to public education in South Carolina, I am personally excited about the chance to thank these amazing educators, as I grew up here and received my education in South Carolina's  public school system."

South Carolina Future Minds is providing members of the community with a chance to honor their favorite teachers by submitting their stories at www.SCFutureMinds.com.  One of the teachers honored throughout Teacher Appreciation Month will be randomly selected to receive a cruise, courtesy of Bojangles'.  South Carolina Future Minds will also reach out to every teacher recognized on its Web site and pass along the notes of gratitude they received.

"Nearly everyone can trace their path in life back to at least one teacher that had a tremendous impact, who altered their life's direction. Teacher Appreciation Month now makes it easier to reach back and honor those teachers. Bojangles' involvement offers added incentive to all of us to thank one teacher, knowing that we will not only surprise them with our thanks, but may also surprise them with the trip of a lifetime," said Executive Director of S.C. Future Minds Trip DuBard.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Jim Rex commended Bojangles' and South Carolina Future Minds for their new initiative.  

"This is a terrific example of private-sector support for public schools," Rex said.  "South Carolina's teachers deserve to be recognized for what they do every day, and thanks to these generous corporate sponsors, they're getting some of that recognition."

About Bojangles'

Founded in 1977 in Charlotte, N.C., Bojangles' Restaurants Inc. serves only the highest quality and most flavorful food to its loyal customers. Bojangles' kitchens prepare all their proprietary menu items from scratch.   A special blend of seasonings gives the food its unique Bojangles' flavor. The restaurants core menu features Bojangles' Cajun Spiced chicken, fresh, made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits and legendary iced tea steeped the old-fashioned way.  The breakfast menu offers biscuit sandwiches such as Cajun Filet, seasoned sausage, steak, country ham, and egg and cheese biscuits. Bojangles' also features unique fixin's such as Dirty Rice™, Cajun Pintos™ and Seasoned Fries.  These items have allowed Bojangles' to corner the market on flavor.  Bojangles' customers have come to expect great tasting food, and we are dedicated to exceeding their expectations at breakfast, lunch and dinner.   Our strong performance in all three day parts is what sets Bojangles' apart from all other restaurants.  First franchised in 1978, Bojangles' boasts more than 467 total locations throughout the southeast. Bojangles' has 300 franchised and 167 company operated locations. By the end of 2010, Bojangles' will have approximately 500 locations open. For more information, please visit www.bojangles.com.

SOURCE Bojangles' Restaurants Inc.