Gold is a Longtime Fan of the Fast-Food Brand
Bojangles, a popular North Carolina-based restaurant franchise that specializes in breakfast and Southern-style chicken, biscuits and tea, has named Steve Gold as vice president of real estate. He will oversee the brand’s real estate strategy and site selection management to foster growth in targeted areas, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois and Texas. He brings more than 30 years of experience to the position.
During his time in the Tar Heel State, Gold became a passionate consumer of Bojangles biscuits. He said he believes in the strength of the concept and is excited to take it beyond its Southeastern roots. “With my lifelong career spent in retail and restaurant development, managing and developing effective teams, creating and improving processes, and handling diverse projects on a regional, multi-regional and national basis, I look forward to bringing my expertise to such an iconic brand,” he said.
Gold’s résumé boasts experience as division president at Capital Growth Buchalter, senior director of real estate for Logan’s Roadhouse, vice president of development for AmRest, and senior director of real estate and development for Wendy’s. He also has done multi-unit program development for FOCUS Brands and Mattress Firm.
CDO Jim Cannon expressed confidence that Gold will utilize his skills and background to take Bojangles to the next level. “Steve’s appointment as our new vice president of real estate marks an exciting chapter for Bojangles. His extensive experience and strategic vision will be invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint and bring our beloved Southern flavors to new communities. We’re thrilled to welcome Steven to the Bojangles family and look forward to his leadership in driving our growth and success.”
Real Estate and Business Success
Throughout his career, Gold has had a passion for finding great sites for businesses. “No two trade areas are alike, and the nuances are what I find exciting. There is so much great data available these days to help to locate new stores, but I still believe that ultimately, site selection is a scientific art, not an artistic science.”
He added that the key to business growth is understanding market data, including demographics, economic indicators and geographic factors, which impacts site selection decisions. “You’ve got to make sure that you have some great real estate for the long term. Remember that the real estate piece is a costly and critical part of the investment decision,” Gold explained.
While market data is important, Gold urges entrepreneurs not to let it be the only factor when considering potential business locations. “The data can direct you to where the best matches might be demographically, psychographically, and from a competitive landscape standpoint. But to truly understand the potential success of a site, you need to understand the nuances of the trade area and the sites you consider.”
In addition to helping entrepreneurs find great locations for their businesses, Gold enjoys traveling with his wife, McClain, to visit their four children, and spending quality time at their home in Gallatin, Tenn.
