CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kenneth M. Koziol has joined Bojangles’ Inc. as its new chief restaurant support officer. In this role, Koziol will assume responsibility for supply chain, quality assurance, strategy, menu development, innovation and information technology for the Southern-style restaurant chain.

Koziol joins Bojangles’ from Panera Bread Co., where he was most recently executive vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and international. He had been with the bakery-cafe brand since April 2015. Prior to Panera, Koziol spent more than 20 years in senior leadership roles with McDonald’s Corp., eventually rising to executive vice president and worldwide chief restaurant officer.

“I am thrilled that a restaurant industry leader of Ken’s caliber has joined the Bojangles’ family at this exciting time for our brand,” said Jose Armario, CEO of Bojangles’. “Ken’s extensive strategy development background, QSR business acumen and industry experience will add tremendous value to us as we prepare the groundwork for our long-term growth strategy.”

Founded in 1977, Bojangles’ serves Southern-style recipes, including biscuit breakfast sandwiches, fried chicken, grits, dirty rice and iced tea. The company operates more than 750 locations across 12 states. In November 2018, Durational Capital Management LP and The Jordan Co. L.P. entered a definitive agreement to acquire Bojangles’ for $594 million.