Since stepping into the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Bojangles, Reese Stewart has been doing far more than just crunching numbers. Sure, finances are his bread and butter, but he thrives on tackling the kind of big-picture challenges that shape Bojangles’ future.
When Reese arrived in 2019, Bojangles had just been acquired by two private equity firms, meaning big changes were in the works. To get a more well-rounded, holistic view of the company’s strengths and weaknesses, he expanded the Business Insights and Operational Finance teams. His philosophy? You can’t build a thriving financial strategy without first understanding the business drivers and overall health of the organization. Reese is a firm believer in investing in his team and setting them up for success, so they can, in turn, help Bojangles reach new heights.
That same mindset drove Bojangles’ expansion plan. Reese and his team weren’t just crunching the numbers, they were actively working with other departments to ensure the process was strategic and well-executed in real time. That hands-on and collaborative approach is paying off, and our growth is underway and gaining momentum.
For Reese, financial strategy isn’t just about dollars and cents, it’s about ensuring the company’s resources (time, talent, focus, energy, and capital) are being directed where they’ll make the biggest impact. His ultimate goal is to maximize the organization’s value and deliver results for all of Bojangles’ stakeholders. That’s also why he takes a step back to see the bigger picture, leaving the details to his trusted team. He believes in delegating by objective rather than task, making sure every effort aligns with the company’s long-term vision.
By now, you might be wondering where Reese acquired all of his great financial insights and strategies. Born and raised in Southern California, he originally had his sights set on a medical career when he started at UCLA. But somewhere along the way, he realized his true passion was outside of medicine, so he shifted gears to study economics with a business emphasis. That pivot led him into public accounting, where he spent 14 years honing his expertise; first at a regional firm and later at Deloitte US. Eventually, the restaurant industry called his name, ultimately bringing him to Charlotte to take on his role at Bojangles.
Reese says, “Making the leap from public accounting to the restaurant world was one of the best decisions I’ve made. At Bojangles, I’m not just managing numbers; I’m working with a dynamic team, and we’re helping shape a growing company.”
And there you have it – a look beyond the numbers reveals Bojangles’ broader goals and the people who help shape and achieve them. Reese and his team are a big part of the company’s recent growth and success, and with a continued focus on the big picture, they will help guide us to an even brighter future.