Rajiv Dinakarin may be the man in charge at Bojangles , but that doesn ’ t mean he can ’ t still be found in the kitchen making biscuits alongside his employees . After all , that is where he got his start . Dinakarin , who is franchise owner / operator for Bojangles in both Milledgeville and Madison , has been with the popular restaurant chain since he was just 18 years old , first serving as a biscuit maker before working his way up through the company .
Originally from North Carolina , Dinakarin attended college at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta , where he majored in economics and was a member of the tennis team . As he continued making his way through the ranks at Bojangles , he eventually became a district manager . It was a desire to be in business for himself , though , which brought him to Baldwin County in 2018 . He bought the local store that year and eventually built another Bojangles in Madison in August of the same year .
The path he took has allowed Dinakarin to understand every aspect of the business and working in every part of it is something he still does to this day . “ The cool thing about my job is that I get I to wear many hats ,” he says “ Some days I ’ m in the kitchen cooking — frying chicken , making biscuits . Other days , I ’ m in the office doing payroll , doing office work , stuff like that . Other days I ’ m in the field going to chamber meetings , marketing , being a brand ambassador .”
And while no two days are alike , his favorite part of the job never changes .
“ The people ,” he says , are what he enjoys the most . “ Those are the people I get to work with and the people I get to serve , whether it ’ s my employees or my customers . I really enjoy getting to know the people around me , getting to know the people in the community . That ’ s something I really take a lot of pride in , and honestly , for me , it ’ s just a lot of fun .”
He has met some of his best friends , he says , when they came into the restaurant as customers and left as friends .
“ I really get to know people and develop relationships ,” he says .
Dinakarin is also a member of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce board , and he takes pride in working with a community that he says has been so welcoming to him . Particularly during the pandemic , he says he saw firsthand how businesses reached out to one another to help during a difficult time . He remembers the many people who used Bojangles for catering
services just as a way to offer their support .
“ I paid it forward ,” he says . “ I was supportive of them and their businesses , and we just took care of each other . That really meant a lot to me . That ’ s one of the biggest values of being part of the Chamber is you ’ re really part of the community , and when you need them , they ’ re there for you , and when they need you , you step up to the plate and you ’ re there for them .”
He believes Bojangles ’ presence in the community stands out , and he believes the same about their product .
“ I think we ’ ve got a very unique product ,” he says . “ When you think of fast food , you think burgers and fries , and that ’ s not us . We ’ ve got some really good Southern soul food , and I think that ’ s what attracts people to us , that we ’ ve got such a unique , flavorful menu .”
Moving forward , Dinakarin says he is really focusing hard on his company ’ s culture .
“ I really want to be a place people want to work , and I hope that I can create an environment inside my restaurant that people are excited to be in ,” he says . “ I hope they feel a part of something that ’ s much bigger than themselves .”
He says he wants to continue to expand and develop his business , and personally to be a better man and businessman in all aspects of life . And , he wants to continue to give back to Baldwin County .
“ I hope when it ’ s all said and done … they look at me as somebody that truly made the community a better place – a better place to do business , a better place to serve , and I hope I ’ m able to attract more people like myself because it ’ s really a special community . Everyone ’ s so welcoming . To me , it ’ s the definition of the South … It ’ s very hospitable . [ People ] love each other , they look out for one another , and I hope I can add to that and bring value to that .”
Dinakarin says he feels blessed to be acknowledged as one of Baldwin County ’ s “ 20 Under 40 ” and to share the stage with other great candidates from a place that means so much to him .
“ It ’ s a great honor ,” he says . “ Baldwin County and Milledgeville are where I got my start as a businessman and as a business owner , and so it always has a special place in my heart . Every time I pull into that parking lot , I think about all the good and the bad times , and so , regardless of where I go or how many restaurants I end up owning one day , Milledgeville is always going to be number one for me .”
Rajiv dinakarin
BY LEAH S . BETHEA
20 Under 40 2022 | Milledgeville Scene 35