We tried fried chicken from 2 of the South's fiercest rival chains — and the winner was clear

In the fast-paced, cut-throat chicken industry, it's hard to set yourself apart. 

However, a regional chain from North Carolina isn't content to stay in the South any longer. 

Bojangles', with 728 locations nationwide, is on an expansion spree. But, if the chain wants to catch on outside the Carolinas, it needs to take on international players — like the ubiquitous Church's Chicken, with more than 1,700 locations worldwide. 

In an effort to see if Bojangles' could keep up with the flock, we visited Bojangles' and Church's as part of our whirlwind chicken tour. 

SEE ALSO: We visited the regional chain that Southerners say is better than In-N-Out and Shake Shack — here's the verdict

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Bojangles' was founded in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We visited one in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Walking in calls to mind the cleanly, sterile taupe terrain of an old-school Wendy's.

Ordering is a speedy business — though not a stealthy one. Cashiers relay orders over a speaker system to the kitchen, who quickly put together your meal. It's surprisingly efficient, taking less than five minutes start to finish.