Floyd D. Young Jr., founder of the Charlotte-based food-service company FDY Inc., died Oct. 27, the company announced last week. He was 81 years old.
Young was born in San Augustine, Texas, and began his career as catering director and baker at the only minority community center in Indianapolis, Indiana. He launched FDY in 1982, at one point providing food services for nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Johnson C. Smith University.
“Our community has lost a great man who cared more about the well-being of others than himself,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in a statement. “He was a model of courage and dignity for all Charlotteans.”
Young attended Prairie View A & M College (University) and graduated from Indiana State University and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. In addition, he completed advanced studies in food service management, sanitation and safety.
His business expanded from colleges and universities to include franchise operations in airports in Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Norfolk. FDY opened the first Bojangles’ in the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and in Washington, D.C., at Union Station.
In 2011, Young and his wife, Norma, received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which honors North Carolina residents who have made significant contributions to the state.
Former Mayor Harvey Gantt called Young a “friend, confidante, and a great businessman and leader.”
“There was never any doubt that Floyd loved his family and loved the business family he created in FDY,” Gantt said in a statement. “His love for his church reflected his faith and his values. I will miss him greatly and all that he has done for the Charlotte community.”
