Zaxby’s, a Southeast favorite for chicken fingers and Buffalo wings, has its success rooted in a simple operating philosophy developed by its founders that has matured into the company’s mission statement — “Consistently create encore experiences that enrich lives one person at a time.” The fast-casual chain built its business, which now includes more than 540 restaurants, on providing the freshest chicken fingers, Buffalo wings, sandwiches and more in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. That statement is not only the driving force behind the company’s pursuit to provide fresh, delicious food and excellent customer service, it’s also what helps the company create a vibrant atmosphere where employees enjoy working.
The restaurants showcase Zaxby’s unique interior design, featuring a bright, open interior décor, complemented by vintage memorabilia and signage. Locations range from 2,900-3,500 square feet and provide comfortable booths and tables, with a seating capacity averaging 70. Zaxby’s also provides drive-thru services to meet the needs of customers on the go.
Currently, Zaxby’s operates in 12 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
An alternative to fast food, Zaxby’s offers prepared-at-order chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches and salads. Zaxby’s most popular items are its hand-breaded Chicken Fingerz and Jumbo Buffalo Wings, smothered in a choice of nine sauces with names like Wimpy, Tongue Torch, Nuclear and Insane. The menu also offers innovative Zappetizers — Onion Rings, Tater Chips (home-style potato chips), Spicy Fried Mushrooms and Fried White Cheddar Bites, as well as a variety of Party Platterz perfect for any family gathering or special occasion.
Zaxby’s also offers three salads, or Zalads: The House, The Blue and The Caesar. All of Zaxby’s Zalads offer more chicken, unique ingredients, such as French-fried onions, fresh veggies and juicy tomatoes and are larger than most salads offered elsewhere. Each is prepared with chicken, three kinds of lettuce and a variety of toppings. All Zalads are assembled at the time the order is placed, versus being pre-made and stored in a cooler.
Zaxby’s is a “quick-casual” restaurant chain headquartered in Athens, Ga. Zaxby’s opened its first restaurant in Statesboro, Ga., in March 1990, and by July 2001 opened its 100th location in Jacksonville, Fla. Zaxby’s celebrated its 200th restaurant opening in its hometown of Athens, Ga., in May 2004, and in December 2005 observed its 300th opening in Dallas, Ga. In October 2007 Zaxby’s opened its 400th location in Macon, Ga. and in May 2010, opened its 500th restaurant in Tifton, Ga.
An Idea Leads to Success
Zaxby’s founders Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley looked around their community and saw plenty of fast food or sit-down dining options but felt something was missing. They decided to provide the freshest chicken fingers and Buffalo wings in town. That hatched a simple idea to create a fun atmosphere where food quality is of the utmost importance. In 1990, they opened the first Zaxby’s in Statesboro, Ga. The concept, one of the early “quick-casual” restaurants, proved successful.
McLeroy and Townley opened four more restaurants, and in 1994, they began to franchise the brand. The food and service were so popular, the Athens, Ga.-based chain boomed to more than 540 units in 12 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and continues to grow. For more information, visit www.zaxbys.com.