{{Promotional|article|date=June 2025|type=advertising language}}{{short description|American chain of fast casual restaurants}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Zaxbys | trade_name = Zaxbys | logo = Zaxby's logo.png | logo_size = 200px | image = Zaxby's, Keystone Heights, Florida.jpg | image_caption = Zaxbys in Keystone Heights, Florida | former_name = {{ubl|Zax (1990–1994)|Zaxby's (1994–2024)}} | type = Private | key_people = Bernard Acoca (CEO) <br /> Zach McLeroy (Chairman, Former CEO, Co-Founder)<br /> Tony Townley (Former Chief Strategy Officer, Co-Founder) | area_served = United States | industry = Restaurants | genre = Fast casual | products = Chicken Fingers, french fries, Texas toast, 12 Signature Sauces | foundation = {{Start date and age|1990|3|df=yes}} | founders = Zach McLeroy<br />Tony Townley | locations = 941 (2022) | location = Athens, Georgia, U.S. | homepage = {{URL|http://www.zaxbys.com}} }}
'''Zaxby's SPE Franchisor LLC''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Absolutely Craveable Chicken, Zalads & Zappetizers |url=https://www.zaxbys.com/ |access-date=2026-05-26 |website=Zaxbys |language=en}}</ref> doing business as '''Zaxbys''' (formerly known as '''Zax''' and '''Zaxby's''') is an American chain of fast casual restaurants offering chicken fingers, sandwiches, chicken wings, appetizers, and salads. The chain operates primarily in the Southern United States and has more than 900 locations. Most Zaxbys restaurants are owned and operated through franchising.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://greysteel.com/sites/default/files/Spotlight%20on%20Zaxby%27s-final.pdf |title=Spotlight on Zaxby's |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=October 2016 |website=greysteel.com |publisher=Greysteel |access-date=May 28, 2018 |quote=Zaxby’s primarily operates a franchise model with 145 corporate-operated locations. |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104225543/https://www.greysteel.com/sites/default/files/Spotlight%20on%20Zaxby%27s-final.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==History and locations== [[File:A Zaxby's chicken restaurant in Hiawassee, Georgia, United States 02.jpg|left|thumb|Zaxbys in Hiawassee, Georgia]] The first Zaxbys was established in Statesboro, Georgia, in March 1990, near the Georgia Southern University campus, by childhood friends Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Healy |first1=Jim |title=Business Focus - Zaxby's expansion plans |url=https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/business-focus-zaxbys-expansion-plans/ |access-date=5 February 2022 |work=Statesboro Herald |date=November 30, 2020}}</ref> the first restaurant was known as "Zax" before becoming Zaxby's.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zaxby's marks 20 years |url=https://www.redandblack.com/news/zaxby-s-marks-20-years/article_7bd75514-55aa-5903-8efe-212b99c87b97.html |website=The Red & Black |access-date=9 March 2026 |location=Athens, GA |date=July 21, 2010}}</ref>
The company's first restaurant outside of Georgia was opened in September 1994 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In 2013, they opened locations in Utah, the first expansion outside of the southeastern United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Hayley |title=A billion-dollar fast-food chain no one ever talks about is taking over America |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/zaxbys-is-a-billion-dollar-fast-food-chain-2015-8 |access-date=5 February 2022 |work=Business Insider |publisher=Axel Springer SE |date=August 5, 2015}}</ref>
In 2022, Zaxbys appointed Bernard Acoca as its first non-founder CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lalley |first1=Heather |date=2021-10-26 |title=Zaxby's hires Bernard Acoca as CEO |url=https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/zaxbys-hires-bernard-acoca-ceo |access-date=2022-02-25 |website=Restaurant Business |language=en}}</ref> Zach McLeroy remained as chairman, while Tony Townley exited the company following its acquisition by Goldman Sachs in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ewen |first=Beth |title=Out as CEO, Zaxby's Founder Reflects on 30 Years of Growth |url=https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/out-as-ceo-zaxby-s-founder-reflects-on-30-years-of-growth/article_74315e66-3b44-11ec-9cbf-93ae92b9d951.html |access-date=2022-02-25 |website=franchisetimes.com |date=November 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2024, Zaxbys announced expansion plans for 2025, including a store in Cambridge, Maryland, the first location in the state. More locations are slated to open along the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the coming years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Canham-Clyne |first1=Aneurin |title=Zaxbys is coming to Maryland |url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/zaxbys-is-coming-to-maryland-eastern-shore-2025/729637/ |access-date=18 October 2024 |work=Restaurant Dive |date=October 11, 2024}}</ref> As of 2025, Zaxbys had more than 970 locations throughout the U.S.<ref name="Banner2025">{{cite news |last1=Boteler |first1=Cody |title=Zaxbys chicken chain is coming to the Baltimore region |url=https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/food-drink/zaxbys-chicken-baltimore-chains-BPN75ROKOJCA3JQ4EATBHWJOLE/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=The Baltimore Banner |date=22 May 2025}}</ref>
==Menu and themes== Zaxbys is a fast casual restaurant offering Chicken Fingerz, chicken wings, fried shrimp, sandwiches, and salads.<ref name="EaterVegas">{{cite news |last1=Karel |first1=Janna |title=Georgia's Favorite Fast-Food Chicken Chain Zaxbys Expands to Las Vegas |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2025/4/15/24409080/southern-favorite-fast-food-chicken-zaxbys-open-las-vegas |access-date=4 May 2025 |publisher=Eater Las Vegas |date=15 April 2025}}</ref> Dipping sauces are offered with chicken finger orders, and range from mild, to the moderate "Zax Sauce", to the intensely hot "Nuclear". Dining rooms at Zaxbys restaurants are decorated with assorted whimsical objects and signs, which often vary in theme by location and region.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} Some locations in college towns feature objects and decorations related to the local university. Similarly, citrus-industry themed decorations line the walls at a location in Orlando, Florida.
thumb|left|upright=0.7|Zax sauce
Since the December 2013 announcement that Zaxbys would begin to offer the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine at their locations, the decor in the fountain drink dispensing area has been dominated by that distinctive dispenser and other Coca-Cola branding.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Extra Mile for Freestyle |url=http://herecomestheshrink.com/tag/coke/ |work=Here Comes the Shrink |date=September 11, 2014 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=July 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729223132/https://herecomestheshrink.com/tag/coke/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.clintonchronicle.com/breaking-news/zaxbys-saturday-today|title=Zaxby's Saturday & Today {{!}} My Clinton News|website=www.clintonchronicle.com|language=en|access-date=2017-03-23|archive-date=2017-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324175713/http://www.clintonchronicle.com/breaking-news/zaxbys-saturday-today|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The company reintroduced milkshakes to its menu in 2025.<ref name="USATodayMay2025">{{cite news |last1=Hauari |first1=Gabe |title=Zaxbys milkshakes are back! How to score a half-off deal on the sweet treat |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/05/19/zaxbys-milkshakes-back-half-off-deal/83674564007/ |access-date=4 June 2025 |work=USA Today |date=19 May 2025}}</ref>
==Products== Zaxbys sells three sauces at Walmart, Winn-Dixie and Amazon as of July 2024.<ref name="fox5">{{cite news |last1=Atlanta Digital Team |title=Zaxbys now selling signature sauces in stores |url=https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/zaxbys-now-selling-signature-sauces-stores |access-date=22 April 2025 |agency=Fox 5 Atlanta |date=17 July 2024}}</ref>
The company offers an app-based points-for-dollars loyalty program called Zax Rewardz.<ref name="RDOct2022">{{cite news |last1=Canham-Clyne |first1=Aneurin |title=Zaxby's revamps loyalty program and mobile app |url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/zaxbys-adds-loyalty-program-rewardz-app/633780/ |access-date=22 April 2025 |publisher=Restaurant Dive |date=11 October 2022}}</ref>
==Advertising== In October 2008, the video game ''Midnight Club: Los Angeles'' featured Zaxbys as a restaurant on the streets of Los Angeles. California, notably, is not home to any Zaxbys locations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zaxby's Ads Featured In Video Game |url=http://www.thefranchisemall.com/news/articles/21617-0.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503131200/http://www.thefranchisemall.com/news/articles/21617-0.htm |archive-date=May 3, 2010 |work=The Franchise Mall |date=October 15, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2016}}</ref>
In 2025, Zaxbys featured actor Omar Epps as The Sauce Boss<ref name="AdAge2025">{{cite news |last1=Wheless |first1=Erika |title=Zaxbys' CMO on the chain's new 'Sauce Boss' campaign with Omar Epps |url=https://adage.com/brand-marketing/food-beverage/aa-zaxbys-omar-epps-sauce-boss/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |magazine=Ad Age |date=23 April 2025}}</ref> to promote the chain's signature sauces.<ref name="MD2025">{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Chris |title=Q&A Zaxbys' CMO on breaking through the chicken category with 'sauce' |url=https://www.marketingdive.com/news/zaxbys-cmo-breaking-through-chicken-category-sauce/745923/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |publisher=Marketing Dive |date=23 April 2025}}</ref>
==Sponsorships== thumb|upright=1.1|John Wes Townley's Zaxby's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series truck in 2013
Zaxbys is "The Official Chicken of Sports Fanz" and has collective intellectual property rights at nearly 30 Division I colleges through 2015 through a deal with their football and basketball teams. The sponsorship, which was made through IMG College, includes 25 states, seven conferences, and the entire area of Zaxby's locations. Included are ten colleges from the Southeastern Conference, six colleges from the Atlantic Coast Conference, three colleges from Conference USA, two each from the Big Ten Conference and Sun Belt Conference, and one college from the Big 12 Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imgcollege.com/news/zaxby-s-scores-big-with-major-college-sports-spons|title=IMG College - Zaxby's Scores Big With Major College Sports Sponsorship|website=www.imgcollege.com|access-date=2017-03-23|archive-date=2017-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324085349/http://www.imgcollege.com/news/zaxby-s-scores-big-with-major-college-sports-spons|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, Zaxbys has a separate agreement with Clemson University to provide brand presence at all football and men's and women's basketball games.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2016/12/army_vs_north_texas_zaxbys_hea.html|title=Army defeats North Texas in overtime at Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl: Score, stats, recap|work=OregonLive.com|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en-US}}</ref>
Zaxbys was also the sponsor of the Heart of Dallas Bowl, played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2013/05/08/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Zaxbys.aspx|title=Playing Chicken: Georgia-Based Zaxby's Signs Sponsorship Deal With 25 Colleges|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com|date=8 May 2013 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-23}}</ref>
Zaxbys was a sponsor for Joey Clanton in the No. 09 JTG Daugherty Racing truck in the NASCAR Truck Series. Zaxbys also sponsored the late John Wes Townley (son of co-founder Tony) in NASCAR's Truck Series and Xfinity Series, and Townley's Athenian Motorsports.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 18, 2012 |title=John Wes Townley Joins Red Horse Racing |url=http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=52846 |access-date=October 11, 2013 |work=Speedway Media}}</ref> John Wes retired from competition after 2016, thus ending the sponsorship.
Zaxbys is a supporter of Make-A-Wish.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/zaxbys-teams-make-wish-third-year|title=Zaxby's Teams Up with Make-A-Wish for Third Year|last=tamara|date=2013-12-02|work=QSR magazine|access-date=2017-03-23|language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * List of chicken restaurants
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Zaxby's}} * [http://www.zaxbys.com/ Zaxbys web site]
{{Establishments serving chicken}} {{Fast-food chains of the United States}} {{Atlanta companies}} {{Portal bar|Food|companies|Georgia (U.S. state)}}
Category:1990 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Chicken chains of the United States Category:Companies based in Athens, Georgia Category:Economy of the Southeastern United States Category:Fast casual restaurants Category:Fast-food chains of the United States Category:Fast-food franchises Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants Category:Privately held companies based in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States Category:Restaurants established in 1990