Chicken quick-service restaurant chain Zaxby’s is accelerating its push beyond its traditional Southeastern stronghold, using a flexible restaurant model and a growing franchise network to expand across the Midwest and Northeast after surpassing the 1,000-location milestone nationwide.
According to the company, Zaxby’s achieved an average unit volume (AUV) of $2.85 million in 2025 and now operates more than 1,000 restaurants across the United States, marking a significant milestone in its national growth strategy.
The brand’s latest expansion efforts are centred on new markets in the Midwest and Northeast, where it has been steadily building its footprint through a market-by-market development approach focused on experienced operators, adaptable real estate opportunities and rising consumer demand for chicken-based concepts.
A major milestone in that strategy came in January when Zaxby’s opened its first location within the Chicago DMA in Plainfield, Illinois. The company has also opened restaurants in New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania, while its first New York location is scheduled to debut this summer.
“Zaxby’s continued expansion across the Midwest and Northeast signals a brand entering its next chapter with stronger infrastructure, broader recognition, and a development strategy built for scale,” the company said in its latest growth update.
The expansion follows several years of investment in operational modernization, franchise development and national brand-building efforts designed to support growth in increasingly competitive markets.
A key driver of that growth has been the rollout of the company’s Modern Farmhouse restaurant design, which offers multiple development formats including smaller-footprint restaurants, drive-thru-focused units and non-traditional locations. The prototype allows franchisees to pursue opportunities across suburban, urban and mixed-use environments while improving throughput and operational efficiency.
The concept has become central to the chain’s franchise strategy. Earlier this year, Zaxby’s said the new format was helping fuel expansion by providing greater flexibility in site selection and reducing development costs for operators.
“Zaxby’s is at a pivotal moment in its history,” said Bert Lane, Vice President of Franchise Sales at Zaxby’s. “With more than 1,000 locations, combined with strong franchise demand and a modernized operating platform, the brand has built meaningful momentum. The focus going into 2026 is on building the right markets with the right partners while continuing to strengthen the foundation for sustained momentum across all aspects of the brand.”
The company is also leaning on national marketing initiatives to boost awareness in new territories. Recent campaigns targeting Gen Z and millennial consumers have helped introduce the brand beyond its traditional Southern customer base, supporting franchise development efforts in emerging markets.
Founded in 1990 in Statesboro, Georgia, Zaxby’s is known for its chicken finger meals, wings, salads and signature sauces. The chain currently operates in 22 states and is targeting more than 60 new restaurant openings in 2026, with a longer-term objective of reaching 100 new openings annually. Key development markets include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Florida, alongside non-traditional venues such as military bases, college campuses and travel hubs.
For franchisees, the company’s latest expansion wave reflects a brand seeking to transform from a regional favorite into a national chicken player, backed by modern restaurant formats, growing consumer awareness and an increasingly diversified development pipeline.
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