Beloved Southern Fast Food Zaxby's Chain Opening More Than 50 Locations
Just last month Zaxby's made headlines when the company celebrated its 35th anniversary by bringing back the fast food chain's fan-favorite, hand-spun milkshakes which were removed from the menu in 2017.
"At Zaxby's, we believe every great celebration deserves something sweet - and what better way to mark our 35th birthday than by bringing back our fan-favorite milkshakes, including the Birthday Cake flavor, with a half off deal that's just as sweet," Patrick Schwing, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Zaxby's said in a statement at the time. "This is our way of celebrating our loyal fans who have been with us since the beginning. As the Sauce Boss says, Happy Birthday to us all!"
That's not the only thing Zaxby's has going for it as the summer draws near. According to a new report from the USA Today, the beloved Southern fast food chain plans to add more than 50 new restaurants this year while attempting to surpass 1,000 restaurants.
The Atlanta-based company, founded in 1990, currently operates over 950 locations in 17 states, according to its website. The fast food chicken chain specializes in serving "delicious Chicken Fingerz, Zalads, wings, and signature sauces with Southern hospitality and a modern twist," the company's website reads.
The company's primary market is the Southeast, but it's beginning a westward expansion with recent openings in Nevada and Arizona. It's also expanded North with more openings in New Jersey.
"In addition to these new market ventures, Zaxbys has continued to expand in previously established Southeast markets in 2025 with new locations through Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee and more," the company told USA TODAY via email.
The USA Today revealed the 16 locations that have already opened this year:
- Cochran, GA: Opened June 2
- Spartanburg, SC: Opened May 26
- Richmond Hill, GA: Opened May 12
- Bristol, TN: Opened May 12
- Vincennes, IN: Opened April 21
- Las Vegas, NV: Opened April 14
- Charlotte, NC: Opened April 7
- Chapel Hill, NC: Opened April 2
- Locust, NC: Opened March 17
- Leavenworth, KS: Opened March 3
- Spartanburg, SC: Opened Feb. 24
- Valdosta, GA: Opened Feb. 24
- Spartanburg, SC: Opened Feb. 3
- Rocky Mount, VA: Opened Jan. 27
- Brookhaven, GA: Opened Jan. 20
- Natchez, MI: Opened Jan. 6
The company also announced it added a location in Columbus, IN on June 16 and plans to open another location in Eustis, FL on June 23.
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