May 18, 2013

Zaxby's

Zaxby's, Coca-Cola Partnership Stays Strong

Zaxby’s, a Southeastern favorite for chicken fingers and wings, announced it renewed a multiyear beverage agreement with The Coca-Cola Company.

The two Georgia-based companies continue their longstanding partnership together through an extension of a previously renewed agreement in...

Zaxby's Franchisee Joins Up with Snagajob for Hiring Help

Snagajob, the largest hourly employment network for job seekers and employers, and Zax, Inc., Zaxby’s largest franchise group comprising 98 locations, announced a strategic partnership to help the franchise group recruit and hire even more high-quality hourly employees, from counter and...

Actors Grier, Payne Star in New Zaxby's Campaign

Wimpy. Tongue torch. Insane. Those words might not seem like a mouthful, but toss them with Zaxby’s Boneless Wings, and they’ll have taste buds talking. The chain’s Boneless Wings Meal gives wing lovers a way to explore the flavors of Zaxby’s...

Zaxby's Donates $125,000 to Expand Georgia School

Zaxby’s Franchising made a $125,000 donation to Prince Avenue Christian School (PACS) in Athens, Georgia. The gift will support the school’s new building campaign to develop additional facilities, programs, and technology that will increase academic opportunities for its growing...

Zaxby's Appoints a New VP of Talent Management

Zaxby’s announces the appointment of Richard Fletcher to vice president of talent management for Zaxby’s Franchising Inc. (ZFI). Fletcher has been with ZFI since 2003, most recently serving as senior director of learning and organizational development, where he oversaw creation and...

Zaxby's Promotes Gamble to VP of Brand Development

Zaxby’s announces an “indescribably good” promotion of Stephanie P. Gamble (née Struble) to vice president of brand development for Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. (ZFI). Gamble has played an integral role in the development of many of Zaxby’s award-winning signature menu...

Zaxby's Grants Wishes as Part of Make-A-Wish Alliance

Zaxby’s is increasing its commitment to Make-A-Wish in honor of the thousands of children the restaurant chain serves every year.

As part of its second sponsorship, Zaxby’s will help grant the wishes of 45 children with life-threatening medical conditions.

“We...

Zaxby's Asks Fans to Weigh In on Big Zax Snak Meal Debate

Is it a Snak? Is it a Meal? Zaxby’s, the Southeast favorite, is asking guests to join in on the Big Zax Snak Meal online debate. Zaxby’s has teamed up with NFL linebacker Clay Matthews to kick off the conversation in the chain’s ongoing “indescribably good” ad...

Zaxby’s Recruits Singer Lee Ann Womack to Promote LTOs

It’s a summer of celebration for Zaxby’s guests as the chain returns two fan favorites, The Roadhouse Zalad and Birthday Cake Milkshake, as part of its latest limited-time-only promotion. Zaxby’s casts country music star Lee Ann Womack to promote the much-loved menu items in...

Zaxby’s Expands Footprint to 13th State, Louisiana

Zaxby’s, a Southeast favorite for chicken fingers and buffalo wings, and one of the nation’s fastest growing restaurant chains, is spreading its wings to its 13th state. The fast-casual restaurant will open its first location in West Monroe, Louisiana, today, Monday, July 2, and...

Hoozax Foods to Become One of Zaxby’s Largest Franchisees

Zaxby’s announced today that it signed a multi-unit development agreement with Hoozax Foods, Inc. to open 32 Zaxby’s restaurants in the Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia, areas within the next seven years.

Based in Suwanee, Georgia, Hoozax Foods, Inc., is led by Duane Hoover and...

Fast Casual Strengthens, Led by Panera, Five Guys

Fast-casual chains strengthened their gains on the overall restaurant industry, with the top 150 fast-casual chains growing 8.4 percent to $21.5 billion in 2011, a faster rate than in 2010 (6.6 percent). In comparison, 2011 sales growth for the ...

Zaxby’s Appoints Blake Bailey to CFO

Zaxby’s announces the appointment of Blake Bailey to chief financial officer for Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc (ZFI). Bailey succeeds Tony Townley, founding partner with Zach McLeroy, chief executive officer of ZFI.

Townley is relinquishing the title of CFO for his new title,...

Celebrities Chris Kattan, Jill Hennessy Star in Zaxby’s Ads

Zaxby’s fanatics can once again enjoy the wildly popular Zensation Zalad and the new Brownie Batter Milkshake as part of the chain’s latest limited-time-only promotion. Appearing in two TV spots each, Zaxby’s has enlisted television personalities Jill Hennessy and Chris Kattan...

Zaxby's Lands On Prominent List for Customer Satisfaction

Recognized for the first time, Zaxby’s has been ranked No. 7 in the Top 10 Excellent Large Fast-Food Chains with 500 or more U.S. units in the recently published Quick-Track study conducted by Sandelman & Associates in 2011. Ranked alongside chains like Starbucks and Panera Bread, 51...

Zaxby's Overhauls Design, Rolls Out 'Farmhouse' Look

Zaxby’s unveiled its newest store design, an overhaul of the exterior and refresh of the interior that will debut in two corporate-owned locations in February.

Zach McLeroy, cofounder and CEO of Athens, Georgia–based Zaxby’s, says this is the third time the company has...

“SNL” Actress Rachel Dratch is Hungry for Zaxby’s

Zaxby’s, at the request of its beloved fanatics, is returning its Fried Pickles and featuring its Chicken Finger Sandwich Meal as part of the chain’s latest promotion.

The much-loved menu items will be promoted by the chain’s newest fanatic, Rachel Dratch, best known for...

Zaxby's Honored for Commitment to Crew

Zaxby’s Franchising Inc. of Athens, Georgia, was named a 2011 Champion of Learning in recognition of its commitment to workplace learning and understanding of its impact on organizational and employee performance. Zaxby’s employs 175 in Athens and specializes in prepared-at-order...

Is Your Brand Star Struck?
September 2011

Zaxby’s has Doris Roberts, Terry Bradshaw, and Ryan Stiles. Subway has Apolo Anton Ohno, Michael Phelps, and Blake Griffin. Now Starbucks and Lady Gaga are teaming up. The question remains, however, whether star power in a quick serve’s marketing efforts can add up to big sales....

Interpreting the Top 100
June 2011

Every year, many of us anxiously await the release of Technomic’s Fast Casual Top 100 report. Technomic’s Darren Tristano, one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, gave me an interview and a sneak peek at the report. Here are his thoughts, followed by a few of my own....