Fast-casual chicken restaurant concept, Zaxby's Franchising Inc., announced it will open its 700th restaurant on August 17, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The new restaurant will operate under ZAX Inc.—the largest franchisee in the Zaxby’s organization—and will join five existing Zaxby’s locations that serve the greater Charlotte area.

An array of grand-opening activities is planned in recognition of the 700th restaurant milestone. Highlighting Charlotte’s affinity for NASCAR, the restaurant will host a meet-and-greet on opening day with Zaxby’s Racing’s NASCAR Driver, Number 25 John Wes Townley. The first 100 guests also will receive Zaxby’s coveted “deck of cards,” whereby recipients can redeem one free menu item per week during the restaurant’s first year of operation.

“Although Zaxby’s is expanding outside of the Southeast, we’re excited to continue adding locations in the Charlotte market, especially because it’s close to home,” says Zaxby’s cofounder and executive vice president Tony Townley. “This area has been very good to us, and we’re proud to serve these loyal customers and their communities.”

Zaxby’s is on track to open 80 stores in new and existing markets in 2015, which marks its 25th year in business. The company plans to continue this momentum as it introduces the brand to new regions outside its established Southeast footprint.