Zaxby's to Open Dozens of New Locations in Eastern Virginia

Athens-based fast food chain Zaxby's will soon be expanding its locations in Virginia, according to a St. John and Partners press release. 

The company has recently signed a development agreement with Hoozax Food, Inc. and will be building 32 new locations in the Norfolk and Richmond, Va. areas over the next seven years.

Zaxby's, which operates more than 545 locations largely in the Southeast, was first opened in 1990 by CEO Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley. It offers dishes such as chicken fingers and buffalo wings.

At the present time, there are three Zaxby's in Virginia — in Roanoke, Salem and Williamsburg. One of the leaders of Hoozax, Duane Hoover, said he plans to build 15 restaurants around the Richmond area and 17 in the area comprised of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News.  

Hoover has been in the franchise business for more than 40 years. Hoover was one of the first Wnedy's franchise owners in the early 1970s, and once owned about 100 Wendy's. He said in the press release that he expects Zaxby's will experience the same kind of growth that Wendy's has.

"I became involved with Wendy’s during the early years of Dave Thomas’ leadership and had the good fortune of experiencing the brand’s growth," Hoover said in the release. "“I’ve been in this business a long time and understand what works for a brand.”

Zaxby's was also recognized by market research firm Technomic as having the fifth highest sales among fast food places in the nation. The company was also recognized for its customer service and for being a leader in chicken sales.